Interlaken lies at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland and is located within 40 minutes of the top Swiss ski resorts, Wengen, Grindelwald, and Murren. Interlaken is used as more of a base than as an actual resort. There is no ski resort of its own and the busy atmosphere of the town can remind visitors of home.

General Information
Interlaken comprises the three districts of Interlaken, Unterseen, and Matten. Interlaken has been a classic European destination for many years. It remains that way because there is so much to do here. With three of the best ski resorts so close, Interlaken can keep skiers and snowboarders happy for extended periods of time without boredom.

Interlaken is located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The area where Interlaken lays is the flat area at the end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, between the lakes of Thun and Brienz.

Skiing/Snowboarding
Interlaken shares the Jungfrau Top-Ski Region with the above listed ski resorts. Although the resorts are not connected, visitors can purchase a pass to ski all three. There is also a railway that connects the different areas of the region. <Lift prices for Interlaken>

Beginners should choose a specific base at which they can take classes. Wengen is the best option for beginners. Nursery areas with dedicated lifts are found in all three districts and allow for over 6,000 feet of trails. The intermediate skier will probably get the most out of the Jungfrau Region. There are intermediate runs on just about every hill and there are really no “no-go” areas for the aspiring skier. Advanced skiers will not find the large amount of trails that they may find at other resorts, but they will find a level of advanced skiing that is enough for any accomplished skier. There are multiple off-piste opportunities as well as a fantastic jump.

Grindelwald has become one of the principal snowboarding areas in Switzerland. There are plenty of off-piste possibilities and freestyle opportunities. Night skiing is not available at Interlaken. Heliskiing is available from February onwards. Cross-country loops can be found in Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Interlaken, and also at nearby Bonigen. Cross-country skiing is not very popular at Interlaken. Snowmobiling and ice climbing are not available.

Children's Ski and Winter Activities
Interlaken is a large, bustling town. Therefore, it may not be the ideal for children. Murren and Wengen, on the other hand, are ideal playgrounds for children. Children under six ski for free when accompanied by parents and discounts are available for ages six to 16. There are nursery slopes at Grindelwald, Wengen, and Murren are perfect for youngsters and have dedicated lifts. The ski schools all offer children's lessons.

Apres-Ski
Interlaken is a sizable international destination and has an apres-ski scene to match. Your biggest problem will likely be deciding what to do next. Interlaken has over 40 restaurants ranging from fine dining to Chinese take-out. Dining on the mountain is a little limited and the runs down from the dining are seriously advanced, so the return cable car should be used despite having to pay for it.

Interlaken has a couple dozen bars and clubs and two cinemas. There is a casino and cafes can be found along the length of the main Hohenweg. Afternoon tea and cakes is still found in this part of the Alps.

Attractions
The major local attraction is the Jungfraujoch, which, at 11,333 feet, is the highest railway station in Europe. There is also a casino and a revolving restaurant at the summit of the Schilthorn that was featured in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Interlaken serves as a perfect base for exploring the area. The Swiss capital of Bern is only an hour away by train and the Brunig express takes visitors from Interlaken Ost to Lucerne.

Lift Facilities
The lift facilities here are actually pretty antiquated. At Wengen, if you pass the Wengernalp on the way down, you have to keep going all the way. There is no lift back to the top until you get all the way to the bottom. The Grindelwalkd-Mannlichen area is littered with t-bars and the gondola is pretty slow. New detachable chairs were implemented at Lauberhorn, Schreckfeld, and Gummi. Two new chairs have been installed on the Schiltorn above Murren. The lift system here relies on a somewhat restrictive mountain railway.

Lift Tickets <Lift prices for Interlaken>
The Jungfrau Region lift pass is a great bargain. This pass covers the resorts of Wengen, Grindelwald, and Murren, including the local transport facilities. A hands-free system has been installed, but you must still show tickets for the trains. Discounts are available for children, students, and seniors as well as groups.

Snow Conditions
Since none of the resorts could be described as high-altitude, snow can be an issue. Although the resorts around Interlaken rely heavily on snow cannons, snowmaking relies on low temperatures and this may be an issue in the beginning and end of the season. The last few seasons, though, have seen excellent powder conditions from Christmas until the end of February and the conditions can remain good for many days after a fresh snowfall.

Travel Time
Most visitors to Interlaken fly into Zurich or Geneva airports. Zurich has direct connections to Interlaken via train. Visitors from Geneva will have to change at Bern. Travel time from Zurich is a little over two-and-a-half hours and from Geneva is about three hours.

Please call 888-222-2110 for bookings to Interlaken Switzerland.