GRINDELWALD OR MUERREN

Grindelwald and Muerren are entirely different places. Muerren is MUCH MUCH more secluded and quaint and is only accessible by gondola and train...no cars allowed there. Gindelwald is nice, but is also full of tour buses of tourists.

Grindelwald has much longer ski runs. Around Murren, because all the pistes tend to be at a higher elevation (and thus, steeper), the skiing is a bit more advanced.

I am curious about the "no cars in Muerren" issue. As we were hiking around the area - North Face walk and from Muerren to train station - we saw cars, trucks, and roads, including a road up/down from Lauterbrunnen. Apparently natives, farmers, or some combination are permitted vehicles. Is anyone familiar with particulars? I realize this has no relevance to travel, pure curiosity.

Farm equipment such as tractors abound. Also there are some luggage carriers...tiny trucks with a bed on the back to carry luggage. But no, you would have seen no family cars driving around the streets of Muerren.

Well, actually, you CAN drive to Mürren, but you are not supposed to (and in winter, it may be impossible). Locals can get permits to drive the rough, steep supply road. It is not open to the public. If you walk out of town a bit to the outer "burbs" you will see many cottages with SUV's parked outside.

Anyone who has stayed in the supposedly carless nirvana of Mürren know that there are vehicles going back & forth on the two main streets quite often, and that is a bone of contention with many visitors. But it's still a great place. Don't let that deter you. But YOU can't drive there.

Our B&B owner told us a story of a tourist who was unaware of the vehicle issue, had a rental car and began driving into the valley from Interlachen as is was getting dark, armed with some sort of Google map generated directions. She got herself on the supply road in full dark and after an hour or so of going up & up SLOW, seeing no other cars, and certain that she was hopelessly lost in the Alps, she arrived in Mürren completely frazzled and livid that no one told her about the road!

The "burbs" or Muerren - now there's a funny one!

You should probably do some research on ski sites or forums, or look at ski guidebooks (there are many). Murren is a much more charming place but maybe not the best for beginning skiers that want easy terrain. Wengen should be one of your choices, too--Wengen and Grindlewald access the same ski areas.

think about Wengen also, which hosts the oldest and longest downhill World Cup ski race (2.65 miles). I was in Wengen on a Rick Steves' tour (in the summer). It's a beautiful place. Hotel Falken (sp?) is great.

Thank's everyone for the suggestions! I need it.