Grindewald - Switzerland

[guffhoover]

I am travelling to Grindelwald which is a ski resort in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland for a weeks conference at the start of March. I doubt i will have a chance to try skiing/boarding but i would like to explore the area and maybe do some night tobogganing etc.

As i have never been skiing before i don't have the right gear to visit such a place. I'm gueesing jeans and trainers probably isn't going to help me much. Any advice on the basics i should bring with me? I don't want to spend a fortune as i may never go to an alpine resort again but i think i need the basics so i am not freezing my tits off or constantly wringing water out of my socks!!

For those who have been to this part of Switzerland, what it the one site you must see before you leave?

[Targarama]

I love that area.

Depending on the weather you can take the train up the Jungfraujoch. Or even just halfway, very nice for lazy tourism (my specialty).

Main thing you'll need for skiing is warm coat, hat, gloves and waterproof trousers (which usually fit over your jeans). You can rent the rest. I suggest finding a ski or snowboard school if you've the time to whet your appetite.

Never been toboganning there, but I'm sure someone on PH has. Is this interest following the Gadget Show on Monday? :-)

[Rich135]

As said, definitely get the train to the "Top of Europe" which goes through the Eiger (as in "North Face") mountain. You can get the train from Grindlewald to Kliene Schidegg (SP), a beautiful village where the climbers all rest while waiting for ideal weather to climb the North Face. Change trains and up you go to the top of the mountain. You can ski up there too, just a little slope on the glazier, so perfect for a first timer.

I think there is a taboggon run in Grindlewald, one of those "all year" ones, but I didn't get a chance to try it out.

Interlaken is only 20 mins away by car or train, a lovely town with two great lakes either side, worth a visit.

I am jealous...

[nonuts]

Lovely place, do what the others have said.

If you have time get the cable car up from Murren to the top of the Schilthorn where you can have breakfast literally at the top of a mountain. The trains and cable cars around the area are all fantastic and reliable.

[DangerousMike]

beautiful bit of switzerland, go to the Jungfraujoch on the train, expensive but very high up.

[Bill]

Agree with everything above. White Spider by Heinrich Harrer is worth a read as an account of the first ascent (and previos attempts) of the North Face of the Eiger.

You can (or could) hire clothes from Ellis Brigham or similar.

[N Dentressangle]

The Eiger Sanction:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eiger_Sanction_%2...

is worth watching too.

I spent a season there as a resort rep many years ago, so I fking hate the place. It's very isolated, especially if you haven't got a car, and very boring / cabin feverish to spend 6 months in. You'll want to blag as much for free as you can too - Switzerland is stupid expensive, remember.

The train to the Jungfraujoch is interesting and reasonably spectacular, but very pricey if you're paying yourself. The cable car ride up to the Schilthorn (I forget which Bond film) is worth doing, or for cheaps we used to just go for a ride on the lake steamers from Interlaken.

Apart from the railways / cablecars, there isn't that much to 'do' as such. It's basically just an expensive ski resort in one of the dullest countries in the world.

[TimJMS]

N Dentressangle said:

The cable car ride up to the Schilthorn (I forget which Bond film) is worth doing...

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

[TimJMS]

I learned to Ski here more years ago than I care to remember. Traditional and stunning. Keep the rest.

[guffhoover]

Thanks for all the replies.

If i can get a day out away from the conference it looks like the 'Top of Europe' is the sight to head out for.

[N Dentressangle]

N Dentressangle said:

The train to the Jungfraujoch is interesting and reasonably spectacular, but very pricey if you're paying yourself.

€113.80 for a 2nd class ticket:

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/...

[Targarama]

N Dentressangle said:

N Dentressangle said:

The train to the Jungfraujoch is interesting and reasonably spectacular, but very pricey if you're paying yourself.

€113.80 for a 2nd class ticket:

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/...

Yeah, not cheap. There is a special pass for a few days for around 200 Euros which allows you to visit lots of places costing much more in total (Schiltorn is expensive, Grindelwald First cable car is 40 Euros + etc.)

[N Dentressangle]

Actually, this is PH, so fk all the above.

1. Find out in advance which roads and passes are open. Some will be, although not the highest. The road to Luzern is nice, if it's open, and Luzern itself would make a good day trip.

2. Go to Interlaken and hire the fastest car you can for a day.

3. Enjoy. Switzerland was much more fun for me in a knackered Peugeot 309 I borrowed off the hotel's night porter.

There. That's better.

[nonuts]

If you get the walking version of the ski pass that might be one way as you then get all but the last leg of the trip 'to the top' included, you also get the cable car to the shilthorn included!