Set in the heart of Switzerland at the foot of the mighty Titlis mountain (3,239m), Engelberg offers winter visitors challenging skiing on two distinct ski areas, with keen powder hounds scooping a total 9,999m of vertical descent in a day by skiing all of “Engelberg’s Big 5” (Galtiberg, 1,960m; Steinberg, 1,275m; Laub, 1,194m; Steintäli, 576m; Sulz, 729m).
Come summer, freeriders are replaced by hikers enjoying over 310 miles of trails, which range from child-friendly nature strolls to the 28.5-mile Buiräbähnli Safari. The latter is a multi-day adventure that combines a circular hike from Engelberg, with overnight accommodation in rustic farmsteads, and rides on eight Buiräbähnli – local dialect for farmer’s cable cars. Traditionally used to transport farmers and their families from farms inaccessible by road, some of these cable cars date to the 1960s and are designated Swiss cultural assets.
A far cry from the winter bustle of Engelberg’s modern rotating Titlis cablecar, these vintage cable cars offer a rare glimpse into the tranquil pastoral world of Switzerland’s high-Alpine farms.
Summer secret: Treat tired post-hike feet to an invigorating barefoot “tickle path” (Kitzelpfad) as you plunge them into the natural Kneipp-style trail in the scenic Härzli lake, at the top of the Brunni chairlift.
What to book: Ski Lodge Engelberg (0041 41 637 35 00) has double rooms from £155 per night, B&B. You can fly from London to Zürich with SWISS from £120 return, and travel to Engelberg by train in two hours.