Visitor reviews for Wengen Ski Resort

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• January 27, 2009
  bill clough from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I am 60 years old, have skied in every European alpine country (9) from Andorra to Bulgaria, in 32 different resorts and can say Wengen is by far the best by a country mile. I first came to Wengen in 1992 and have returned almost every year since, only occasionally trying somewhere else. The resort is beautiful and quiet; no waiting for lifts at all. Wengen is reasonably priced and the nightlife can be as exciting or peaceful as you want (also as expensive or as cheap as you want). Runs are varied, good for beginners and intermediates alike and there are a few good blacks to entertain the more adventurous in Wengen and the close resorts of Murren & Grindelwald. But beware if you come here you may never want to go anywhere else again.

• November 08, 2006
  Alan Norris from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  
  Wengen is perched on a large, sunny ledge, some 500 metres above the Lauterbrunnen valley, at an altitude of 1275 metres. There are glorious southerly views to the Jungfrau mountain, the icy Silberhorn ridge, and to the Jungfrau Massif in general. It is only accessible by the Wengernalpbahn cog railway, which runs from Lauterbrunnen, via Wengen, to Kleine Scheidegg (2,060 metres), from where you can take a train to Jungfraujoch, which at 3,450 metres, is the highest station in Europe. The train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen takes just 15 minutes.
  Wengen is an extremely pretty Alpine village, quite compact, with about 1,000 local inhabitants, increasing to around 5,000 at the peak of the ski season. It was a farming village for over 500 years before the British arrived at the end of the 19th Century, and it was the Brits who invented downhill skiing (as opposed to cross-country skiing), by using the then recently opened mountain railway to gain access to the slopes.
  The British influence is still very strong in Wengen, where half the visitors are British, and although the local language is German (actually a dialect called Switzerdeutsch), nearly everyone speaks good English. The Downhill Only Club (DHO)is a popular British institution, based in Wengen, and which has many local Wengen members as well as British. Wengen retains all the charm of a genuine Alpine village, and has the added benefit of being "traffic free," there being only a few vehicles, mainly to take bags to the Hotels, and some taxis.
  The absence of road traffic, with safe, sunny nursery slopes in the centre of the village, and the relative calm of the resort in the evenings, makes it ideal for young children. It also means that the resort is extremely busy during school half term, in mid February.
  The skiing is mainly for intermediates, but there is some more challenging skiing, particularly on the Murren side of the Lauterbrunnen valley, and only 45 minutes by mountain train and cable car from Wengen. The "Jungfrau Pass" covers Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald, which is only 30 minutes away (for good skiers), via the Wengen/Mannlichen cable car.
  The quickest way to the ski slopes is via the cable car, which is now in the centre of the village (behind Central Sports). This takes you to the top of Mannlichen (2230 metres) in just 6 minutes. The two cars run continuously at peak periods, and every 15 minutes at quiet periods. You exit the cable car top station onto a large plateau, which is an excellent place to do "warm up" exercises. You also benefit from the earliest sunshine on the slopes, and fantastic views of 3 magnificent mountains, the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
  From here you have blue and red runs down towards Grindelwald, and a choice of 4-seat detachable chairs back to the top. There is also a large "off-piste" bowl, which is popular when conditions are right. Most skiers who know the region start at Mannlichen, do a number of runs there, then work their way across to Kleine Scheidegg, from where you can ski back to Wengen. Skiing directly to Kleine Scheidegg from Manlichen can be done, on red runs, in about half an hour, using 2 fast chairlifts. You would, however do well to take your time, explore the many other runs en route, and admire the breathtaking scenery.
  (It is not possible to ski directly from Manlichen to Wengen, unless you are an "extreme skier", as there are no pisted runs, and the slope is extremly steep and rocky. You could, of course, download on the cable car, but then you would miss a lot!)
  The other way to the ski slopes is to use the Wengernalpbahn railway. This takes you to Kleine Scheidegg (2060 metres) in half an hour, and is a good way up the mountain in bad weather, or for non-skiers, who want to join friends or family for lunch, at one of the many good restaurants to be found on the slopes.From here there are many runs, maily blue or red, towards Grindelwald, or a blue run directly back to Wengen.You can also go to the top of the Lauberhorn (2473 metres), from where there are red and black runs back to Kleine Scheidegg, and a red or a black run directly back to Wengen. The black run is the legendary Lauberhorn Race run, the longest downhill in the World Cup Downhill series.
  All the runs back to Wengen join up at Allmend ( you get directly there via a blue run, or if you take the red or black , via a fast 4-seat chair from InnerWengen). From Allmend there is a blue run back to Wengen Dorf (Town), where you have to take off your skis outside Hotel Caprice. From here you have a 1 minute walk to the centre of Wengen, or, if it is lunch time, the terrace of Hotel Caprice is a great place for lunch on a sunny day, with some of the best views in the region, if not the entire Alps!

• October 22, 2006
  David Chalk from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  If I were to live in any ski resort, it would without doubt be Wengen. Aside from being possibly the prettiest place in the world (the Jungfrau and Eiger are stunning), the skiing is as diverse as one could wish for. My first runs down the famous Lauberhorn and Blackrock runs are among the most cherished of my memories. For those looking for a challenge, "Oh God" is a run to scare the devil himself. A trip over to nearby Murren and the Schilthorn are a must for skiers and Bond fans alike (film location for On Her Majesty's Secret Service). But there are plenty of runs that beginners can equally enjoy. In short, I plan to return to Wengen again and again.

• March 25, 2006
  Kyle from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Wengen is a great resort because it caters for all. I have friends who are experienced instructors who ski there regularly and I know of many people who have learned to ski and returned to improve. I ski there at least once a year with a large group of friends. We have grown up with the place. What started out as boozy weeks in the snow have become more pipe and slippers as people have grown into families and we keep going back because the resort has grown with us. Some of us have bought holiday homes there, which I suppose shows our level of commitment. Wengen has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from the ski factories elsewhere in the Alps and as a very well-travelled person I must say that I am yet to visit a place that is more beautiful. To top it off, the locals are more than friendly and it is even reasonably priced for a resort of this quality. If you measure resorts by lift capacity then stay away, but if you go on holiday to ski, relax and enjoy the mountains then there is simply nowhere better.

• March 01, 2006
  Heather Wood from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  We've just returned from our 5th holiday in Wengen and just can't keep away. Wengen is a great all round resort and ski area with great access to the ski area by the centrally located cable car taking 6 minutes, or the 25 minute train ride to Kleine Scheidegg. The pistes are really well maintained and we've always been able to ski back to the resort even as late as April. We've stayed in apartments and hotels and this year tried the family run Falken, which is very family friendly and has a lovely atmosphere, great pianist and super location overlooking the village. We also like to ski off-piste when there is enought snow and this area offers plenty. We can highly recommend this village and ski area.

• February 07, 2006
  Olivia Gordon from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Just back from 8 wonderful days and despite no new snow the pisteurs worked overtime to keep all runs open and the pistes in excellent condition. I see snow is forecast so half term should be great. The Igloo, new this Winter, is a must either to stay the night (there is a sauna and whirlpool!) or just to stop by for the delicious hot apple cider or something stronger. It is situated between Kleine Scheidegg and the bottom of the Salzegg lift on a blue path so easily accessible on skis or on foot. The backdrop of the north face of the Eiger is spectacular. Otherwise nothing has really changed in this beautiful car-free resort which almost feels like a British Colony!

• December 29, 2003
  sophie bennett from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  great resort for mixed groups and good value for money. compact and pretty with good wide runs so better skiers can ski with friends or family and just take a more difficult line. Food is great and good value on the mountain. Try the apple fritters at Brandegg - something else.

• August 30, 2003
  ANDREW rOBINSON from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Wengen is ,compact,friendly,attractive,cheap(by London standards),fantastic for families,and a great location.
  It may lack serious black runs,and may be a bit slow for some, but after 15 year's i suggest sitting back, having a long slow coffee and unwinding.
  Sunstar hotel for best location, Pierre at ski privat best local teacher,Banhof buffet at KS best food(2003 season).
  Overall Wengen is the place to bring your children to learn to ski.
  When they can get them in the DHO Bob who looks after Coggins will make sure they are safe and have a great time.
  Book the plane, train and hotel direct and you save lots of money.