Engelberg
Skiing thrills and chills are abundant in this picture perfect postcard ski resort
Engelberg is less known to the Australian skiers as compared to its more famous counterparts - Zermatt and St. Moritz. This quiet resort has a huge skiing potential and is set amongst striking mountains. It has one of the world's biggest vertical drops from the top of the lift system to town, of more than 2000 metres. This picture postcard resort has guaranteed snow cover with thrilling off-piste ski areas, superb snowboard parks, and vibrant après ski activities.
Most of the other Swiss ski resorts are located along the border of France, Italy, or Austria but this village of about 3,500 people hides in a valley right in the middle of Switzerland, not far from Zurich and has been voted the second most snow secure ski resort in the Alps. Engelberg has the first revolving gondola, the 1993 Rotair that takes skiers and snowboarders all the way to the top of Titlis, a 3,020 metre peak. Facing north, this peak has a bar that ensures that you won't run dry before diving down the black run or before you challenge the infamous 1,000 metres Laub of untracked snow. If that is not enough to send thrills down your spine then there is the 120 metre ski hill and glacier with year-round skiing.
There is little traffic in the town making it very easy to travel by car or on foot. The train stops right in the town centre and is close to all the hotels. Explore the village by horse drawn carriage with a sheep skin blanket over your knees or leisurely browse the cobbled-stone pedestrian streets as you head towards the monastery, which was founded in 1120 and dominates the town. After an exhilarating day of skiing and snowboarding try the Yucatan, on the ground floor of the Bellevue Hotel. This bar sells more beer than any other bar in the whole of Switzerland. Tex Mex offers food and live music into the small hours. Other bars in Engelberg include the CC music bar and Disco, the Eden, the Bierlialp-Chäller nightclub and Spindle disco-bar, however for a few quiet drinks try the old-style Dream-Life bar or the refined modern setting of the Wine Bar, smack in the centre of town, where you can also enjoy fabulous dinners.
Beginners should try the Gerschnialp and Untertrübsee, both with ideal flat terrains. They are easily reached from the base station, with a blue run back home to the finish. Advanced skiers can try many of the steep black runs across the Titlis and Jochstock areas. Skiing the length of either the Trubsee-Stand cable car or the two chairs between Jochstock and Alpstubli at the western end of the Trubsee will give you a sustained descent of 600 and 800 vertical metres. Intermediates have around 55 kilometres of red runs, about 60% of the groomed terrain Engelberg has on offer. For experienced snowboarders there are outstanding off-pistes on both the Brunni and the Titlis areas, however most of the jumping will take place within the main terrain park at the bottom of the Jochpass Express chair-lift. There are numerous jumps, rails, a half pipe and a quarter pipe for you to test your skills on. The park is also continually being updated and improved.
Resort Information |
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| Altitude of resort: | 1000 metres | |
| Top elevation: | 3146 metres | |
| Largest vertical drop: | 2000 metres | |
| Total length of slopes: | 82 kilometres | |
| Longest run: | 12 kilometres | |
| Cross country trails: | 20 kilometres | |
| Beginner: | 35% | |
| Intermediate: | 45% | |
| Advanced: | 30% | |
| Number of lifts: | 23 | |
| Snowboard: | Yes |
