If you’re looking for your next alps adventure (flying like an eagle or flying down a mountaintop on a scooter), head to the Switzerland, because adventure awaits at Grindelwald First. But if panoramic views of gorgeous snowy mountaintops and luscious waterfalls aren’t your thing, don’t bother.
These fun thrills with an insta-worthy backdrop sure don’t come cheap. But don’t ask yourself “How can we afford to go?” Instead you should be asking, “How can we afford not to?”
First Thing’s First… What the *%#! is a Grindelwald???
If you were as clueless as I was, let me tell what Grindelwald is – a mountain town in the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps, one that’s filled with adventure.
Grindelwald is the actual town. Grindelwald First is the mountain top that awaits you after a 25-minute ride from town. The ride itself is an adventure – an aerial gondola that soars over local village huts, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Once you arrive at the top, there’s a stillness to the air. A calmness you don’t want to let go of.
Until…you hear the screams of the First Flyers. Or First Gliders. Or the mountain carts puttering down the gravel road.
I know you’re itchin’ to spread those wings, but first be sure to test your fear of heights on the First Cliff Walk.
First Cliff Walk
The views from here are worth the price of admission (or gondola ride in this case), even if you don’t do any of the other adventurous activities at the top.
I didn’t think the walk was scary until that baby in my arms got a bit squirmy. The baby carrier would have been a better call.
It’s free to walk the narrow metal walkway (well, “free” after the pricey ticket to get to the top).
The kids sure loved it-
Get those nerves ready for the glass bottom floor at the end!
First Glider
I had dreamt of this adventure for three years, since we missed it our first time around in Switzerland. So this time, I was determined to soar through the air like an eagle.
Four people hang face down from an eagle. Sounds cheesy. Looks cheesy. But the views were incredible!
You suit up, load into the bird, clip in, the bird slowly reverses up the mountain on a cable, and then….wham-o! Off you go, flying down the cable! I had a blast.
My husband, Jeff, said he wanted it to go faster. His white knuckles said otherwise.
I just saw on the Jungfrau site that you have to be 10 years old to glide. Next time kiddos.
First Flyer
My parents were nice enough to watch our kids while we jetted off like teenagers to fly like eagles, so the first flyer will have to wait for a return trip.
The First Flyers are individual suspensions, similar to zip-lining, but you’re sitting upright in a harness. And don’t worry (Jeff), these look faster than the Glider.
Jet-setting to the Alps in the winter? You’re in luck. They have a winter First Flyer and First Glider. Bundle up.
First Mountain Cart
The Jungfrau site says they are a cross between a go-kart and a sled. Umm I’m no scooter expert, but they looked like go-karts to me. They looked rather slow on flat ground so you’ll need some patience, but once they hit that decline it looked more fun!
The minimum height to ride is 53″. They are only available from mid-May to mid-October, just FYI.
First Trottibike Scooter
This is a sort of stand-up bike with a wide footboard. Minimum height is a bit over 49″. They have mini-trotti’s available for kiddos around that height.
Trott (or trotti?) all the way down from Bort station to the Grindelwald First station at the bottom.
This is another activity only offered mid-May to mid-October.
(Not the First) Alpine Playground
Throughout the alps of Europe, there are endless playgrounds for the little ones to run wild. Why don’t we have more of that in the rest of the world, or at least the States?
We didn’t get a chance to check this one out, but we saw it from afar at the Bort station. Nets, ropes, streams…oh my. According to the site, it’s only open mid-May to October.
Easy Hike to Lake Bachalpsee
We have yet to do this, but it looked like a relatively easy 50-minute walk from First station to the lake, where you can catch reflections of the mountain, Shreckhorn. The pics on their site remind me of Lake Stellissee in Zermatt (which is another one of my favorites – we went twice in three years!).
You can brave the cold and do this in the winter, depending on the amount of snowfall.
Marmot Trail
If you’re wanting a longer hike in the summer, trek this two hour one to Schilt. The kiddos may see marmots along the way. After you work up that appetite, grill up some yummy lunch on the barbecues, and enjoy it on a marmot bench.
Honestly, I had to look up what a marmot is. If your rodent knowledge is lacking like mine, I’ll tell you it’s a giant ground squirrel with a large head and short stocky legs. Its shrill warning signals can be heard for miles. There’s your marmot knowledge for the day. You’re officially ready for the alps.
Adventure Awaits at Grindelwald First
Now how’s that for some fun adventure?!
Will the jaw-dropping Cliff Walk be your first adventure at Grindelwald First???
