Winter in Interlaken: Your Guide to the Swiss Alps When the Snow Falls
Interlaken in summer gets all the attention. The paragliding, the lake cruises, the canyoning. But I'll tell you a secret: winter Interlaken might be better. The crowds vanish, the Alps get a fresh coat of snow, and the entire region transforms into the winter wonderland that Switzerland was invented to be.
Why Winter Is Interlaken's Hidden Season
Summer Interlaken is packed with tour groups. The Jungfraujoch trains are full by 9AM. Paragliders fill the sky like colorful birds. Hotel prices peak.
Winter Interlaken: 60-70% fewer tourists. Hotel rates drop 20-40%. The mountains are covered in snow, making the views arguably more dramatic. And the winter activities — skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, fondue — are as good as anything in summer.
The catch? Some attractions close. Lake cruises stop. Harder Kulm viewpoint closes. But Jungfraujoch runs year-round, Schilthorn runs year-round, and the ski resorts open from December through April.
The Weather
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Snow Days
Conditions
December
3°C
-3°C
8-10
Cold, frequent snow at altitude
January
2°C
-4°C
8-10
Coldest month, best snow
February
4°C
-3°C
7-9
Ski season peak
March
8°C
0°C
5-7
Warming, spring skiing
Interlaken town sits at 570 meters — it gets snow but not as reliably as the mountains above. The ski resorts at 1,000-2,970 meters are snow-certain December-March.
Dress in layers. Thermal base layer, insulating mid-layer, waterproof outer. Good boots with grip for icy streets. Sunglasses are essential — UV at altitude is intense, even in winter.
Winter Events
Christmas Markets (Late November — December 24)
Interlaken's Christmas market on the Hoheweg is intimate compared to the big German markets, but the setting — fairy lights with the Jungfrau massif as a backdrop — is unbeatable. Mulled wine (Gluhwein, CHF 6-8), raclette, and roasted chestnuts.
Lauberhorn Ski Race (Mid-January)
The longest downhill ski race in the world, held at Wengen above Lauterbrunnen. Watching World Cup skiers hurtle down the Lauberhorn course at 160 km/h is exhilarating. Spectator passes from CHF 50.
Harder Potschete (December 2)
A traditional mask procession through Interlaken where locals dress as terrifying creatures to chase away evil spirits. Think Krampus but Swiss. Unique cultural experience.
Winter Activities
Skiing and Snowboarding
Interlaken sits between three major ski areas:
Grindelwald-First — Intermediate-friendly, stunning views, the First Cliff Walk (suspended over a 90-meter drop)
Wengen-Murren (Jungfrau Ski Region) — Largest area, 206 km of slopes, access to Schilthorn
Axalp — Small, local, budget-friendly alternative
Lift passes: CHF 70-85/day for the Jungfrau region. Multi-day passes are cheaper per day. Rental equipment: CHF 50-70/day.
Jungfraujoch in Winter
The Top of Europe experience is even more dramatic in winter — the Aletsch Glacier under fresh snow, -15°C at the summit, and the observation deck surrounded by a frozen landscape that looks extraterrestrial.
The Good Morning Ticket (first train, cheaper) is the move. Check webcams. Dress extremely warmly — it can be -10°C to -20°C at 3,454 meters even when Interlaken is 5°C.
Fondue by the Fire
Fondue isn't just food in Switzerland — it's a ritual. A pot of melted Gruyere and Emmental cheese, bread cubes, white wine. The Restaurant Taverne in Interlaken does a classic version (CHF 28-35 per person). The rule: if your bread falls off the fork into the pot, you buy the next round of drinks.
Raclette — melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, pickles, and onions — is the other winter essential. Try it at any mountain restaurant.
Snowshoeing
Rent snowshoes (CHF 20-30/day) and explore winter hiking trails without the skiing commitment. The Harder trail above Interlaken and the Lauterbrunnen valley trails are particularly beautiful under snow. Guided snowshoe tours: CHF 50-80.
Winter Paragliding
Yes, it runs year-round (weather permitting). Flying over the snow-covered Alps and frozen lakes is arguably more dramatic than summer. CHF 170-200 per person. Dress extremely warmly — it's cold at altitude.
Packing for Winter Interlaken
Thermal base layers (merino wool is ideal)
Waterproof jacket and pants
Insulated boots with grip (for icy streets and snow)
Warm hat, gloves, scarf
Sunglasses and sunscreen (UV at altitude is intense)
Hand warmers (cheap, effective)
Sample Winter Day
8:00 AM — Hot chocolate and a croissant at a bakery. Watch the Jungfrau catch the first morning light.
9:30 AM — Jungfraujoch first train. Check webcams first.
2:00 PM — Return to Interlaken. Late lunch at a mountain restaurant: rosti (Swiss hash browns with cheese and ham, CHF 18-22).
4:00 PM — Walk along the Aare River or explore Interlaken's shops.
6:00 PM — Fondue dinner at Restaurant Taverne. Drop your bread, buy a round.
8:00 PM — Hot tub at hotel (many winter hotels have outdoor heated pools). Watch stars over the Alps.
Winter Interlaken trades green meadows for snow-covered peaks, paragliding for skiing, and lake cruises for fondue by the fire. The essentials — Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Lauterbrunnen — are even more dramatic under snow. The crowds thin. The prices drop (slightly). And the Alps in winter are the Alps at their most Alpine.
Bring layers. Check webcams. Don't drop your bread in the fondue. That's the winter playbook.
