Grindelwald in Winter 2026/27: Season Dates, Sledding, Winter Hikes and Tips for Non-Skiers

By Ramon Stüdeli, who lives in Grindelwald and LucerneLast updated: 31 October 2026

Quick answer: According to jungfrau.ch, the 2026/27 winter season starts on Nov 21, 2026 around 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. You'll have plenty to do even if you don't ski: Grindelwald has the Big Pintenfritz, a 15 km (9.3-mile) sled run, groomed winter hiking trails, a snowshoe trail facing the Eiger North Face and an indoor ice rink. The Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass from CHF 61 covers most trails and lifts.

Winter hiking in Grindelwald Skiing in Grindelwald Sledding in Grindelwald Snowshoeing in Grindelwald Christmas & New Year in Grindelwald Lauberhorn races and World Snow Festival (January)

Key facts at a glance

2026/27 season: Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher Nov 21, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027. Grindelwald, Holenstein, Männlichen Dec 12, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027. Grindelwald-First Dec 19, 2026 – Mar 29, 2027 (per jungfrau.ch, subject to change).
For non-skiers: sledding, winter hiking, snowshoeing, First Flyer and Glider, ice skating, the Jungfraujoch.
Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass: 1 to 7 days from CHF 61, valid Nov 21, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027, Jungfraujoch not included (as of October 2026).
Big Pintenfritz: 15 km from the Faulhorn (8,793 ft / 2,680 m) toward Bussalp. Sled ticket CHF 55, or CHF 29 with a Half Fare Card/GA and for kids 6–15 (as of October 2026).
Jungfrau Ski Region lift pass: 1 day CHF 79, CHF 83 on peak dates, kids 6–15 CHF 38 (jungfrau.ch, as of October 2026). On weekends in the low season, high-season prices apply.
Events: World Snow Festival Jan 18–24, 2027 (free), Lauberhorn ski races in Wengen Jan 15–17, 2027, Velogemel World Championship at Bussalp on Feb 7, 2027.
Heads-up for November: the First gondola is closed until Nov 27, 2026, the Eiger Express Nov 9–20, 2026, and the indoor pool Nov 2–22, 2026.

2026/27 winter season at a glance

Area or lift	2026/27 season
Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher	Nov 21, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027
Grindelwald, Holenstein, Männlichen	Dec 12, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027
Grindelwald-First (Bort, Schreckfeld, First)	Dec 19, 2026 – Mar 29, 2027
First gondola	maintenance until Nov 27, 2026, open from Nov 28, 2026
Eiger Express	maintenance Nov 9–20, 2026, open from Nov 21, 2026
Grindelwald–Bussalp bus (line 126)	in winter, dates according to GrindelwaldBus
Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass	Nov 21, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027

Sources: jungfrau.ch (winter sports info, Jungfrau Travel Pass, sledding), myswitzerland.com. All dates per the operators, subject to change. For live status, see the winter sports report on grindelwald.swiss.

Grindelwald in winter without skiing

Sledding

Sled run	Route	Length	Time	Price
Big Pintenfritz	Faulhorn (2,680 m) → Bussalp, down to Lochsteinen when snow allows	15 km (9.3 mi)	about 2.5 hrs hike up from First, plus the ride down	sled ticket CHF 55, reduced and kids CHF 29
Bussalp sled run	Bussalp (1,800 m) → Weidli (1,240 m)	3.52 km (2.2 mi)	about 40 min	bus 126 from Grindelwald station, about 35 min
First–Schreckfeld–Bort	First (2,166 m) → Bort (1,560 m)	not stated	about 20 min	First gondola ticket
Jungfrau Eiger Run	Eigergletscher (2,320 m) → Grindelwald (943 m), gradients up to 36%	not stated	about 1 hr 10 min	train ticket
Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night	Alpiglen → Brandegg, floodlit	3.5 km (2.2 mi)	not stated	CHF 29, kids and reduced CHF 19
Ritas Speedway	Männlichen (2,229 m) → Holenstein (1,620 m)	not stated	about 15 min	lift ticket
Fox Run	Wengernalp → Wengen	4.5 km (2.8 mi)	about 25 min	train ticket

Prices as of October 2026. Sources: jungfrau.ch (sledding, Big Pintenfritz), interlaken.swiss (Bussalp), myswitzerland.com (Bussalp bus). The Big Pintenfritz sled ticket covers the gondola up, the sled run and the bus back. Ski passes aren't valid on the bus.

Renting a sled: Intersport Rent has sleds, toboggans and Velogemels at five locations in Grindelwald, at Männlichen and at First (per jungfrau.ch).

Safety: Jungfrau Railways points out that trail conditions and difficulty depend on snow and weather, and that you use the runs at your own risk. Check the status in the winter sports report each morning.

Prefer company? We arrange a Bussalp sledding day and night sledding with fondue with local partners (price on request).

Winter hiking

Winter trail	Elevation	Time
Royal Walk Männlichen (to the crown on the summit)	2,221–2,341 m	about 40 min
Männlichen – Kleine Scheidegg	2,222 → 2,061 m	about 2 to 2.5 hrs according to interlaken.swiss, about 2 hrs 45 min according to jungfrau.ch
Sunny winter hike First – Waldspitz – Bort	2,275 → 1,530 m	about 3 hrs
Faulhorn winter hike from First	up to 2,678 m	about 4 hrs

Source: jungfrau.ch (winter hiking), as of October 2026. According to grindelwald.swiss, winter trails have their own signposts and are groomed. Stay on marked trails and follow avalanche warnings.

Snowshoeing

The official snowshoe trail facing the Eiger North Face runs from Holenstein to Brandegg (1,624 → 1,288 m) in about 2 hrs 15 min (jungfrau.ch). According to grindelwald.swiss, you can snowshoe on your own or on guided tours. For a guided tour, we arrange the Grosse Scheidegg snowshoe tour (on request).

First in winter

The First gondola reopens on Nov 28, 2026, and the ski area opens on Dec 19, 2026. According to jungfrau.ch, First Flyer and First Glider also run in winter, and they're free with a valid Jungfrau ski pass. Mountain Cart and Trottibike are summer only. Prices and requirements are in our First guide.

Männlichen in winter

The gondola from Grindelwald Terminal runs from Dec 12, 2026 to Apr 4, 2027 and takes 19 minutes. In winter, the Royal Walk to the summit is cleared and, according to myswitzerland.com, can be walked in winter boots. The winter trail to Kleine Scheidegg starts here too.

Ice skating, curling and the ice arena

The indoor ice arena at the Grindelwald Sports Centre is open from July to the end of April and has four curling sheets (myswitzerland.com). Public skating hours change often, so check them on sportzentrum-grindelwald.ch.

Skating entry	With guest card	Without guest card
Adults	CHF 5	CHF 10
Kids 6–15	CHF 4	CHF 8
Skate rental	CHF 7	CHF 7

As of October 2026. Source: sportzentrum-grindelwald.ch.

Winter tandem paragliding

You can paraglide in winter too when the weather plays along. We arrange the winter tandem flight from First with local pilots (price on request).

The Jungfraujoch in winter

The Jungfraujoch is open year-round. Outside May to October, seat reservations are optional and prices are lower than in summer. The Unlimited Jungfrau Winter Pass for CHF 449, or CHF 399 with a Half Fare Card or GA (Dec 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027), includes unlimited trips to the Jungfraujoch (as of October 2026, jungfrau.ch). Details in our Jungfraujoch guide.

Skiing basics

Jungfrau Ski Region lift pass, 1 day	Price
Adults 20+	CHF 79
Adults on peak dates	CHF 83
Youth 16–19	CHF 45
Kids 6–15	CHF 38

As of October 2026. Source: jungfrau.ch (buy ski pass). According to jungfrau.ch, peak dates are Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 and Jan 30 – Feb 28, 2027. On Saturdays, up to three kids (6–15) ski free when an adult buys a full-price day or afternoon pass.

Two ski areas from Grindelwald: Grindelwald-First and Grindelwald-Wengen (Männlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher).
Beginners and kids: Männlichen has the Children's Paradise with a magic carpet and two Pinocchio lifts (jungfrau.ch).
Cross-country skiing: the guest card gives you free use of the cross-country trail (jungfrauregion.swiss).

Winter events 2026/27

Date	Event	Where
Nov 28, 2026	Grindelwald Advent market	Grindelwald
Dec 6, 2026	Samichlaus (Swiss St. Nicholas) visit	Grindelwald
Dec 31, 2026	New Year's Eve	Grindelwald
Jan 15–17, 2027	Lauberhorn ski races	Wengen
Jan 18–24, 2027	42nd World Snow Festival, free, sculptures lit up in the evenings Jan 22–24	Grindelwald and Männlichen ski area
Feb 7, 2027	Velogemel World Championship	Bussalp

Sources: grindelwald.swiss, jungfrauregion.swiss, myswitzerland.com. As of October 2026.

Our winter tips

Check the webcams in the morning. Fog in the valley doesn't mean fog up top. You'll find webcams on grindelwald.swiss and jungfrau.ch.
Don't underestimate the Big Pintenfritz. The hike up from First alone takes about 2.5 hours. Start early and bring warm, waterproof clothes.
Plan November carefully. The First gondola doesn't run until Nov 27, 2026, the indoor pool is closed Nov 2–22, 2026, and the Grindelwald Museum is closed from November.
Local bus with the guest card: lines 121, 122 and 123 are free with the guest card, but lines 126 to 128 (for example to Bussalp) aren't.

Keep reading

FAQ

Is Grindelwald worth it in winter if I don't ski?

Yes. Sled runs like the Big Pintenfritz, winter trails at Männlichen and First, a snowshoe trail, First Flyer and Glider and the Jungfraujoch easily fill several days.

When does the 2026/27 ski season start in Grindelwald?

According to jungfrau.ch, on Nov 21, 2026 around 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.

How long is the Big Pintenfritz?

According to jungfrau.ch, 15 km from the Faulhorn (2,680 m) toward Grindelwald. The run goes to Bussalp, and on to Lochsteinen when there's enough snow, with the GrindelwaldBus back. Getting to the start takes about 2.5 hours on foot from First.

Can you go sledding at night in Grindelwald?

Yes. The floodlit Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night runs 3.5 km from Alpiglen to Brandegg, for CHF 29, kids and reduced CHF 19 (jungfrau.ch, as of October 2026). It runs daily Dec 28, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027, then on Fridays and Saturdays Jan 8 – Mar 13, 2027.

Do First Flyer and First Glider run in winter?

Yes, both do according to jungfrau.ch. Mountain Cart and Trottibike are summer only.

What is a Velogemel?

According to myswitzerland.com, it's a wooden frame on two runners. The world championship has been held every February since 1996, and in 2027 it's on Feb 7 at Bussalp.

Do I need a car in winter?

No. Trains run from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald every 30 minutes, and in winter a shuttle connects the Terminal parking garage with the First ski area.

Is the Jungfraujoch open in winter?

Yes, year-round. It's cheaper in winter than in summer, and seat reservations are optional.

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About the author

Ramon Stüdeli 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.