Head to Wengen for your 2013 skiing holiday

It's never too early to book your annual holiday - especially if it's going to involve skiing. If you're researching your next winter getaway, Wengen in Switzerland is one resort that comes highly recommended. Read on to find out why.

The top of Europe

Wengen is situated conveniently close to the Jungfrau and the so-called top of Europe, otherwise known as Jungfraujoch. This is Europe's highest railway station and sees crowds of visitors head here each year to drink in the unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains.

Standing at an altitude of an impressive 3,454 m, the summit is home to a special sightseeing hall, the Sphinx, from where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view while taking a rest. If the day is particularly clear, you might be able to see as far as the Black Forest in Germany and the Vosges mountain range in France.

Winter sports

Wengen is located near three popular ski areas: Grindelwald-First, Murren-Schilthorn and Kleine Scheidegg-Mannlichen. Grindelwald-First offers 60 km of skiing routes to choose from, many of which provide excellent views of the north face of the Bernese Alps.

If you're a beginner, the special slope for slow skiers should be your first destination. This provides a safe area in which to get the hang of skiing and is also a great place to meet fellow nervous skiers! If you're more advanced and want to try something different, visit the BodmiArena on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays to go skiing at night.

Snowboarders will want to have a go on the spectacular superpipe at the White Elements snow park, while snowshoeing, ice skating and tobogganing are some of the other sports available here.

Head to Murren-Schilthorn and you can ski along 54 km of slopes situated as high up as 3,000 m above sea level - making for some incredible views. The Im Rad snow park is great for snowboarding, while there are several winter hiking paths to choose from should you opt to explore the area on foot.

The local revolving restaurant is a fantastic place to have a break from skiing, as it provides some beautiful views of the nearby peaks. Top tip: if you're looking for spring ski deals for families, the weather conditions in Murren-Schilthorn sometimes allow skiing to continue long into the season.

If you really want to challenge yourself, take a trip to the Kleine Scheidegg-Mannlichen skiing area. More than 110 km of slopes are available here, including those at the Lauberhorn. If the name sounds familiar, that's because the area is where the downhill races of the Lauberhorn World Cup take place each winter.

Relaxation

The Jungfrau region is home to a wealth of bars, clubs and restaurants perfect for relaxing after a hard day on the slopes. Wengen itself has the likes of the Blue Monkey electronica club, the lively Piano Bar, Schonegg Bar for whiskies and coffees, and Allmend, where you can enjoy an authentic fondue.

Raclette is a speciality of the Cava cellar bar in Grindelwald, while Chuck 82 in the same area is the place to go for a top quality steak. Finish the night by going dancing at the Mescalero Disco or sipping on a high-end cocktail at the Regina Piano Bar.

These are just a few of the reasons why Wengen is a great place to stay on a skiing holiday - you'll probably discover many more after you arrive!