Engelberg is a ski resort in Switzerland , which has been hosting athletes for many years. It is located in the territory of the canton of Obwalden, 35 km southeast of Lucerne, at the foot of Mount Titlis (3239 m).

The town of Engelberg at the foot of Mount Titlis

Engelberg is a very small town in Switzerland with a population of about 4,000 people. Tourists who come here to ski and jump from the ski jumps will not be able to get lost. Dorfstrasse, the city’s main street, is home to most of the shops and restaurants, and not far from the train station, there is a tourist office on Klosterstrasse.

Engelberg has brought Switzerland world fame, because important winter competitions are held here: the Ice Ripper Style Trophy snowboard tournament is held in November, and the European Night Ski Jumping Cup is held the following month.

In Engelberg, any guest gets used to it very quickly and begins to feel at home. It is especially pleasant that in the morning you can wake up not from the noise of cars (from the traffic in the resort – only a free shuttle bus), but from the sun peeking into the room. The resort is picturesque at any time of the day, but in the evening it literally transforms, when the ratrak lights are lit on the surrounding peaks, and the streets turn into a picture from a Christmas card.

What Engelberg offers to skiers

Mount Titlis

Given the fact that of all the mountains in central Switzerland, Titlis has the highest altitude, and the Jochpass pass, known as the center of the ski area of ​​the same name, is one of the snowiest places in the area, it is not surprising that the slopes here are of excellent quality. Moreover, in Engelberg, constructions are used that intensively create artificial snow.

The ski season lasts from the beginning of November to the middle of May, but you can ski on the glaciers and jump from the ski jump in Engelberg during 9 months of the year.

General characteristics of the resort trails

Engelberg is located in a valley at the foot of the huge Titlis Glacier (3239m), and downhill skiing and snowboarding is available in either of two separate areas around the resort. Easier, recommended mainly for beginners and families with children, the Bruno zone on the northern slopes of the valley offers more than a kilometer of altitude difference and is served by five lifts. There are not many tracks in this area – 12 km, incl. 5 km of red, and the location and topography of the slopes will allow children and adults who have recently started skiing to feel comfortable and confident.

The second, more extensive region is located to the south of the resort and offers an extremely interesting and varied topography of the slopes. Skiers can warm up on the blue and training tracks on the Herschnialp plateau (1250 m). Above is the larger level of Trebsee (1800 m) with a frozen lake, from where you can take cabins to the rather difficult tracks of the northern slopes of Titlis. The upper station of the Klein Titlis lift is at an altitude of 3028 m, and the Joch Pass at an altitude of 2207 m can be reached by cable car. Having climbed the slopes of Jochstok (2564 m), it is worth going down the southern hilly and sometimes gentle slopes towards the Engshtlenalp or back, to the north along fairly steep sections to Trebsee. This skiing area is served by modern lifts, red and black tracks prevail here. Lovers of freeriding and “fighting with the slope” will appreciate the lower half of the impressive three-kilometer track that leads from Titlis from the Gletscherlift bugel to Stand (2428 m). And you definitely shouldn’t miss a real gemEngelberga , a 12-kilometer route with a drop of 2,000 meters, leading from Titlis down to the resort. Snowboarders and those who like to let loose on the slopes can have plenty of fun in the fan park in Stande or in the half pipe in Johpas.

Main slopes

The main area is located a little further to the south and has a very original landscape: 2 large-scale plateau steps. First Herschnialp (1250 m), where there are bugels and “blue” tracks, then Tryubsee (1800 m), where there is a frozen lake. From Trübsee in the cabin, you can drive higher to Klein Titlis (3028 m), to the northern part of Titlis with difficult routes, or go up on the chair lift to the Joch pass (2207 m). There are several directions by which you can go further from Yohu:

The main slopes of the Engelberg resort

• descend back to the north and along a rather difficult descent, where you can make ski jumps – to Tryubsee;
• return to the hilly and sometimes steep descents located from the south, leading to the Engshtlenalps;
• climb to Jochstok (2564 m).

Ski lift

There are 21 lifts serving the southern sections. There are 73 km of marked routes on the territory of these areas, and the majority are difficult ones. Even for those professionals who have repeatedly made ski jumps from the ski jump in Engelberg, the lower part of the Roteg route from Titlis is a serious challenge – it follows a glacier with many crevasses, steep and icy sections without snow.

Springboards for jumping snowboarders

There are also good places for snowboarders, in particular, equipped fan park on the Stand slope with jumps and Terrain Park near Johu, which has a quarter pipe, big airs, half pipes, jumps. There are 3 routes for sledding enthusiasts with a total length of 2,500 m.

Ski passes

For skiing and jumping on Engelberg Titlis, you can buy a ski pass for one or several days. At the same time, if the days run consecutively, then as the number of days increases, the cost of each of them becomes less.

Children

Engelberg is a real family resort, and children are treated with special respect here. Sledges, skis, snowshoes, an ice rink, an adventure park, excursions are just a small part of the special children’s program. On Tuesdays, cartoons are shown in the ski school near the Titlis lift station (from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., CHF 6). Upstairs there is a real igloo village where you can learn how to build a snow house just like hundreds of years ago. In addition to traditional active games and entertainment, the sports center offers climbing courses (from 10 years old). The Swiss Ski School operates a kindergarten for children older than 2 years. You can leave the child for the whole day or for a few hours, with lunch. Children older than 3 years learn the basics of mountain skiing from 9:15 to 12:45 (including lunch).

What else can you do in Engelberg?

During the season, in addition to skiing and jumping from the ski jump, or in the summer, when the weather in Engelberg is not conducive to such sports, you can find other types of entertainment.

Recreation

There are 14 ski shelters right next to the slopes, many cafes and restaurants are open. There is much to do in the town itself: restaurants, discotheques, a cinema, a casino, a massage salon, a solarium are at the service of tourists, and there is also a sports center with a swimming pool, a tennis court, an ice rink and a climbing wall. In the summer, cycling and hiking (a type of sports hiking tourism) are popular.

Cable car to the top of Titlis

Engelberg is located at the foot of Mount Titlis, on which there are hiking trails, paths for mountain and scooter bikes – in the summer many events are organized here. You can climb to the top not only on foot – in 1992, the world’s first ropeway with rotating cabins was built. There is a unique ice park with an ice cave on the mountain, a panoramic restaurant and a karaoke bar await visitors. In addition, from a height of 3239 m, there are very good photos of Engelberg in Switzerland.

Small lake Tryubsee

There is an ideal place in Engelberg for lovers of hiking in the Alps – it is the vicinity of Lake Trübsee. A hiking trail runs from the lake, which can be reached by lift, and further through the Joch pass – the path along it is interesting with views of the nearby mountains and Lake Tryubsee.

In summer

Rest and nature alone with lush green meadows, white snow, gray rocks, red peaks and blue mountain lakes. 360 kilometers of hiking trails and many kilometers of railways and lifts – all this forces you to explore the valley again and again. A wide range of activities, from abseiling to wood carving, promises an exciting pastime. Several themed tours offer a great opportunity to explore the countryside on foot. The hiking paradise of Trübsee, a popular starting point for tours to several mountain lakes, is located halfway to Titlis. Other outdoor activities include climbing one of four cliffs, paragliding, rafting and canoeing, and cycling. And playing on the 18-hole golf course will be no less exciting.

You can also treat yourself to relaxing serum baths in the open air in summer or a warm Brunni sauna in winter. There are many other ways to improve health: a sea bath, whirlpools, Kneipp methods of cleansing from impurities, beauty sessions and much more. In the Sports Park, you can also do ice skating, figure skating, tennis, badminton, rock climbing, and swim in outdoor and indoor pools.

 

Overview of cultural monuments

Benedictine monastery

Those traveling in Switzerland are attracted to Engelberg not only by skiing, but also by various attractions. In 1120, a Benedictine monastery was built here, which is still active today. The main church of the complex was built in 1730, its design is made in the Rococo style.

Interior of the Benedictine monastery, Engelberg

A cheese factory operates on the territory of the monastery complex – it is a small room with glass walls, through which visitors can observe with their own eyes all the stages of cheese making. By the way, in the souvenir and cheese shop on the territory of the monastery complex, you can buy not only cheese, but also yogurts made here – you cannot find similar products in city stores.

The monastery complex is located east of the railway station, it can be visited:

from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays,

on Sunday – from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,

a 45-minute sightseeing tour is held there every day at 10:00 and 16:00.

Free entrance.

Other interesting places

• Titlis and the Rotair cable car – the highest point of the glacier excursion, the longest ski and snowboard park in Central Switzerland, accessible by this cable car.
• The Four Lakes Tour is a wonderful tour from the mirror-smooth Lake Trüb to the deep blue Lake Engstlen, from the turquoise Lake Tannen to the picturesque Lake Melch.
• The Brunni trail is 12 information panels that provide vivid information about nature and the life of people and animals in the mountains.

Where to stay in Engelberg

Engelberg has more than 180 hotels and guesthouses, many apartments and chalets . Most of the hotels belong to the 3* or 4* category, characterized by quite acceptable prices by Swiss standards.

Accommodation at this resort can be selected and booked through well-known search engines, using various search parameters, for example, star rating, room type, prices, reviews of former guests. You can also study the photo, which shows where the housing is located in Engelberg, what the interior looks like.

Alphaven Apartment C 4 star hotel

Located in Engelberg in the Obwalden region, Apartment Alphaven C features a balcony and garden views. Free private parking is available to guests. The area is popular for skiing and cycling.

The apartment has a DVD player, a kitchenette with a dishwasher, a microwave and a fridge, a living room with a sofa and a dining area, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and a bath. Amenities include a flat-screen TV with cable channels.

A sauna is at guests’ disposal. There is a ski storage room on the territory.

Titlis-Rotair Cable Car is 2.6 km from Alphaven C Apartments, while Brunniban Cable Car is 2.1 km away. The distance to Zurich airport is 98 km..

H + Hotel & SPA Engelberg 4-star hotel

The four-star spa hotel H + Hotel & SPA Engelberg is located just 300 meters from the train station in the heart of the Engelberg resort . The hotel offers local cuisine using only fresh produce, a spa and free Wi-Fi.

We offer rooms with a balcony, the walls are decorated with wooden panels and there is a pleasant atmosphere.

The typical Swiss restaurant Titlis offers breakfast, half-board meals, and a themed buffet. The Urchig restaurant with a fireplace and à la carte service is decorated in a country style. Here guests will be offered dishes of traditional Swiss cuisine, prepared from local products, and a selection of imported wines.

The hotel terrace offers a wonderful view of the west and the spa park. Guests can relax with a drink at the Regina bar.

The hotel’s free wellness center includes an indoor pool, a Finnish sauna, a steam room, and a Kneipp foot bath. The elegant Venus hot tub is ideal for couples.

Hotel Schweizerhof 3-star hotel

Hotel Schweizerhof is located in the picturesque village of Engelberg. Hotel Schweizerhof is located in a building that was built more than 100 years ago. It offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi.

Among the amenities of the soundproofed rooms are a modern bathroom with a hairdryer, cable TV, a minibar and a hospitality corner. Electric kettle on request and for an additional fee at the reception desk.

In winter, the à la carte restaurant serves traditional Swiss cuisine based on the famous Swiss fondues. Half-board meals are available upon request. Drinks can be ordered in the bar and lounge.

Hotel Schweizerhof has a sauna and a fitness room.

On the territory of the hotel you can buy ski passes and use the ski storage room. A free ski bus to the surrounding ski slopes stops just a few steps from the hotel. The distance to the cable car is 300 m, and to the railway station of Engelberg – only 50 m.

Hotel Cathrin is a 3-star hotel

This Alpine chalet-style hotel is located in the Engelberg ski resort , just 100 meters from the panoramic Titlis Rother gondola lift. A wellness center with a sauna, a steam bath and a gym is at guests’ disposal. Free Wi-Fi is connected throughout the territory. The hotel is designed for non-smokers.

The center of the resort and the train station can be reached in 8 minutes from the Cathrin Hotel, and the commune of Stans is a 20-minute drive away. Free private parking is available to guests.

The quiet and compact rooms at Hotel Cathrin have a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a work desk and a safety deposit box. The bathroom with a shower is equipped with a hairdryer.

In the morning, a buffet breakfast is served in the spacious dining room.

Accommodation in a double room with breakfast in a 4 * hotel – 135-195 CHF per person per day depending on the season; in a 3* hotel with breakfast – 80-130CHF.

There are many apartments and private mini-hotels for rent in the town without category and category 1-2 *. Four-room HHH level chalet for 6-8 people – 140-260 CHF / day per chalet (surcharge for cleaning, linen and resort fee).

Without any doubts, a trip to Engelberg can be recommended to those who want to ski in Switzerland at minimal costs.

Restaurants

In Engelberg , there are more than 50 restaurants offering both traditional Swiss cuisine and cheese dishes, as well as cuisine from different countries of the world.

Despite its rather compact size, the resort offers a good selection of restaurants and bars, and après-ski, especially on weekends, pleases with a special atmosphere and a lively crowd.

Titlis Ramada Treff and La Strega serve European and Italian cuisine. For the best pizza, you should go to the fashionable Bierlialp (open until 11 p.m.), but in the peak season you need to book a table there. The best restaurant for gourmets – Axel’s – rated by Gault Millau at 15 points (out of a possible 20). A more simple and traditional atmosphere in the cozy Alpenclub. For mesmerizing views and French cuisine with a Swiss accent, head to the Waldegg Hotel restaurant. If typical Swiss dishes and pizza-pasta are a bit full, take a look at Chill’s Thai Food Engineering – unusual sensations are guaranteed.

For direct communication and apresque, the new Chalet bar at the lower station of the lift or the Mexican Yucatan and Eden are suitable. One of the best pubs is located in Hotel Central, and to go back in time you can visit the stylish bar in Hotel Europe. Wine connoisseurs will enjoy a good selection at The Wine Bar (next to Axel’s restaurant). For a good aperitif and a real old-timey atmosphere, you can take the old small funicular up to The Terrace bar. There is also a restaurant serving French cuisine. Engelberg is home to one of the oldest discotheques in Switzerland – Spindle, which opened in 1968. More modern dancing – CCBaR Musicbar and Disco.

Mountain restaurants

Engelberg boasts a good selection of mountain restaurants: there are 17 of them. The whole complex of establishments is located at the very top, on Mount Titlis. Lovers of more refined dishes and panoramic views should choose Stübli, however, visitors to all the restaurants at the top will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the mountains. Pizza and pasta at reasonable prices are right here at Pizzeria Mamma Mia, and you can quickly eat a plate of soup or salad at the self-service restaurant. On sunny days, the terrace is open, and in any weather you can warm up in one of the highest mountain bars in Europe – Ofen Bar, located at an altitude of 3250 m. Visitors to the igloo bar in Trübsee, where a village of real snow igloos is located, will experience unusual sensations.

 

How to get to Engelberg

The most convenient way to get from Zurich and Geneva to Engelberg is by train, changing in Lucerne.

Zurich Central Railway Station

Trains depart from Zurich train station to Lucerne every half hour, the journey takes 2 hours, and a second-class ticket costs CHF 34.

Trains depart from Geneva every hour, and you have to pay a little more for the ticket than when traveling from Zurich.

There is a direct train from Lucerne to Engelberg, the journey time is about 45 minutes, the ticket will cost 17.5 CHF.

Bus from Engelberg railway station

In season, you can get to the slopes from Engelberg railway station by bus, which takes skiers there for free. From June to mid-October, buses run every half hour to take tourists to the hotels: if you have a train ticket or a Swiss Pass, the ride will be free, in all other cases you have to pay 1 CHF.

From Lucerne to Engelberg can also be reached by car – 16 km on the A2 highway and then another 20 km on a beautiful mountain road.