Engelberg Ski Resort

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Engelberg ski resort Titlis Xpress gondola ascends 1400m vertical.
Engelberg ski resort Titlis Xpress gondola ascends 1400m vertical.
Steep powder laden off piste is the order of the day at Engelberg.
Steep powder laden off piste is the order of the day at Engelberg.
The Titlis Rotair cable car ascends 600m vertical to Engelberg
The Titlis Rotair cable car ascends 600m vertical to Engelberg's 3028m top.
Summit of Titlis (3239m) at Engelberg is heavily glaciated.
Summit of Titlis (3239m) at Engelberg is heavily glaciated.
The town of Engelberg is surrounded by spectacular mountains.
The town of Engelberg is surrounded by spectacular mountains.
Powder on the upper Steinberg glacier on Titlis at Engelberg.
Powder on the upper Steinberg glacier on Titlis at Engelberg.
Surveying the vast and challenging freeride terrain at Engelberg.
Surveying the vast and challenging freeride terrain at Engelberg.
Steinberg glacier, Engelberg ski resort.
Steinberg glacier, Engelberg ski resort.
Perfect place to end a gnarly descent at Engelberg, the Iglu bar.
Perfect place to end a gnarly descent at Engelberg, the Iglu bar.
Iglu bar has a sensational interior. An Engelberg
Iglu bar has a sensational interior. An Engelberg 'must do'.
Jochpass chair serves some of the excellent Engelberg piste trails.
Jochpass chair serves some of the excellent Engelberg piste trails.
Engelberg piste trails have great snow and are super fun.
Engelberg piste trails have great snow and are super fun.
Engelberg has a massive array of non ski activities including the Cliff Walk.
Engelberg has a massive array of non ski activities including the Cliff Walk.
Engelberg has all the services, facilities & activities for a great winter holiday.
Engelberg has all the services, facilities & activities for a great winter holiday.
Ski powder at Engelberg.
Ski powder at Engelberg.
The Laub is one of Engelberg
The Laub is one of Engelberg's signature, epic, off piste descents.
The hotel at Jochpass is one of the best Engelberg ski in / ski out lodgings.
The hotel at Jochpass is one of the best Engelberg ski in / ski out lodgings.
The ice cave is a fascinating walk through the glacier at Engelberg ski resort.
The ice cave is a fascinating walk through the glacier at Engelberg ski resort.
The Chalet is Engelberg
The Chalet is Engelberg's premier apres ski location.
Ski Engelberg.
Ski Engelberg.

Engelberg Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Engelberg

Engelberg4/56
Engelberg4 out of 5 based on 6 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
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Nearby Ski Resorts

Andermatt Sedrun
Klewenalp
Meiringen-Hasliberg

Engelberg Maps & Stats

    Engelberg Trail Map
  • Engelberg Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,050m - 3,028m (1,978m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    10m
  • Lifts (25)
    9 Gondolas / cable cars
    7 Chairs
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Lat Oct to early May
    8:20am to 5:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 85km
    Longest run - 9km
    Advanced - 17%
    Intermediate - 55%
    Beginner - 28%
    Massive advanced off-piste terrain
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Destination Pass: valid on all Engelberg lifts (dynamic online lift pass pricing)
    Adult - from CHF54.50 to 70.50
    Child - from CHF22 to 28
    Child u/6yr - Free

    Trübsee Pass: valid on Titlis lower mountain lifts only
    Adult - CHF41
    Child - CHF17
    Child u/6yr - Free

    Brunni Pass: valid on Brunni-Klostermatte lifts only
    Adult - CHF44
    Child - CHF22
    Child u/6yr - Free
    Engelberg Big 5 Trail Map
  • Engelberg Big 5 Trail Map
    Titlis Ski Trail Map
  • Titlis Ski Trail Map
    Brunni Ski Trail Map
  • Brunni Ski Trail Map

Engelberg Ski Resort Switzerland

Engelberg Switzerland is one of the top powder & freeride destinations in the world. In the shadows of Titlis, Engelberg ski resort is renowned for freak storms pewking heaps of fresh snow, gnarly descents of up to 2,000 metres vertical & easy accessibility from Zurich (and other major cities like Lucerne) by train. It was definitely on the Powderhounds bucket list; make sure you put it on yours as well.

The Powderhounds ticked Engelberg off our bucket list. We can confirm that this mountain is indeed beautiful, fun & intimidating all at once. Cannot wait to go back!

Pros & Cons for Engelberg Ski Resort

Pros

  • Huge skiable vertical of 2,000m.
  • World class freeride & powder skiing - home of the BIG 5 ski routes.
  • Deep, reliable & quality snowpack.
  • Fabulous piste trails for all levels.
  • Majority of terrain above 1,800m altitude.
  • Awesome views when the sun shines.
  • Full-service town with everything one requires on a snow holiday.
  • Amazing range of non-ski activities in a spectacular setting.
  • Superb access by train and connections to Zurich airport & lovely Lucerne.
  • Excellent value for what you get.

Cons

  • Topography means disjointed pistes & lifts.
  • Beginner terrain is disjointed from rest of the ski terrain.
  • Some piste trails are terribly busy (i.e. near Jochpass & Laubersgrat).
  • Intermediate skiers may find the piste terrain limiting after a couple of days.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • Engelberg township has lost much of its authentic feel.
  • Limited range of 'high-end' hotels.
  • A bucket list destination for all freeriding powder lovers!
  • It is in Switzerland, so things are a bit more expensive (but everything works!).

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Engelberg Titlis is 'world class big mountain skiing' in the truest sense of the words. The 2000m skiable vertical is imposing enough........... and then you ski it. The off-piste freeride terrain can be super intimidating to the uninitiated. Even on the more popular routes (i.e. Laub), avalanche danger & crevasses on the glaciers are ever present. If intending to tackle the ‘Big 5’, Engelberg is best sampled (at first anyway) with a guide - funnily enough, the guides may not refer to these signature freeride routes in those terms, seems to have been coined by visitors not locals!

For those not interested in chasing powder, Engelberg's topography means it has an awkward & disjointed arrangement of lifts & piste trails. After half a day it makes enough sense though. Even new skiers will feel a sense of adventure as trails wind down valleys to the base. The beginner areas are somewhat cut off from the rest of the terrain up higher. The best slopes for novices are not even in the main resort, but near the town on a sunny slope above the historic Kloster (monastery) in the ski area called Brunni-Klostermatte. The Brunni ski area consists of the lower 'learn to ski' novice area (Klostermatte) plus a small amount of mixed on-piste trails on about 440m of skiable vertical accessible via cable car. An alternative to Brunni is the expanse of lifts on a broad mountain terrace below Trübsee (Untertrübsee and Gerschnialp). Whilst more shaded, the lift pass is more affordable, and the location is spectacular. Another small ski area included on the

Check out the ski trail map for Engelberg below.

Engelberg Ski Trail Map
Engelberg Ski Trail Map

Engelberg's ski lifts are an intriguing mix of old & new. Several ancient cable cars throughout the valley appear to have more to do with summer & winter walking than skiing. In the Titlis ski area, surface lifts appropriately serve beginner areas, whilst modern chairs & gondolas, plus the iconic Titlis Rotair cable car provide the uphill oomph for the rest. Replacement of the painfully slow Engstlenalp chair was completed for season 2020, improving movement for beginners on-piste & freeriders coming down into the area. Two new chairs plus a terrain expansion are in the wings for below the Schafberg peak.

For more information on all the above, see our Engelberg Skiing & Snowboarding page.

Snow & Weather

Engelberg is renowned for freak storms pewking heaps of fresh snow on the 3,239m Titlis. With an average upper mountain snowfall of over 10m, the snow quality tends to be excellent on & off piste making Engelberg one of Europe's most sure ski resorts. The upper mountain can be subjected to some extreme weather during winter storms but is amazing when the sun comes out. Note that inversions can make it seem cloudy when in the village, but Titlis may be in sunshine - always check the web cams!

Where is Engelberg Switzerland?

The Engelberg ski resort is in central Switzerland is just 35km south of the beautiful city of Lucerne (Luzern). The main international gateway airport is Zurich (ZRH), only 85km north of the town & resort.

Engelberg is connected to Lucerne, Zurich and the rest of Switzerland by the wonderful Swiss railway system, making it the recommended mode of transport to the ski area. Trains to Engelberg from Lucerne take only 45min and leave every hour. Search & buy train tickets to Engelberg.

For more information, see our Travel to Engelberg page.

Engelberg Accommodation

The Engelberg ski resort has the sprawling village of the same name at its base providing plentiful hotel, apartment & guesthouse lodging options.

For something completely different the Berghotel Trübsee & the higher Barghuis Jochpass Hotel provide the best ski in ski out accommodation in Engelberg. The Hotel Iglu Dorf at Trübsee involves sleeping in an ice hotel & whilst not for the fainthearted, is a wonderful ski lodging experience. The bar at the Iglu-Dorf is sensational - definitely the place to have a celebratory drink after an epic powder laden freeride route.

In town, the centrally located Hotel Schweizerhof & Hotel Crystal are close to the train station, town centre & ski lifts. The basic, but good, Hotel Cathrin is the closest to the Titlis ski lifts. In the town centre, the beautifully decorated Alpenclub Hotel is a stand-out. The H+ Hotel & SPA Engelberg, located behind the train station, will satisfy most groups with its diversity of rooms & facilities. Best value accommodation that includes private & shared rooms are the Pension St Jakob & Spannort Inn. For cracking views across town, the art deco Hotel Terrace is a perennial favourite for those looking to save a penny & take a bit longer to get to the lifts in the morning!

Search & book all Engelberg ski accommodation.

With the regular train from Lucerne taking only 45min, staying in this delightful city is a definite overnight option when skiing Engelberg. Search & book here for Lucerne accommodation. Lake Lucerne is only 25min drive from Engelberg. Beautiful towns along its lakeshore such as Beckenried (at the base of nearby Klewenalp ski resort) provide all services, great hotels and restaurants plus offer an alternative to staying in Engelberg.

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Engelberg Après Ski & Bars

For a Swiss ski resort, Engelberg is better than most when it comes to après ski. The Iglu bar up on the mountain near Trübsee is sensational, the Chalet at the gondola lift base a local standard and the Core Irish bar in the town centre is excellent. All three can be combined in the one afternoon.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski & snowboard equipment rentals options are throughout the centre of Engelberg, near the main day car park & at the base of the lifts. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Engelberg Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Numerous ski & snowboard instructors, ski schools & guides ply their trade in the Engelberg ski resort. To narrow down the field, search & book a private lesson or resort guide with our partner providers on our Engelberg Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Non-Ski Activities

For those not interested in skiing at all, Engelberg is one of the world's best ski resorts to visit - ironic! As if the stupendous cable car ride on the Rotair over the Steinberg glacier and up to Klein Titlis at 3,028m is not enough. At the top there are the added attractions of a cliff walk on a suspension bridge, an ice walk through the glacier, wonderful views, paragliding plus a quality restaurant. Lower down the mountain there are sledding trails, winter walking trails, snowmobiles & snow tubing (to name a few) to keep you busy. On nearby Brunni more sled & winter walking trails await, along with the requisite mountain huts for some fine alpine dining.

Review

The Powderhounds reviewed Engelberg several seasons ago, had an awesome time & are due to return soon. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read the various reviews!

See how Engelberg compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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Tours in or near Engelberg
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