The so-called bodmiARENA is located on a sunny valley slope in Grindelwald village, close to the valley station of the First Bahn. Here, beginners of all ages can practice making their first turns on two skies. There is a surface lift as well as a magic carpet lift serving this child-friendly area. The activities on offer in the bodmiARENA are rounded out with numerous additional activities for kids, such as snowtubing. Thanks to its favourable position in the valley, it is also a good destination on bad weather days.
Magic carpet lifts at the valley station of the Grindelwald Grund-Männlichen lift
Aside from the Bodmi practice area in the valley, there are also two magic carpet lifts belonging to the “Skischule Skiparadies Männlichen” at the mountain station of the gondola.
Best runs for families and “First Flieger” in the First area
While the Kleine Scheidegg - Männlichen only boasts 17% blue-marked trails, the First area has a total of 53 kilometres of runs (over half) belonging to the simplest category (as of March 2016). If it wasn’t for the two aging surface lifts Bärgelegg and Hohwald, it wouldn’t be farfetched to call First the perfect family ski resort. Aside from the picturesque runs for families, the ski area also boasts the “First Flieger” – offering nerve-tingling fun for young and old alike. You can swoop down into the valley for 800 meters hanging from a steel cable at speeds of up to 84 kilometres an hour. Over 50 meters above the ground – you almost feel as if you are flying directly towards the Wetterhorn. As up to four people can take this amazing trip at the same time, this is truly fun for all the family. You can get strapped in at the mountain station of the Firstbahn and fly down to the Schreckfeld middle station.
Numerous sled runs throughout the ski area
Another major plus point is the range of sled runs spread throughout the ski area (marked purple on the trail map). In fact, the region is home to the world’s longest sled run – the so-called “Big Pintenfritz” which runs for 15 km down from the Faulhorn. However, this particular run also demands a roughly two and a half hour hike to reach the starting point. If you want to take a run straight from within the ski area itself, sled run no. 55 back down into the valley from the Firstbahn lift is suitable for young and old alike. In the Männlichen area, sled runs nos. 61, 62, 63 and 64 all lead back down to Grindelwald. Sled run no. 66 meanwhile winds its way down from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen.