Wengen, Switzerland

GETTING THERE: Although you can find better skiing throughout Switzerland, Wengen is one of the most picturesque Swiss mountain towns you can find. It will take you between 2.5 and 3 hours to get here from Zurich via train stopping through Bern, changing at Interlaken, then Lauterbrunnen. If you drive it will take less time, but you'll have to park at Lauterbrunnen. From the main train station in Wengen you can find a phone bank with direct lines to many Wengen hotels.

LODGING:

• Hotel Brunner - (+41 33 855 27 21) call upon arrival to the train station (look for lodging phone bank). Staff will come pick you and your luggage up. During the winter this hotel is right off a ski run, making it somewhat ski in/ski out. Outside of the hotel is an outdoor bar setup for apres ski, offering beautiful views of the Jungfrau Region.
  
• Wengen Best Western - good location in town.
• For other lodging options you can try Eiger, Victoria 0r Caprice.

ACTIVITIES:

• Hiking
• Skiing/Snowboarding - lessons are advertised by Privat Snowsports School.
  
• Snow Shoeing
• Sledging
• Curling

FOOD:

• If you are skiing, hiking or on the trains go up the mountain to Restaurant Bahnhof at Klein Scheidegg. On a sunny day you'll see great scenery and scenes as people enjoy the weather food and drink. Some recommendations - rosti, gulash, hot chocolate.
  
• Coop right near train station for cheap eats or week long shopping
• For fondue/raclette try the hotel restaurant at Residence Bernherhof Hotels - (+41 33 855 27 21). From the main train station follow signs for the cable car. The restaurant is on your left past the cable car.
  

As for skiing if you are taking the train go with the Snow N Rail (92 CHF with a halbtax card). Expect to pay a 5chf deposit for the lift card deposit (you can turn in after at the ticket office or at the train station). Take the cable car to the backside of the mountain. You'll get great views of the Jungfrau and Eiger peaks on the way up the cable car. By skiing all the way down from the top of the cable car you can ski to the village of Grindewald. Your ski pass will work at Grindewald, but it will require at least one bus transfer.

If you keep working towards the Jungfrau you'll find some better skiing in Wengen. The far side of the mountain is host to the Wengen World Cup Race every January. Work your way towards the tee-pee for some good eats/relaxing with outstanding views. At the train station you'll find picnic bench seating and a packed outdoor cafe overlooking the Jungfrau. After your stop, take the train up the mountain for a new part of the mountain (towards the Jungfrau - your ski pass will work). On a powder day Wengen is as good as any spot in Switzerland simply because of the views. If the snow isn't so good, enjoy the scenery!