This Stunning Alpine Village In Switzerland Is A Natural Winter Wonderland

Some people live for summer, with tropical destinations at the top of their vacation checklists. However, if hot, sticky weather is your worst nightmare, you may be dreaming of escaping to a winter wonderland. If that dream destination is full of ski chalets, pine trees that look like they've been sprinkled with powdered sugar, and the gentle hush of a morning after a snowfall, it's time to plan a trip to Wengen, Switzerland. Pronounced "ven-gen," this village looks like it came out of a holiday storybook. Wengen sits at the base of the Bernese Alps on a plateau that is close to a mile above sea level. If you're an artist, you'll want to bring your paintbrushes, as the views here are breathtaking. There are even benches dotted around the village, called Staubbach benches, that allow you to see the beautiful sunset and Staubbach Falls, the third-highest waterfall in Switzerland. 

Wengen is car-free, so getting there can be a little tricky. You'll have to fly into one of the nearby airports, then drive or hire a car to get to Lauterbrunnen. (If you drive yourself, you'll have to park there.) Bern Airport is around 38 miles away, Zurich Airport is around 90 miles away, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is around 105 miles away. From Lauterbrunnen, you take the Wengernalp Railway, the world's longest cogwheel railway, to Wengen, which is around a 15-minute trip. (This train also takes supplies to this pedestrian-friendly place.) The Wengernalp also goes to Kleine Scheidegg; Grindelwald, one of Switzerland's most iconic destinations; and the Jungfraujoch, one of the top tourist attractions in Switzerland.

If you're looking for gorgeous winter wonderland vistas, you can take the Wengen Männlichen cable car up to the Männlichen station, which is a little under 1.4 miles above sea level. The 10-minute trip up the mountain allows you to see the frosted peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch. There are a number of hiking trails at the top, including the relatively short Royal Walk to the summit with signs that tell you about the area. If hiking isn't your thing, there are restaurants and a cute cow slide for kids. Make sure you stay long enough to watch the spectacular sunset. 

Wengen hosts the Lauberhorn, which is the longest downhill World Cup skiing race, but the village is also perfect for the casual skier. There are runs for every level in the Kleine Scheidegg ski area, which you can get to by train. You can also take the Wengen-Männlichen cable car up to the Grindelwald-Wengen skiing area and ski back down to the village. If it's your first time, consider booking private lessons at the Ski and Snowboard School Wengen, which also has snowshoe hikes. 

However, simply spending time in town is the recipe for relaxation. You can rent bikes (though you may want to book in advance) at Imboden Bike in Lauterbrunnen to get around town or do some shopping. Make sure you pick up some of the delicious local cheese, schnapps, and beer. No matter what you're doing, however, you should prepare yourself for the area's winter temperatures. Winter has highs in the upper 30s to 40s Fahrenheit, with lows between the high 20s to mid-30s. Bring appropriate clothing to stay warm.

While you're visiting Wengen, stop at the Beausite Park Hotel to dine at the Restaurant Altitude. This French restaurant with Swiss and Mediterranean inspiration has dishes like celery and apple soup with walnut pesto, Swiss Alpine saffron risotto, fried salmon trout fillet from Rubigen, and a homemade vegan burger. You can also try Alpenkräuter Restaurant Bären at the Bären Hotel. It has culinary delights like Alpine tapas with local dishes, brook trout with a citrus-mountain mint sauce, pulled beef burgers, and vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.

There are lots of charming places to stay in Wengen, and each is prettier than the next. Hotel Edelweiss looks like a ski chalet out of a novel, with wooden balconies and bright shutters. It's a five-minute walk from the train station, so you can easily get there after your travels. At the time of this writing, rooms start at around $125 a night and include breakfast. There's also an à la carte kitchen with wine, beer, and dishes like fondue and raclette cheese. You'll also find a sauna that you can book for a private après-ski experience.

The Beausite Park Hotel has more to offer than just Restaurant Altitude. It's been around since 1898, and it's close to hiking and skiing trails, nestled right in the mountains. There's a variety of accommodations including junior suites, single and double rooms, family rooms if you're bringing kids, and an apartment that can sleep up to seven with two bathrooms. There is also a day spa where you can get massages, facials, and foot care after a day of skiing or hiking. Finally, if you're planning a trip to Switzerland, here's the only map you'll need to enjoy the best of this beautiful country.