While Interlaken isn’t situated high up a mountain side or buried beneath layers of snow it’s a winter resort town with numerous alpine ski slopes just a short train ride away on the famous Jungfrau Railway.
Interlaken is considered one of Europe’s premiere adventure destinations with winter outdoor activities like tobogganing, skiing, snow-boarding, ice skating and ice fishing being just a few of the possibilities.
Winter activities in the town between two lakes are centred on an open-air ice skating rinks situated on a large field in the town centre called the Hőhe-Matte. Several ice-skating links are connected by a long ice runway which becomes a hive of activity each evening after the locals finish work. Food stalls, bars, skate hire and a winter lounge set the scene for a party atmosphere for the mostly young people who congregate here.
During the day, para-gliding is another popular tourist activity for tandem rides from launch sites up in the mountains such as Niederhorn, Beatenberg and Schynige Platte.
Swiss Mountain High
The famous alpine train to the Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest train and has been luring visitors to Interlaken for over a century.
This year-round tourist attraction is packed in winter with skiers who alight along the way to the summit to ski down the mountain principally from stops such as Kleine Scheidegg. Ski-equipment hire is available in Interlaken and lessons are also conducted in the main ski destinations.
As the train inches its way up the mountain, the air becomes a little thinner but it’s worth the journey as the summit views are spectacular. Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s longest glacier unfolds below and the two peaks of the Eiger and Jungfrau frame the view.
Facilities at the summit make resemble a mini township cafés, bars (both indoors and outdoors) restaurants, souvenir shops and various viewing platforms. Several trails radiate from these facilities but are best negotiated in summer.
On the return journey, I got off the train at Alpiglen where the three-kilometre long Eiger Run toboggan trail starts. While not the easiest alpine activity, it’s a lot of fun once you get the hang of transferring weight rather than trying to ‘steer’ the toboggan. My advice is to ask someone who knows how to toboggan before starting and to take it slowly down the mountain as there are solid obstacles along the way that you don’t want to collide with on the way to Grindelwald and then Interlaken.
And Now for Something Different
Ice fishing is a relatively new alpine winter sport and perfect for those seeking something different to impress their friends. Apparently, the fish are adapted to surviving in the icy waters of various frozen-over icy lakes.
I caught the train from Interlaken to Erlenbach im Simmental and then walked to Kleindorf for the cablecar to Stockhorn Mountain.
Using an auger, we cut the half a metre of ice to access the chilly waters below. Here, rainbow trout hibernate for winter or until someone like me drops a fishing line into the water. While I didn’t catch a fish, there was something very relaxing about sitting in the snow with the warm sun beating down on me.
Indoor Activities
Many winter visitors to Interlaken are happen to sit in front of log fires, sip hot chocolate and contemplate a fondue dinners. Funky Chocolates in the town centre conduct chocolate making classes while groups staying at the Lindner Grand Hotel can arrange cooking classes with the chef.
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Getting There
Fly to Switzerland on SWISS which flies daily from Singapore to Zurich. Interlaken is approximately two hours away by train with direct services operating from the airport via Bern the capital. The best way to travel around Switzerland is with a Swiss Travel System pass which provides access to trains, buses and ferries.
