Chalet Espen is perfect for families and we welcome children of all ages. We do offer discounts for children staying with us. Please see our Prices & Booking page for details.

Accommodation and Meals

The accommodation in Chalet Espen is quite flexible, which means that we can comfortably accommodate various combinations of adults and children. For example, while the double bedrooms in the newer part of the chalet all have double beds in them, we can add a single bed to two of these rooms so that they can be used as twin or triple rooms for children. Alternatively, four of the rooms have space to add a cot or small child bed for younger children.

We also have a single room in the newer part of the chalet which connects to and shares a bathroom with one of the double rooms. This combination is ideal for parents and children, or for two/three children to share.

In addition, in the original part of the chalet we have a large double bedroom with four bunk beds in it, and a further single bedroom. These two rooms share a bathroom (which has a bath with shower over). The low ceilings in this part of the chalet make the rooms very cosy and perfect for children.

We provide a high tea with a special menu for younger children at 5.30/6pm although older children may prefer to join the adults for dinner. (We would ask you to bring formula milk and baby food for infants as these can be difficult to track down locally.)

We have a limited number of high chairs, baby listening devices and changing mats available in Chalet Espen, as well as a small selection of children’s books, board games, Xbox games and DVDs - your children can of course bring their own favourites.

In The Resort

Engelberg is committed to attracting families and so there are plenty of activities and facilities designed especially for children.

The swimming pool Sonnenberg in the centre of the resort has a children’s area and there are two ice skating rinks (free for children under 6) which are great for all the family. Sledding is another activity which can be enjoyed by everyone and for fun in the snow, the “Yeti Park” on the slopes of the Brunni mountain is hard to beat.

Skiing

Prices for lift passes are significantly reduced for children. Children up to 15 years of age receive a discount of about 60% on the normal adult prices and for children under 6, all lift tickets are free.

There are no less than 5 skiing areas for children in Engelberg.

Young children can start out at the “Yeti Park” on the Brunni mountain which is lots of fun and has three handle tows and three magic carpets. Also great fun is the “Winterland” area at Klostermatte, a lovely spot behind the Monastery where there are more handle tows and magic carpet rides. The third location for children learning to ski is called “Starterland” which is located at Trübsee on the Titlis mountain. Here there is a fantastic snow-tubing area as well as a small magic carpet. Food and drink is available for hungry parents at all three locations.

For children taking their first steps beyond the complete beginner stage, there are two further areas designed especially for them. The first is at Gerschnialp on the Titlis mountain, where there is also a great family friendly restaurant and terrace. Higher up on Titlis at Untertrübsee there is a further beginner’s lift. The tourist office says the restaurant here does the best meringue dessert in the world!

Ski School

The Engelberg ski school prides itself on being child-friendly and emphasises the need for children to have fun while they learn to ski. Many of the ski instructors speak English and your children will be in very good hands here.

For children between 3 and 5 years of age, ski school takes place every weekday (between 9am and 3pm) at the “Winterland” area by the monastery or at the “Yeti Park” on the Brunni mountain. Lessons may be booked for mornings or afternoons only, or for the whole day, and for one, three or five days. Lunch is available and you can also arrange for your children to stay at the kindergarten after their lesson finishes (see further information below).

Ski school for children between 6 and 15 years of age is run on weekdays between 9am and 2.15pm. Once again, lunch can be provided and younger children may stay at the kindergarten after their lesson has finished. Lessons take place on Titlis and the emphasis is on fun and action. There is a ski race and medal ceremony on Fridays when children receive their prestigious Swiss Snow League certificate.

Prime ski school also offer ski lessons for children. They have private lessons for children between 3 and 5 years of age, as well as two, three and five day group lessons for children between 6 and 16 years of age.

Kindergarten

Engelberg has an excellent, modern kindergarten located in the main Titlis cable car station. The location is ideal as it means that parents can drop their children off at the kindergarten before taking the cable car up the mountain in the morning, or before joining ski school, which also meets there. The convenient location also makes it easy for parents to meet their children at the kindergarten for lunch or at the end of the skiing day.

The kindergarten is open daily from 8.45am to 5pm and takes children from 2 years of age. Supervision is available by the hour, for mornings or afternoons only, or for the whole day. Children can have their lunch in the kindergarten and there is an entertainment programme in the afternoons including story-telling, crafts and painting.

Nursery

Day nursery care for children of 6 months upwards is provided by various English-speaking mothers in the resort at a very reasonable price, and we can help you arrange this if you would like us to. We may also be able to arrange baby-sitting for you, but please give us as much advance notice as possible (preferably before you come).