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| Photo by Freeimages.com/Natalie Killian |
by The Daily Telegraph, July 25, 2016
The mainly treeless, shady slopes of Titlis rise almost 2000m above the town. The separate slopes of Brunni are sunnier and gently wooded.
Extent of the slopes
The pistes in the main area are limited and fragmented by the glaciers and rugged terrain. There are two main sectors: Titlis-Stand and Jochpass. In 2015 an eight-seat gondola was built to go to Trübsee and on to Stand, replacing the two six-seat gondolas from the village to Trübsee. An old funicular goes to Gerschnialp and a cable car goes from Gerschnialp to Trübsee. From there, there’s a choice of a gondola or an old cable car up to Stand. Then there’s a further cable car (which rotates 360° on the way) to the summit of Klein Titlis. From Trübsee, you can also head for Jochpass via a two-way chairlift to Alpstübli. At Jochpass the top is served by a fast six-pack. The much smaller Brunni area is served by a cable car on the other side of town.
Engelberg resort guide table Fast lifts
The new eight-seater gondola plus high-capacity cable cars provide the main access.
Queues
The new gondola’s increased capacity should reduce the often big queues which have formed at village level at weekends and in peak season; reports please. The old Engstlenalp double chair below Jochpass can have queues. Pistes can also get busy.
Terrain parks
There is a kicker and airbag at Jochpass where you can practise tricks.
Snow reliability
The high, north-facing slopes of Titlis and Jochpass keep their snow well and have a long season. Piste grooming is ‘very good’.
For experts
There is lots of superb off-piste. The classic Laub run is 1000m vertical down a hugely wide, consistently steep face with great views of town. We enjoyed even more the less popular 2000m vertical Galtiberg run from the top, which ends among streams and trees, with a bus back to town – a guide is essential. The off-piste from the top of the Jochpass area to Engstlenalp has been recommended and the terrain at the top of Titlis looks great but is not without danger. There are few black pistes; the itinerary from Titlis to Stand is steep and often mogulled.
For intermediates
Most runs are steep reds, and there are few easy cruises. The Jochpass area is often quieter than Titlis, with enjoyable blue and red runs, including lovely long ones down to the valley station (especially nice in the mornings when they are quiet).
For beginners
There’s a good isolated beginner area at Gerschnialp, smaller areas at Trübsee and Untertrübsee. You have to use lifts to and from these slopes (limited passes are available); and there are few longer easy runs to progress to – all far from ideal. Some beginners go to Brunni.
Snowboarding
The beginner area is served by draglifts, so it’s not ideal. But there is excellent freeriding if you hire a guide. Beware of the flat start to the runs down from Jochpass.
Cross-country
One reporter’s friend was very impressed with the 35km trails and loops (some at altitude).
Schools and guides
There is a choice of four schools. The guide office offers heli-skiing and ski touring.
Families
Globi’s Winterland at Brunni is best for families, with play areas and lifts. The Swiss ski school takes kids from age three, the kindergarten from two. Some hotels offer childcare; the tourist office has details of babysitters.
Where to Ski and Snowboard 2016
This guide is taken from Where to Ski and Snowboard, written by Dave Watts and Chris Gill.
Click here to buy a discounted copy of the book.
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