Europe

Wengen

A very picturesque resort which has welcomed skiers since the 19th century, ì Wengen has probably the most spectacular scenery of any mountain resort in the ì world. Serious competitors are its neighbors in the Jungfrau region, ì Grindelwald and Murren. Car-free, with life centered on the railway (which ì ultimately reaches Europe's highest rail station) Wengen has the spectacular ì backdrop of the Eiger as well as the Monch and Jungfrau. It is one of the ì 'original' downhill skiing destinations pioneered by British tourists, and was ì the first resort in the world to offer uphill transportation (the railway to ì Kleine Scheidegg, completed in 1911). The resort is the base of the famous Downhill Only Club (DHO), established in ì 1924 when the English visitors first persuaded the locals to keep the railway ì running in the winter to get a lift up the mountains, then jump out and ski ì 'downhill only'. Wengen is also home to the legendary and spectacular annual ì Lauberhorn World Cup downhill course, the longest and many believe the ì greatest there is. Wengen's presence in the lists of 'most favorite resorts' for those who have ì visited it is an unusual one. Most other entrants will be there because of ì their fantastic skiing. Wengen will be there because of how you feel just ì being there, even before you put your skis on. The awe inspiring mountainscape ì above and below borders on a spiritual experience for many, which makes even ì the most bland skiing experience seem transcendental. Not that Wengen's skiing is bland - far from it. Nearly 100 miles (160 km) of ì trails, shared with neighboring Grindelwald, are lift-linked from the village, ì with a further 40 km (25 miles) also on the Jungfrau Top Ski Lift pass across ì the valley at Murren. The main ski area (shared with Grindelwald) is the ì Kleine Scheidegg read more