Good evening,

Well, I usually have something planned for my "week-end snow fix" but I have nothing planned for this week-end so I decided to organise my own event!

After a wonderful day in Sörenberg organised by Ferkel (thanks again!), I've decided to return to the Alps but I'm not sure whether to go to Engelberg or Flumserberg.

I intend to use the SBB's "Snow'n'Rail" offer and there's only about 10 CHF difference in the price (from Biel: 93.20 CHF for Engelberg and 104.60 CHF for Flumserberg).

Has anybody been to both? Is one clearly better than the other?

Hope some of you can make it as going alone doesn't sound like much fun but I'll do it if I have to!

Been to both, which is better depends what you are looking for.

Flumserberg can get crowded but generally there is enough area to spread out. There are a number of decent red runs and a few relatively easy blacks. Top run is about 2500m and currently 225cm snow cover which is the best in a while.

Engelberg higher (3300m at highest section) overall bigger and more demanding. Not really recommended for beginners which is something flumserberg actually has.

Weather is going to be warm so engleberg could be better in warm conditions due to the height.

In terms of interest in coming if you go Flumserberg I may be interested as Flumserberg is easier then engleberg for me from Winterthur. I was already looking at organising a team event from my work which I do regularly on the sunday but could be tempted so I am open to Flumserberg although sunday is my preference but if there are skiers going i am game.

Thanks for the info Wallabies!

That's one clear vote for Flumserberg and like I said, I don't mind where we're going once we're going!

As for what day to go, I chose Saturday as it then gives us Sunday to recover but it also depends a lot on the weather so if it's looking grim for Saturday and good for Sunday, we'll be going Sunday!

I hope we can get a small group going so guys, keep posting and let's come up with something for this week-end!

Hi guys,
I just came from Hoch Ybrig(Einsedeln region) today, it was a disaster for me...i do not like to ski through the snow banks so...i just prefer something more relaxing like a CLEAN, LARGE SLOPE !?
Flumserberg it's more than ok ,I do not know your skills level but for me it is good enough.I'm used to go alone skiing unfortunately.
I do not know if I am available for this week-end due to the fact that I am stuck in organizing something but I'll keep in mind that someone it's thinking not to go alone skying
I will follow the thread to know what will be the status and keep an eye on the weather, at 2500 m a blade of wind it's not welcomed.
I'll let you know in time if I will be able to join you.
Cheers

Anytime I've been to Flumserberg there have been far too many people for it to be any fun.

I've seen a good few meetup groups who organise snow sports events. I've been thinking of going to one or two of them myself one of these weekends.

Hey Christian!

I'll treat your post as another vote for Flumserberg.

Keep an eye on the thread during the week and hopefully we'll see you at the week-end!

I'm up for joining on Saturday. Im in Bern so Flumserberg is slightly closer.

I have been to Engelberg many times. It has some very good skiing, and a separate area for beginners lower down the mountain.

Engelberg can get busy but skiing is really excellent if there is good snow and nice weather.

Hopefully in both Engelberg and Flumserberg it will be less busy than normal because of the high franc.

Cheers
Paddy

Hey there Steffano2002 - I'm scheduled to be away this weekend but if things don't work out I'll let you know.

Chalk and cheese. Flumserberg's a small pretty area with mainly cruisy runs, not much steep stuff, and a reasonable proportion of easy-ish off-/side-piste available. Not really much of a challenge for a good skier/boarder but a nice place nonetheless.

Engelberg's significantly larger, so you need to think about which bits you're heading for, and has little in the way of intermediate pistes, although is very good for beginners and advanced/expert. And of course offers some of the best accessible off-piste of anywhere in the world

Be aware that this coming weekend will be very busy in either resort. It is possible in Engleberg to pay 10chf for a VIP ticket that lets you shortcut the morning queue at the main lift up to the Titlis area (in fact I've got some spare if anyone wants to buy them). That's the only bit that can be problemmatic even when it's busy. Someone recently suggested that queues are more of a problem at Flumserberg, but I can't comment on that myself, as it's a year or five since I was last there.

Well, Skichick and I will be in Engelberg as usual. Not sure yet if we'll be teaching, but if you PM me I'll give you my number and we can arrange to meet up if you're coming.

I think you perhaps need a new map.

Doesn't really seem to be working out that way, as far as I can see. I suspect that the skiing market has got used to the exchange rates to some extent, as they've been this way (more or less) for the last couple of seasons now, and things improved recently compared with last summer.

One thing I have noticed though, is a massive increase in the number of Brits in Engelberg. Maybe we've been doing a good marketing job - I know there's been a few newspaper articles in the last few years - but it used to be unusual to hear (British) English around the mountain lifts and restaurants, but it's much less so this season.

Hi

Engelberg is by far the better resort in my opinion. I have only been once compared to the six times I been flums, and I had the time of my life, despite the relatively poor conditions I.e blind skiing below 1500m. But there is so much to enjoy above that.

I loved it so much it has replaced Arosa as my fave place and been booked up for next weekends lads ski hols with the boys coming over from uk.

That said, flums is a fun place when you can avoid the crowds and I am planning to go this saturday

Alright everybody,

I read all the posts again and I've decided to go with Engelberg!

I apologise to all those who wanted to go to Flumserberg but based on most of your previous experiences, Engelberg seems to be the better resort (and people in work have been telling me the same).

I will contact a Moderator to Edit the Thread Title and add an RSVP thingy (haven't got a clue how to do this!).

So, now that we know where we're going (and so far the weather forecast looks decent for Saturday), who's coming?

I checked the trains and it will take me around 3 hours to get there () from Biel so if I leave at 06:20 I'm hoping to be there around 09:30 or so (need to call the SBB tomorrow to confirm though).

Can't wait!!!

Haha! Nice!

Well have fun, I will still be doing Flums this weekend as I go Engel next and just want a quick get easy get away.

Haha yeh i got confused with another place beginning with F.

Steffano2002, glad you chose Engelberg then since it is closer. Look forward to further details

might happen that will work through the main menu:
Events-Social Evenets - then on the right you have Add new event

I've already got provisional plans on Saturday (Hasliberg) or I would've joined you. If they fall through then I might still do.

If you're getting the train then when you arrive at Engelberg station there is a bus that will take you to the bottom of the lift up the mountain (Titlis).
To get to the bus, come off the train and walk through to the other side of the ticket office. The bus will either be there or arrive within a few minutes. (thanks to excellent swiss planning )
Alternatively it is a 5-10 minute walk if you're feeling energetic. Bit tricky to describe the route but turn right out of the station and there might other people walking too.

It will likely be very busy at the bottom station so be prepared to queue for passes and to get on the gondola. (or take up Ace on his queue skip offer )

As mentioned above, depending on the levels of who is going it is worth planning where you are going as the areas are more spread out than other places and takes time to get between them. Recently I was there with a group of mixed abilities and we skied/boarded different areas then met up at restaurant x for coffee or lunch which worked nicely.

Impressive commitment to snow travelling nearly 3 hours to get your hit

Well yes, but it's nothing to do with the train arriving. There are six shuttle bus lines, five of which service the Bahnhof-Talstation route, so at normal times it's unlikely that you'll be waiting more than five minutes for the next bus. http://www.titlis.ch/upload/busfahrp...er_2011_12.pdf
VIP tickets can be bought with your normal liftpass at the ticket desk, so you don't need me involved. But as I've got a few spare, anyone who buys their pass online to avoid the liftpass queue, then decides they'd like the VIP ticket can buy one from me. If I'm around, and if they've arranged to meet up on arrival.

Oh, and on that note, since a couple of weeks ago there are two machines outside the lift station where standard day passes can be purchased, hopefully cutting down the ticket queues to a more manageable level on busy weekend days. But then it may put more pressure on the lifts at certain times.

Feel free to join if your plans fall through! Always nice to meet new people!
Well, I checked the SBB website and it seems the bus isn't included in the Snow'n'Rail ticket.

Here's what's on the website:

Transfer: from Engelberg station, 10 minutes on foot to the valley station of the Titlis Rotair gondola railway
The offer is not available between (and including) Stans and Engelberg stations

That's why I hope somebody who knows Engelberg pretty well will join us on Saturday! I'd hate for this outing to be a failure because of me! (That's why I'm secretly hoping your plans fall through!)
The commitment is on a par with the level of addiction (i.e. extremely high!)

No, it's Free!

Most people find it's quicker and less hassle to wait for the next bus than to carry skis and boots to the lift station. Except for lunchtme, when careful scrutiny of the timetable is advised.
You could always book one of us for guiding with Prime

As I said earlier, I'd love to meet up if we're not teaching - just PM for contact details.

Oh Super! That's great news!

Well it's costing me nearly 100 CHF for the snow'n'rail ticket alone so have to relax with the spending a bit! However, may be interested in a Snowboard lesson for my girlfriend! Are you mainly ski guides? Do you know any (cheap) English-speaking snowboard instructors?

Oh and as you clearly know Engelberg pretty well, where would you advise us to go on a saturday morning to beat the queues? Or is the only option to pay extra for those VIP tickets?

Gosh I really hope somebody who knows Engelberg well will join us!

So far there are two of us going for sure: wsb556 and myself. Wsb556 has been in Engelberg already but not sure how familiar he is with the whole resort...