Engstligenalp is a beautiful alpine plateau surrounded by mountains above Adelboden in the Berner Oberland. This place is gorgeous but deadly quite during the summer, at least the both time we were there, but come here in winter time and you will get overwhelm by the white winter landscape but mostly because of all the happenings that now take place on the beautiful snowy alpine valley.

Engstligenalp in winter offer loads of winter activities for all ages, shapes and sizes. Beside skiing, you can go winter hiking on groomed trails, do some cross-country skiing, perhaps hit the sled slope, jump on a snow tube, and if you dare climb on one of the many frozen waterfalls. When you are hungry you could satisfy your hunger by dipping into a creamy cheese fondue in the biggest igloo restaurant in Europe! Beside all that, on Engstligenalp the kids are the one who are having the most fun at the kid’s village where the kids can let loose and the parents relax.

I have to admit it, even though Engsligenalp is so gorgeous in the summer, I do like Engstligenalp much more in winter. 

In winter, you reach Engstligenalp with a cable car from Unter dem Birg where there is a huge parking area, which can also be reached by bus from Adelboden. The cable car ride up Engstligenalp takes about 3 minutes.

More information Here although only in German!

Photo: Here

Globi, the legendary Swiss children’s book character, the half parrot half human, is now Engstligenalp’s personal ambassador. You will get to know Globi already in the cable car where the Globi songs are being played! Quite funny and enjoyable! There is a Globi corner for the kids by the cable car above the restaurant where you can purchase Globi items.

Once up, only 150 meters away from the cable car station you will have the kid’s village with beginner and child friendly ski slopes. The first thing I told David was that perhaps today at the Valentine’s day, is the perfect day and place for me to try on a pair of ski, but that didn’t happened of course..haha. For those who don’t know, I have promised to myself to learn how to ski before I turn 40 and I am now 37!

I personally got very impress with the kid’s village. The area has a kid igloo filled with toys while outside are a range of picnic benches and kid’s winter toy box. Fun for the kids and a great place for the parents to relax, or at least try to relax! 

TIPS! I really recommend you to go to this site and have a virtual tour of Engstligenalp for a better look! Click Here.

For the more experiences skiers there are awesome looking 17 km of ski slopes further away. Just study the trail map under.

The winter trail map for 2017/2018. Photohere.

The snow tubing

Wanting to try something new we came to Engstligenalp for the snow tubing. As we have never done this before we didn’t know what to expect. The helmet is a must and is provided when renting the plastic ring (the snow tube) where you will be sitting on. I was a bit nervous at first but it was very simple. There is a rubber band attached on your snow tube and with that the worker will attach on a rope that pulls you all the way up. It doesn’t go fast I promise.

The fastest snow tubing lane on the Engstligenalp, Switzerland.

On Engstligenalp, there are three snow tubing tracks. The first one is the fastest and by the look, it looks harmless. However, we decided to test the slowest track first which is in the middle. Doesn’t look scary does it? Well, I must be honest. I thought I was going to die of a snow tubing crash or something. Ok, I am overacting but I didn’t expect the tube to go that fast and swirl uncontrollable like it did. That said, David said that he and Mirabelle didn’t go that fast probably because they were heavy together.

Did I tube down the slope again? Yes I did! In spite of having fear of having a crash it was a lot of fun! And NO, we stayed on the slow lane and never tried the faster one. 

For practical information and price Here. Only in German.

Europe’s biggest igloo restaurant

When the belly is graving for some food what is the best thing to eat on a fresh winter day on the Swiss mountain? A cheese fondue! But a fondue must taste even better in an igloo right?

More information about the igloo Here.

Unfortunately we are not able to tell you because we like to have a picnic! However, if we were offered a romantic family candlelight fondue meal in Europe’s biggest igloo restaurant I would not say no! It is amazing in there! When I think of it now, we should have at least ordered a mug of hot chocolate!

TIPS! Every winter on Engstligenalp there is an Igloo festival where you can participate and build your own igloo in where you will then spend your night. The date for 2018 festival is 17-18 March but hurry up if you want to build an igloo because the 2 of March is the last day for application!

I am crossing my finger that we are able to join this year!!

More practical information Here.

Photo: Here

Winter hiking

While other enjoy full speed winter sports other enjoys the slowness and the tranquility of the winter wonderland-landscape. On the snowy Engstligenalp you have many options of groomed walking trails to choose from. 

A beautiful view over snowy Adelboden from Engstligenalp.

In the winter, this is the end of the road. But if you come here in the summer, you can hike down and not far away from where I am standing is the first drop of this incredible powerful Engstligen falls! Not to be miss either!

If you have time you can walk about 20 minutes from the cable car in Unter dem Birg to the second drop of the Enstligen falls. But the frozen waterfall is not very spectacular!

Ice climbing

If walking to the frozen waterfalls doesn’t sound intriguing enough how about climbing on one? I know that I would love to try!

More information Here. Only in German.

I would like to know where is your favorite winter wonderland? Does the winter Engstligenalp sounds fun to you?

As I mention above, the Engstligen fall shouldn’t be missed if you are ever passing by in the summer. Just so you know, the waterfall is Switzerland’s second highest waterfall! You can read about our hike the this impressive Engstligen fall Here.

B the first drop of the Engstligen fall in Adelboden, Switzerland.