PlanetSKI Hits the Mountains & Valleys in Switzerland

It was, as they say, a game of two halves

So often PlanetSKI is told that there’s much more to winter in the mountains, and so often we’re not fully convinced.

Other pastimes when we could be on the slopes?

Er, no thanks.

But Switzerland’s Jungfrau region and its elegant lakeside town of Interlaken has made us think again.

THE SKIING

Grindelwald has one of the most dramatic settings in Europe, gazing up at the mighty north face of the Eiger and its surrounding peaks.

It’s part of the Jungfrau Ski Region that encompasses two valleys and three resorts, with more than 200km of runs.

Grindelwald-Wengen, linking the two picturesque villages, with more than 100km of piste, is central.

The Eiger Express gondola, panoramic cars seating 26, speeds up from Grindelwald Terminal just outside town, opens up a world of piste with views of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch.

It’s easy enough to ski over to pretty Wengen, and you can even take the snaking, tree-lined Lauberhorn, at 4.5km the longest men’s downhill on the circuit.

It’s easy to get there and back before lunch, or one can hop on the train for one stop to Lauterbrunnen for lifts into the Murren ski area, another 54km of runs, including those on the Schilthorn.

Here the Schilthorn 20XX (that’s its name, not an editing error!) gondola, completed for the 24-25 season, reaches 2,970m Piz Gloria, for a stunning run down.

Great lunch spot is the restaurant at Kleine Scheidegg, actually a railway station serving local trains as well as the Jungfraujoch train heading up inside the mountains.

But that’s not all.

Back in Grindelwald there’s Grindelwald-First, a standalone area across town – a resort in itself anywhere else, with 56km of runs all the way down the Bus Stop a bar in an old bus actually at the stop for the bus back into town.

This is an area perfect for beginners and those who like other activities.

There’s a fun park, two zipwires, First Glider (four passengers hanging horizontal, side by side) and First Flyer (seated), and First Cliff Walk, a dizzying cliff-hanging metal walkway – all free with lift pass.

The skiing is lofty, from 2,333m in Grindelwald, and 2,970 in Wengen, so snow is all but guaranteed well into April.

I visited in early February and although there has been no snow for a week, conditions were fabulous and the skies were mostly blue.

A week later snow was falling nicely.

Plenty of hotels but search but Boutique Hotel Glacier, just down the hill away from town but with panoramic Eiger views from the lounge (and from the rooms with their balcony), and right by the bus stop for Grindelwald Terminal.

INTERLAKEN

Sitting between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and surrounded by peaks, Interlaken also manages to be a river town.

The Aare, looking little more than a canal on its 5km path through the ancient streets, passes through both lakes on its 295km path from mountains to the Rhine.

The train reaches here in a couple of hours directly from Zurich airport and its regular Swiss Air flights, and it’s then 30 minutes by cog railway to Grindelwald. https://www.interlaken.swiss/en/

It’s a gorgeous place to stay for several nights, whether one of the extravagant hotels from another era – the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand – or something simpler.

The 70s tower block of the Hotel Metropole might be questionable but it’s all recently revamped inside.

All rooms have spectacular views, 84 of the 96 looking at the Jungfrau, including my 13^th-floor room with paragliders cruising past to the park opposite for landing.

And the 18th-floor Top o’Met restaurant and Metro bar have best views of all.

Another option is Hotel Salzano on the edge of town, chalet-style with contemporary bar, gardens growing herbs, a cool spa and restaurant serving ‘Alpine natural experience cuisine’ also including ‘things from the woods’ – my tasting menu featured a host of dishes, not least pancetta with cauliflower and tartare of char.

Interlaken offers splendid lakeside strolls and river walks that take in tiny bridges, medieval buildings and train crossings.

Paragliding

Interlaken’s paragliding is reckoned some of the world’s most dramatic… snow-covered mountains, glistening lakes.

Paragliding Interlaken was a company there at the start, more than 35 years ago, and reckons to run 40,000 flights annually with up to 190 daily.

From their main street office it’s a pretty 20-minute hairpin ride up the mountain to a south-facing (and, for us, grassy) slope.

Five minutes of laying the kit out, then I was strapped into a sling, pilot behind me, running down until the surprisingly balmy February breeze filled the ‘chute and we were off.

Pilot Mike, a local, steered us down to skim a tree-faced cliff, twirled us over town and river, selfie stick waving.

A 15-minute thrill ride dropping several thousand feet encircled by snowy peaks then as we headed down close to our hotel.

I agreed to a gymnastic finish… twists, turns and feet flying in all directions, before dropping gently on to the glass.

Kayaking

Now, I’m not known for my kayak skills, but this was wonderful.

A brief bus ride (free with the complimentary tourist card) and I was at Lake Brienz.

It was 9.30am, the sun hadn’t topped the mountains and it was cold, even in the watertight suit covering from feet to neck.

Kayak on Lake Brienz – Image © PlanetSKI/Nick Dalton

Hightide Kayak School’s  Patricia led our group into the middle of the lake and the world changed as the sun popped up.

We gently paddled into the Aare, then followed the cliffs on the lake’s far side to a little chapel where we sat with tea and biscuits.

More paddling then back to the little beach where we wallowed in the chilly water to show just how waterproof our suits were.

Raclette Rafting

Wild and wacky, eating molten cheese while being rowed around in the darkness on an inflatable raft.

Room for eight, each with their own mini stove, melting copious thick slices of raclette cheese.

Departing from the same beach as the kayaking, our early evening dinner under the stars was led by Dave, a wide-eyed New Zealander who manned the oars, pausing only to get the chilled white wine out from under the table that all but filled the craft.

There was a crazed feel as, in ski gear and under blankets, we made our haphazard way.

Organising company, Outdoor, also has a daytime Chocolate Fondue Float… choccy dunking along with wine (or tea, if you must).

Jungfraujoch

“The Top Of Europe” is the slogan, a train ride through the Eiger and to a viewpoint 3,454m up the Jungfrau, Europe’s highest railway station.

No matter how many times you do it, the journey is remarkable – electric trains now but they’ve been doing it since 1912.

Grindelwald Station – Image © PlanetSKI/Nick Dalton

It’s a splendid day out with outside views over the Unesco-listed Aletsch glacier, the Alps’ largest – 22km long – and a panorama of France, Germany and Italy.

Indoors, there’s an ice palace, tunnels, ice sculptures, shops and restaurants.

Less than an hour to the top from Grindelwald Terminal, starting with the Eiger Express gondola, and the same again from Interlaken Ost rail station.

Train Time

One of Switzerland’s most scenic rail journeys is the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, a near two-hour ride, carriages that are mostly windows for views of six lakes, starting with Lake Brienz, ending with Lake Lucerne.

Explore Lucerne’s sophisticated streets or just go (and come back) for the ride.

There are waterfalls, rivers, a cogwheel section over 1,000m Brunig Pass and steep gradients that make your soup lean dangerously if you’re having lunch in the excellent but unfussy ding car.

Special, yet a regular train – and it’s on the Swiss Travel Pass all-in ticket.

Verdict:

It’s simple – don’t do one without the other!

Split a week between Grindelwald and Interlaken, or go for a long-weekend break just for the activities.

There’s too much fun here to just stick to skiing – but the skiing’s too good to give it up for other things.

Perhaps, take two trips.

FACT BOX

*Grindelwald-Wengen ski area is open until April 26, 2026. *Grindelwald-First is open until April 6, 2026.
*Murren ski area is open until May 3, 2026.
*Find out more about skiing in the Jungfrau Ski Region, including lift pass prices, as well as Jungfraujoch tickets, CLICK THIS LINK
*For Outlook Raclette Rafting and other activities including night sledding with fondue, skydiving and learn to ski and snowboard packages CLICK THIS LINK
*For year-round Hightide Kayak School tours CLICK THIS LINK
*For year-round paragliding and other activities including jet boat trips from Paragliding Interlaken CLICK THIS LINK
*Swiss Travel Pass options and prices can be found here CLICK THIS LINK
*For more on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, CLICK THIS LINK

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