Comparison
Engelberg vs Grindelwald Wengen: which has more reliable snow?
Engelberg or Grindelwald Wengen? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from thirty winters of weather data.
The season at a glance
Each cell is one month: the share of days with 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow at mid-mountain over the last 30 winters, from brown (often thin) to deep blue (snow-sure). Blank means almost none.
The short answer
Engelberg has had the more reliable natural snow: mid-mountain was snow-sure in 5 months of the year, against 3 at Grindelwald Wengen. Month by month, Engelberg has the edge in November, December, April and May.
Month by month
November: Engelberg 9 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 1 of 30 snow-sure winters (63% and 26% of days).
December: Engelberg 28 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 20 of 30 snow-sure winters (98% and 80% of days).
January: Engelberg 30 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 29 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 98% of days).
February: Engelberg 30 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Engelberg 30 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Engelberg 30 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 14 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 74% of days).
May: Engelberg 14 of 30, Grindelwald Wengen 0 of 30 snow-sure winters (76% and 9% of days).
A snow-sure winter is one where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of that month’s days.
Height and terrain
Engelberg and Grindelwald Wengen are 38 km apart as the crow flies. Engelberg first, then Grindelwald Wengen: Village 1,050 m against 945 m; Mid-mountain 2,035 m against 1,723 m; Summit 3,020 m against 2,501 m. Mapped downhill runs: Engelberg 42 km, Grindelwald Wengen 88 km (OpenStreetMap).
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 39% of days at Engelberg and 23% at Grindelwald Wengen.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Engelberg or Grindelwald Wengen?
Engelberg has had the more reliable natural snow: mid-mountain was snow-sure in 5 months of the year, against 3 at Grindelwald Wengen. Month by month, Engelberg has the edge in November, December, April and May.
Which has better snow down to the village, Engelberg or Grindelwald Wengen?
In February, Engelberg: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 39% of days, against 23%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.