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Best Time to Visit Grindelwald: Month by Month 2026/27

Ramon Stüdeli
By , who lives in Grindelwald and Lucerne

Quick answer: The best time to visit Grindelwald for hiking, the First adventure rides and every mountain lift is between June and mid-October. For skiing, sledding and winter scenery, it is between mid-December and late March. Avoid late October to early December and May as the shoulder season, when some lifts are closed for maintenance or paused between seasons.

Grindelwald in summer 2027 Grindelwald in spring (shoulder season) Christmas & New Year in Grindelwald Lauberhorn races and World Snow Festival (January) What to wear in Grindelwald and on the Jungfraujoch

Key facts at a glance

The seasons at a glance

PeriodWhat's onWhat's offBest for
Mid-Dec – Marchskiing at First and Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen, sledding, winter hiking, Jungfraujoch, First Flyer and GliderMountain Cart, Trottibike, high-altitude hikesskiers, families, snow lovers
April – late MayJungfraujoch, First adventure rides from Apr 12, valley walks, Trümmelbach Falls from early AprilMännlichen (until May 28, 2027), many high trails still under snowbudget travelers with flexible plans
June – Augustevery summer lift, hiking, First adventure rides, Jungfraujoch–hikers, families, first-timers
September – mid-Octoberevery summer lift until Oct 24, hiking–hikers, couples
Late October – early DecemberJungfraujoch (Eiger Express closed Nov 9–20), valley walks, skiing at Kleine Scheidegg–Eigergletscher from Nov 21 (per jungfrau.ch)First gondola until Nov 27, Männlichen until Dec 11, First and Männlichen ski areas not open yettravelers looking for quiet and lower prices

Sources: jungfrau.ch, interlaken.swiss, truemmelbachfaelle.ch.

Month by month

January

Deep winter. The First and Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen ski areas are open. A highlight is the Big Pintenfritz sled run (15 km / 9 miles from the Faulhorn toward Bussalp). Events: the Lauberhorn ski races in Wengen (Jan 15–17, 2027) and the 42nd World Snow Festival in Grindelwald (Jan 18–24, 2027).

February

Winter sports just like January. Besides skiing, there are winter hiking trails such as Männlichen–Kleine Scheidegg and snowshoe tours with local mountain guides.

March

The last full month of skiing. First closes its ski season on Mar 29, 2027, Männlichen on Apr 4, 2027 and Wengen–Kleine Scheidegg–Eigergletscher on Apr 25, 2027 (per jungfrau.ch). The Grindelwald–Bussalp bus runs in winter, with dates according to GrindelwaldBus.

April

A transition month. According to jungfrau.ch, the Adventure Package at First (Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart, Trottibike) is available from Apr 12, 2027, so check the dates before you travel. Mountain Cart and Trottibike may start later depending on snow. Trümmelbach Falls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley open in early April. Higher hiking trails are usually still snowy, so check trail conditions locally.

May

From May 1, seat reservations are mandatory and summer prices apply on the Jungfraujoch. The Männlichen gondola doesn't open until May 29, 2027. Pfingstegg is closed for construction until May 5, 2027.

June

The real start of hiking season. Every lift is running. A great month for Lake Bachalpsee, the Männlichen–Kleine Scheidegg Panorama Trail and the Eiger Trail. High routes such as Schynige Platte–First open depending on snow.

July

Peak season with every lift and trail open. The Eiger Ultra Trail runs Jul 14–18, 2027 (courses up to 101 km). Reserve your Jungfraujoch seats early if you want a specific time. August 1 is Swiss National Day.

August

Same as July. Starting early pays off: the Good Morning Ticket gives 20% off (the jungfrau.ch price overview says 15%) the Jungfraujoch according to jungfrau.ch, on the first 2 connections and not combinable with a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass (valid May 1 – Oct 31 in 2026).

September

Our favorite month: every summer lift and the Adventure Package are still running. On Sep 10–11, 2027, the Jungfrau Marathon runs from Interlaken up toward Eigergletscher.

October

Until Oct 24, 2027, the Männlichen gondola and the First adventure rides are running. Maintenance closures start after that. In 2026, the First gondola closed on Oct 26.

November

The quietest month. In 2026, the First gondola (until Nov 27) and the Eiger Express (Nov 9–20) are closed for maintenance, and the Männlichen gondola doesn't reopen until Dec 12. The Jungfraujoch is still reachable via Kleine Scheidegg, and tickets are cheaper than in summer. The ski season at Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher is due to start on Nov 21, 2026. According to jungfrau.ch, the start date isn't fixed yet, and until the end of November some areas may only run on weekends. The Grindelwald Advent Market takes place on Nov 28, 2026.

December

Lifts reopen for winter: Männlichen from Dec 12, 2026, the First ski area from Dec 19, 2026. Grindelwald celebrates New Year's Eve on Dec 31.

Sources for dates: jungfrau.ch, interlaken.swiss, myswitzerland.com, pfingstegg.ch, truemmelbachfaelle.ch. As of October 2026.

Maintenance closures to watch out for

LiftFall 2026 closureReopens
First gondolaOct 26 – Nov 27, 2026Nov 28, 2026
Eiger ExpressNov 9 – Nov 20, 2026Nov 21, 2026
Lauterbrunnen–Mürren cable car and railwayOct 26 – Nov 6, 2026Nov 7, 2026
Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola2026 summer service endedwinter from Dec 12, 2026

Sources: jungfrau.ch (Jungfrau Travel Pass), interlaken.swiss (Männlichen). Spring 2027 closures are not published yet.

Our pick by type of traveler

You want …Best time
hiking (Bachalpsee, Eiger Trail, Panorama Trail)June to mid-October
First Flyer, Mountain Cart, Trottibikemid-April to October 24 (Cart and Trottibike summer only)
skiingmid-December to late March
sledding (Big Pintenfritz)January to March, depending on snow
a cheaper Jungfraujoch ticketNovember to April
peace and quietNovember and late April

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Grindelwald?

June to mid-October for hiking and mountain lifts, mid-December to late March for winter sports. September is our tip because every summer lift is still running.

Is Grindelwald worth visiting in November?

With some limits. In 2026, the First gondola is closed until Nov 27 and the Eiger Express from Nov 9 to 20. You can still reach the Jungfraujoch via Kleine Scheidegg, and it costs less than in summer.

When does ski season start in Grindelwald?

For 2026/27, per jungfrau.ch, on Nov 21, 2026 at Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher, on Dec 12, 2026 at Männlichen and on Dec 19, 2026 at First. According to jungfrau.ch, the start date isn't fixed yet, and until the end of November some areas may only run on weekends.

Is there snow on the Jungfraujoch in summer?

Yes. According to Jungfrau Railways, there is snow and ice on the plateau 365 days a year.

When are the First adventure rides open?

According to jungfrau.ch, the Adventure Package is valid from April 12 to October 24 in 2027 (check before you travel). Mountain Cart and Trottibike may start later depending on snow. First Flyer and First Glider also run in winter.

When is it busiest?

From May to October, seat reservations for the Jungfraujoch are mandatory, a clear sign of peak season. It's quieter in November and in spring between the ski and summer seasons.

What is April like?

April is a transition month. Ski season ends between Mar 29 and Apr 25, 2027 depending on the area, the First Adventure Package starts on Apr 12, 2027 and the Männlichen gondola not until May 29, 2027.

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About the author

is the owner of Grindelwald Experiences. He lives in Grindelwald and Lucerne, brings broad experience from tourism and other industries and has traveled to more than 60 countries.

Sources