Glorious Grindelwald in Switzerland
Grindelwald is one of the most established resorts in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. It seems to lie in its own little hollow, and has over the years become one of the largest ski resorts in the Jungfrau region. Ski holidays in Grindelwald have been popular for a long time both with Brits and Europeans. Maybe this is what gives the resort its international appeal. Family ski holidays in Grindelwald remains the main focus of the resort, and catered ski chalets in Grindelwald reflect the resorts emphasis on this kind of holiday.
Apartments and Chalets in Grindelwald
Ski chalets in Grindelwald can be found scattered throughout the resort. Larger resorts, often have a larger variety of accommodation to choice from, and quality accommodation is what Grindelwald is all about. Self-catering ski chalets in Grindelwald is the most popular way to enjoy the resort, but apartments are also available for rent during both the summer and winter season. Skiing in Grindelwald is indeed popular, but many have discovered the beauty of the region, and return in the summer.
The ski resort of Grindelwald has a lot to offer during the summer, and the high standard of the local services will not let you down. You will still find the same fantastic chalets and apartments will be available for you to rent, but you may not want to light the fire place. This little enclave of the Swiss alps can get surprisingly warm, and you are likely to return home with a nice suntan.
Best Things to See or Do in Grindelwald
Excellent road and railway connections have made the region of Grindelwald accessible all year around, and travellers flock here to enjoy the alpine landscape. As a matter of fact, travellers have been coming here since the middle of the 18th century. At first, most people came here to enjoy the fresh mountain air, but the crowd is somewhat different now. Adventurous sport activities attract visitors to the region, and you are never short of something to do.
Skiing in Grindelwald is the main reason visitors flock to the area. Grindelwald has two main ski areas, and a staggering 160 kilometres of pistes. The slopes are served by around 30 lifts reaching the height of 2,500 metres. The ski season in Grindelwald starts around mid November, but you may have to wait a little bit longer for the novice slopes to be open. You can normally enjoy skiing in Grindel up until mid April.
Who goes skiing in Grindelwald? For a higher altitude resort, Grindelwald is surprisingly family friendly, and you will find a good range of novice slopes. Thanks to the high altitude, snowboarding and skiing can be done throughout the season without problems. Also, as it is fairly close to major airports, Grindelwald is the perfect destination for short ski breaks such as weekends. Berne airport is only one hour away.
Going Self-Catering in Grindelwald
The most popular accommodation choice is Grindelwald is self-catering chalets and apartments. You can easily pick up all of the neccessaties of life in the town, but there are plenty of places for you to eat out and enjoy the ambiance of Grindelwald. During the winter, it is a real snow holiday paradise, and during the summer, you may just want to make the most of the light evenings to enjoy the stunning views of the alpine landscape.
During your stay in Grindelwald, you should make sure that you don't miss out on the evening descends. There is something special about skiing down a mountain lit up by flaming torches and enjoying a fondue at the bottom of your descent. Some say that this is the most romantic resort in the Swiss alps, and it could well be true. For those who would like to dance the night away, two night clubs can be found in the centre of town. However, more sophisticated and sedate activities such as fine dining can also be enjoyed.
Summer and Snow Holidays in Grindelwald
The summer season in Grindelwald is as equally popular as the winter season, and often the same crowd shows up in the resort during the summer. It is now time to take advantage of what this super active resort has to offer during the summer. You will be spoiled for choice if you are a hiker as the region offers over 300 kilometres of hiking trails. The varied landscape allows you to venture out on some of Europe's highest altitude hikes, but if you happen to feel less adventurous, there are easier trails for you to enjoy. One of the easiest hikes allows you to take in the spectacular views towards the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch.
Grindelwald can offer you some spectacular walks, and towards the end of the village lies Glacier Gorge. You don't have to be an experienced hiker to complete the trail, and it is well worth taking a day to explore the gorge. It is a fantastic area of natural beauty taking your over man made bridges and tunnels. One of the best reasons to visit the ski resort of Grindelwald during the summer time.
The world snow festival also takes place in Grindelwald in January every year. Teams from allover the world travel to the village to create figures and sculptures made from meter high pre-carved out snow blocks . It is one of the busiest times in the resort, so make sure you book your self-catering holiday rental in plenty of time if you would like to visit during January. The snow bike championships take place in Grindelwald in February. It is a pretty unique experience and open to the public by pre-purchased tickets.
All in all, the Swiss holiday resort of Grindelwald is both the perfect winter and summer holiday destination. Once you have experienced a stay in this family friendly Swiss village, you are bound to want to come back. The truth, it has so much to offer you can't fit it all in during one visit. As it is easy to get to, it is the perfect location for both summer and winter short breaks.