Winter Activities in Grindelwald: Sledding, Snowshoeing, Tandem Flights, Winter Hikes and Skiing

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

Quick answer: In winter, Grindelwald is great for sledding, winter hiking, snowshoeing, paragliding and skiing. You can do a lot on your own with the Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass (from CHF 61, as of October 2026). For guided experiences like a snowshoe tour, night sledding or a winter tandem flight, we arrange offers from local partners on request.

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

Key facts at a glance

Season: Grindelwald-First Dec 19, 2026 – Mar 29, 2027, Männlichen Dec 12, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027, Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher Nov 21, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027 (jungfrau.ch, subject to change).
On your own: sled runs, winter hiking trails and the snowshoe trail are all marked. The Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass is valid for 1 to 7 days (Nov 21, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027).
Guided: snowshoe tour, night sledding with fondue, Bussalp sledding day, winter tandem flight. We arrange these, prices on request.
Weather decides: flights, sled runs and high trails depend on snow, wind and avalanche conditions.

How to pick the right winter activity

Want speed without skis? Go sledding. The Big Pintenfritz is long and demanding (about 2.5 hours on foot to the start). Shorter runs like First–Bort (about 20 minutes) or Bussalp (3.52 km / 2.2 miles) work well for families.
Want quiet and views? Winter hiking at Männlichen or First, or snowshoeing below the Eiger North Face.
Want something special? A winter tandem flight or night sledding.
Do you ski? Two ski areas start right in Grindelwald: First and Grindelwald-Wengen.

Winter activities at a glance

Activity	On your own or guided	Season	Official price	Partner offer (arranged)
Sledding the Big Pintenfritz	on your own	depends on snow	sled ticket CHF 55, reduced/kids CHF 29	–
Sledding at Bussalp	on your own or guided	bus 126 in winter, dates according to GrindelwaldBus	bus ticket	Bussalp sledding day, on request
Night sledding	on your own or guided	winter	Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night CHF 29, kids and reduced CHF 19	Night sledding with fondue, on request
Snowshoeing	on your own or guided	winter	Holenstein–Brandegg trail, no fee (lift ticket)	Grosse Scheidegg snowshoe tour, on request
Winter tandem flight	guided	weather permitting	–	Winter tandem flight from First, on request
First Flyer and Glider	on your own	winter and summer	Flyer and Glider CHF 35 each, kids CHF 26, free in winter with a Jungfrau ski pass	First Flyer & Cliff Walk, on request
Winter hiking	on your own	winter	Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass from CHF 61	–
Skiing and snowboarding	on your own or with a ski school	First from Dec 19, 2026	1-day pass CHF 79 (high-season price on low-season weekends), kids CHF 38	–
Ice skating	on your own	ice arena July to end of April	CHF 10, CHF 5 with guest card	–

Prices as of October 2026. Sources: jungfrau.ch (sledding, Big Pintenfritz, winter hiking, ski pass, First Flyer, First Glider, winter sports info), sportzentrum-grindelwald.ch, myswitzerland.com. For "on request" offers, we confirm availability and price with the partner before you book.

Sledding

Run	Length or time	Best for
Big Pintenfritz, Faulhorn → Bussalp	15 km (9.3 mi), about 2.5 hrs hike up from First	fit sledders with stamina
Bussalp → Weidli	3.52 km (2.2 mi), about 40 min	families, beginners
First → Schreckfeld → Bort	about 20 min	families
Jungfrau Eiger Run, Eigergletscher → Grindelwald	about 1 hr 10 min, gradients up to 36%	experienced sledders
Jungfrau Eiger Run by Night, Alpiglen → Brandegg	3.5 km (2.2 mi), floodlit	evenings

Sources: jungfrau.ch (sledding), interlaken.swiss (Bussalp). More details in our Grindelwald in winter guide.

Snowshoeing and winter hiking

Trail	Time
Snowshoe trail Holenstein → Brandegg	about 2 hrs 15 min
Royal Walk Männlichen	about 40 min
Männlichen → Kleine Scheidegg	about 2 to 2.5 hrs according to interlaken.swiss, about 2 hrs 45 min according to jungfrau.ch
First → Waldspitz → Bort	about 3 hrs
Faulhorn winter hike from First	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.

Winter tandem paragliding

On a tandem flight, you sit in front of a pilot who handles takeoff and landing. The pilot decides on the day whether wind and weather allow a flight. We arrange the winter tandem flight from First. We confirm price, minimum age and meeting point with the partner on request.

Skiing and snowboarding basics

Ski areas: Grindelwald-First (Bort, Schreckfeld, First) and Grindelwald-Wengen (Männlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher).
Jungfrau Ski Region pass, 1 day: adults CHF 79, CHF 83 on peak dates, youth 16–19 CHF 45, kids 6–15 CHF 38 (jungfrau.ch, as of October 2026). On weekends in the low season, high-season prices apply.
Saturdays for families: up to three kids (6–15) ski free when an adult buys a full-price day or afternoon pass (jungfrau.ch).
Beginners: the Männlichen Children's Paradise has a magic carpet and two Pinocchio lifts (jungfrau.ch).
Ski storage: at Grindelwald Terminal from CHF 12 per day (as of October 2026).

Keep reading

FAQ

What can you do in Grindelwald in winter?

Sledding, winter hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding, paragliding, First Flyer and Glider, ice skating and a trip to the Jungfraujoch.

How much is the Winter Hiking and Sledding Pass?

From CHF 61, valid for 1 to 7 days between Nov 21, 2026 and Apr 25, 2027, Jungfraujoch not included (as of October 2026, jungfrau.ch).

Can you paraglide in Grindelwald in winter?

Yes, when wind and weather allow. The pilot makes the call on the day. We arrange the winter tandem flight from First on request.

Which sled run is best for families?

Shorter runs like First–Schreckfeld–Bort (about 20 minutes) or Bussalp–Weidli (3.52 km). The Big Pintenfritz is better suited to fit sledders because of the long hike up.

Do I need a guide for snowshoeing?

Usually not on the marked Holenstein–Brandegg snowshoe trail, if you check the avalanche bulletin and trail status first. Away from marked trails, a guided tour is safer, because avalanche risk and route-finding take experience.

When is the best time for winter activities?

January to March, when all areas are open. First opens on Dec 19, 2026 and closes on Mar 29, 2027.

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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.