Grindelwald is a lovely village in the Swiss Alps and one of the country’s most popular destinations for winter trips. With some of the best skiing in the region, dozens of kilometers of sledding runs, and gondola rides to many of Switzerland’s tallest summits, Grindewald is truly the perfect playground for all mountaineers and winter sports enthusiasts.
Even if you’d rather spend your time indoors, Grindelwald has a wide selection of fabulous hotels with amazing spa centers, as well as loads of excellent restaurants, and a great apres-ski scene. It’s one of the best places to visit in Switzerland in the winter, and this detailed guide lists all the reasons why you spend your winter vacation in Grindelwald, Switzerland!
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Winter Weather in Grindelwald
Grindelwald village is situated high up in the Bernese Alps, so it gets very cold in the winter. There’s lots of snow and temperatures often drop below zero degrees Celsius, even during the day. The village has an average of 25 snowfall days out of the year, and that equates to approximately 292 centimeters of snow throughout the winter season.
The record for the highest amount of snowfall in Grindelwald is 54 centimeters, which is knee-deep snow in the village and there’s even more snowfall on the mountains surrounding Grindelwald! The village also gets a bit of rain in the winter season, so it’s generally cold, wet, and gloomy.
The average temperature in the winter in Grindelwald is between -1 and 4 degrees Celsius, but that’s just the mean. Actual temperatures can be a bit warmer, but more often than not, it will be significantly colder.
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What to Do in Grindelwald in Winter
Spend a Day at Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe”
Traveling to the Top of Europe is by far the best thing to do if you’re in Grindewlad. The unique experience will surely be the highlight of your trip, especially if you do it on a clear day when you can see the glaciers and mountain peaks below the station.
Top of Europe is the highest train station (and post office) on the continent. It’s accessible by gondola and funicular railway from the village, and in total it takes between 45 and 90 minutes depending on the exact mode of transport. The Eiger Express gondola is the fastest, but also the priciest way of traveling from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch.
This complex is also home to an observation deck, a fabulous restaurant, a Lindt store, and an ice palace. There’s plenty to do here, from admiring the lovely panoramic views to walking among ice sculptures.
Winter Adventures at Grindelwald-First
Grindelwald-First is one of the best ski resorts in this region, and it’s the perfect destination for anyone looking to have fun, regardless of what kind of fun. The resort is good for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and tobogganing, but also for winter walks and hiking.
In fact, you can walk along a metal railway built into the side of a mountain here, and then casually stroll along a hanging rope bridge. It’s as exciting as it sounds, it’s perfectly doable in the winter, and it’s nowhere near as dangerous as you might think.
The First Cliff Walk is one of the top adventurous activities in the region, and the best thing to do if you want to get out of your comfort zone a bit, but still don’t want to do anything actually dangerous.
Skiing, Snowboarding & Cross-Country Skiing
Grindelwald is one of the best places to travel to in Switzerland if you’re into snowboarding and skiing. The village itself offers quite a few cross-country ski tracks, as well as easy access to some of Switzerland’s most famous ski resorts. The First ski resort is the closest option to Grindelwald, with approximately 50 kilometers of pistes.
It’s a fairly small ski resort for Swiss standards but offers by far the prettiest views you can imagine. The slopes are also often sunny, so skiing is generally very enjoyable, even if it might not be very technically challenging.
Take a Break At a Spa / Wellness Center
Not everyone is up for skiing and sledding, so if you’re traveling to Grindelwald hoping to explore the spa centers of its hotels, you won’t be too disappointed. Zermatt might be a slightly better option for this type of tourism though, but Grindelwald still has plenty of wellness and spa centers to offer to all its visitors.
The Sunstar Hotel in Grindelwald is by far the best destination for travelers who prioritize wellness centers over everything else. It’s the best wellness hotel in Grindelwald, with winter yoga retreats, saunas, steam rooms, and thermal baths. The hotel is very popular for its elaborate spa centers, and you should book your stay here early if you want a guaranteed room.
Many other hotels in Grindelwald have excellent spa centers, but most of them reserve access to the spa only for hotel guests. This includes the Bergwelt Resort and Hotel Spinne, which have the best and most elaborate wellness centers in Grindelwald.
Hotel Belvedere and Hotel Schweizerhof open their spa centers to non-guests, but only for a few hours every day. If you want daily access to the best spa and wellness centers in Grindelwald, you really should stay in one of the exclusive hotels in the village.
Rush Down The Mountains While Sledging
Grindelwald is pretty much a paradise for sledging and tobogganing. With more than 50 kilometers of sledging trails, there’s something for everyone’s preference and skill level. Easier runs are perfectly suitable for children, while the more experienced sledgers can enjoy one of the most thrilling runs in the Swiss Alps.
It’s from Jungfrau to Eiger, and it’s best to do it at night. The trail is 14 kilometers long and features four distinct sections, none of which are easy. If there’s enough snow on the ground, it’s perfectly possible to continue sledding all the way back to Grindelwald!
Have Fun Winter Hiking
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The best thing about Grindelwald in the winter is that there are loads of things to see and do. If you’re into hiking, you can explore some pretty amazing trails even in the winter season. The best one is probably the ascent to the Mannlichen summit, which takes about 30 minutes from the Männlichen gondola station (accessible from Grindelwald Grund).
Another popular winter hike is from Grütschalp to Murren. The entire trail features panoramic views of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, the holy trinity of the Swiss Alps. The trail is not very challenging and features optional shortcuts.
Finally, I must also mention the hike from First to Bachalpsee, which is fabulous and stunning in every season. You’ll need to take a gondola to First, and from there, it’s a short (but somewhat steep) ascent to Bachalp Lake.
Traditional Swiss Fondue Dinner
Fondue marks the arrival of the winter season in Switzerland, and it’s absolutely a must for any traveler who wants to properly experience the culture of tradition and Grindelwald. Yes, eating pieces of bread dipped into a bucket of hot cheese is a necessary experience for a proper visit to Switzerland.
The best thing about Grindelwald is that you can easily experience a truly traditional Swiss fondue dinner. The village has many authentic Swiss restaurants with a cozy, chalet vibe, and they usually have the best cheese available. I firmly believe that a fondue tastes better when eaten in the Alps than anywhere else in Switzerland, and you’re welcome to test the theory and come back to me with results.
Explore The Area While Snowshoeing
Grindelwald is very popular for hiking during the warmer months, and you can still explore many of those iconic trails even in the winter. The only catch is you will need a pair of snowshoes, to deal with the thick layer of snow on the ground.
Grindelwald has a few places where you can buy or rent snowshoes, so this activity is accessible to anyone in good physical condition. The trails range from quick and easy to long and challenging, so there are plenty of options for anyone’s skill level.
Some of the most popular trails for snowshoeing in Grindelwald are the Wetterhorn Trails (there are multiple), the Mühlebach Trail, and the Eiger Trails.
Leisurely Walks Around Grindelwald Village
If you’re not that into winter hiking and snowshoeing, an easy walk around the village is more up your speed. You don’t need any special equipment to explore Grindelwald in the winter, but you might need a warm winter jacket to allow you to stay outdoors long enough.
The village is quite small but still incredibly charming. Walk down the main street in Grindewald to see all the different hotels and restaurants with wooden storefronts, and admire all the little details on the facades. It’s absolutely wonderful, and it makes you feel like you’ve traveled to a different world for a moment.
Try Your Hand At Curling
Curling is a very popular activity in Switzerland and Grindelwald is an excellent place to try your hand at this winter sport. Sportzentrum Grindelwald is the best place for curling in the village, and they’ll provide you with everything you need for a game, except for team members.
Curling is a team sport, so you can enjoy this activity only if there are enough of you for a game. At least six people are necessary for a game of curling, although eight is the preferred amount for a proper session.
Alternatively, you could travel to the village of Wengen for a day. In the winter season, an ice rink is set up in the center of the village, and “Curling for Everyone” events take place every Wednesday. For just 5 CHF you can participate in the sport; you can play with your fellow travelers if there are enough of you for a curling team, otherwise, you’ll be paired with strangers who are eager to play.
Eat Local Dishes at Berggasthaus Restaurant
Berggasthaus First Restaurant is near the top station of the Firstbahn gondola. It doesn’t have the best food in Grindelwald, but it’s still a place you should visit for the unique atmosphere. The restaurant serves local food, with stunning views of the mountain summits in the area.
Also, the top station of the cable car features loads of fun things to do, including hiking, a zipline, and even a cliff walk. It’s a very fun place, and you could easily spend hours here enjoying yourself while you engage in thrilling winter activities. Berggasthaus First is the perfect place to regain energy after an exciting zipline ride or a stroll along the metal walkway.
Even the cable car ride up to the mountain is exciting, with sprawling panoramic views of the surrounding summits. If you’re staying in Grindelwald for a few days, consider spending one of those days exploring this wonderful mountain.
What to Pack for Grindelwald in Winter
Your packing list for Grindewlald in the winter will largely depend on how you plan to spend your time in the village. If you want to explore which hotel in the village has the best spa resort, you’ll definitely need a swimsuit, flip-flops, and a towel.
But if you want to explore the popular attractions in the village, or engage in all the fun activities that Grindelwald is world-famous for, your suitcase should be packed with bulkier clothes. Because this village is situated in the Bernese Alps, the temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius regularly, and you will need warm winter clothes.
An insulated winter jacket is a must, along with insulated and waterproof boots. Pack hoodies and sweaters as well, but don’t forget some thinner layers so you can be comfortable at restaurants that are much warmer. I recommend woolen t-shirts as the best temperature-regulating underlayers, but also some dress shirts, standard long-sleeve tops, and thinner sweaters.
Additionally, if you’re traveling to Grindelwald for its excellent skiing opportunities, you’ll want to bring all of your ski gear. Although you can easily rent all the ski gear right there in Grindelwald, it would be cheaper to just pay for an extra suitcase to transport all your ski gear, than to rent it for more than a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is visiting Grindelwald in the winter worthwhile?
Winter is the most popular season in Grindelwald, so it is absolutely worth it to visit the charming village.
Does it snow in Grindelwald in December?
Yes, it snows quite a bit in Grindelwald in December. However, don’t expect the village streets to be covered with a layer of snow because it gets shoveled very quickly to allow people to seamlessly move through the village.
How many days should I stay in Grindelwald in winter?
It depends on what you want to do in the village, but plan to stay in Grindelwald for 2-3 days at least. If you’re into skiing, snowshoeing, and similar activities, you can easily plan for stays of 7+ days.
