Best Winter Adventures in Interlaken Switzerland
Not only is Interlaken, in Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region, very easy on the eyes thanks to stunning panoramic mountain views, but it is also the country’s adrenaline capitol, serving as the launch point to winter adventure that makes this destination memorable and thrilling.
It starts with a place called Vertical Rush where you can free fall the way a base jumper does to feel the same thrill before catching slack and lowering slowly to the ground. But also includes opportunities for everything from skydiving to paragliding and heli-skiing.
And beyond pure adrenaline thrills, you can escape to remote parts of nature and go snowshoeing through a snow-covered forest to see views of the Alps you have to work for. Come evening, rent a pair of skates and head to Magic Ice, which connects several ice rinks with snaky routes in a festive atmosphere.
Here are my top picks for not-to-miss winter adventures unique to Interlaken.
1. Vertical Rush
I am all for adventure, but extreme sports like base-jumping have always terrified me. But after hearing about the BASE jump simulator at Vertical Rush, I knew I had to try it because it sounded like it provides all the thrills without the risk. Even better, for the price, you’ll get to experience three other challenges: a giant swing, slack line and zip line, all of which take off from the same platform nearly 70 feet off the ground.
Still, despite knowing jumping was safe, I was slightly nervous when my cheerful guide, Ronny, who also built the course, picked me up from the Interlaken hotel and transported me to a remote forest with no sights or sounds of the city that was strangely located just five minutes from town. After harnessing up, I’m clipped in to an electronic rope system, that lifts me quickly to the top of a square wooden base built into the tree.
Ronny hooks the back of my harness to a safety rope bolted into the tree behind me before unhooking the front to let the next person up. It is at this point that I struggle most with the fear of the base jump simulator. My brain just won’t register that it is safe.
The guy jumping before me is terrified, which doesn’t really help with my reasoning. But before I know it, I’m up and getting ready to count backwards from three. I feel secure at the top until Ronny points to a piece of wood in the tree about 40 feet ahead of me. He tells me (though it would be impossible to reach) that my goal is to try and reach for it. This allows you to find a vertical position and free fall the way a base jumper does.
I can feel my entire body quiver and the longer I wait, the more nervous I become. I tell Ronny I am ready to back out, even though in my mind I know I will be safe. It’s the feeling of falling straight to the ground face first that makes me want to chicken out. But Ronny pushes my shoulders forward ever so slightly and before I know it, I am airborne, screaming so loud that my throat hurts afterwards. But not enough to keep me from cracking up at the thrill after, yelping that I did it!
I peddle my feet in the air like I am running, thinking that will bring me down to the ground faster. Once I am lowered, I shout to the others that they are going to love it, which I am sure was the farthest thing from being convincing given the magnitude of my scream.
Afterwards, we gear up for the giant swing, which also involves another massive free fall descent in a pendulum motion, as well as a zip line and slack line from the top of the base.
Vertical Rush Cost: 79 Swiss Francs (includes pick up and drop off). Tours 7 days a week 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. in summer and 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. in winter. Groups limited to 8 people, and run about 2 hours.
2. Twin Paragliding
This adventure, though still absolutely thrilling, comes with an unexpected peaceful flow, after the initial run off the mountain. My guide, David, scooped me up from the hotel in a big white van filled with other tourists and guides. We switched backed up a mountain road just outside town for about 20 minutes, then walked uphill for another 5 minutes before reaching our takeoff point at 4,440 feet. David quickly set up the parachute as other paragliders ran into the distance before being swept up by the wind to glide over the city.
After hooking up my harness to the parachute, it’s our turn.
“I am glad we are going together, because I am scared to ride alone,” he jokes as we run towards the magnificent Swiss Alp mountain range ahead. On the drive up, I expected to be full of fear but with a smooth take off, I don’t feel anything but excitement- my theory is that the Base Jump Simulator at Vertical Rush increased my adrenaline threshold. Our feet are soon lifted off the ground, allowing us to sit back in the harness in a comfortable position.
But after a few quick spirals, I start to breath heavily and grip the harness tightly. To make me feel more comfortable, David motions for me to place my hands in the two handholds used to learn how to steer:
“Pull the left side to turn left,” he tells me. “And now the right to run in that direction.” For the next few minutes, I am beaming as I steer us towards three of the most famous mountains in the region: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
As we descend, I shift my focus on the crystal blue lakes Thun and Brienz that the city sits between. We can see the entire village and the green pastures and farm houses that lay just behind it. Before long we are circling above Ice Magic (a unique ice skating rink concept set up in the winter months) and land right next to it in a park right downtown, just steps from our hotel, after a 20-minute flight. It’s experiences like this that bring a joy that you don’t want ot shake the rest of the day.
Cost: 160 Swiss Francs, which includes pick up and drop off (unless you are close enough to walk back) to your hotel. In all, the experience takes just over an hour, including transport time.
3. Outdoor Interlaken Snowshoe Tour
After several meals of traditional Swiss food like raclette, rosti and fondue, I am screaming for exercise and know a snowshoe tour will do the trick. Outdoor Interlaken, the same company that runs Vertical Rush, offers a three-hour tour that is only a 20-minute drive from downtown. I meet the same guide, Ronny, who helped me overcome my fear of heights at Vertical Rush.
Within minutes, we are soon driving up a windy road past Habkern, a village that feels a world away from the busy Interlaken we just left. Chalets and farms are staggered along the hillside, some of which belong to farmers and cheese makers. Only 650 people call this village home, but several tourists and locals are quick to pass through on the way to Habkern Park, a protected and pristine forest.
After strapping on our snowshoes we take off on the trail, which is relatively flat for the first half until we start an ascent of about a half-mile where Ronny tells me to be ready for the view ahead.
“If Vertical Rush has a soundtrack it would be something like heavy metal. This experience is something more like a symphony,” he explains as we crunch through a snow-covered forest on our way to see a panoramic view of the Swiss Alps.
As we approach, just the caps of mountains catch my eye, prompting me to pick up speed so I can see the full view. It’s the kind of scene that you want to sit and take in, which is easy to do considering we are the only ones at the top. I spot the three mountains I was so captivated by on paragliding flight: Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, and below can barely spot Thun Lake through the haze. Ronny points out the outline of Jangfrau Railway, the highest railway station in Europe.
When it’s time to make our trip back to our starting point, Ronny warns me it will be steep going down. Point proven- after we both took a short tumble down a hill. Both cracking up, we dusted ourselves off with our sights set on the sun deck of Restaurant Jagerstubbli. Here we order raclette and a charcuterie plate which we enjoy from the sun drenched patio. I chuckle to myself, thinking this was the exact reason I needed a burn up a mountain, but there was no better feeling than enjoying more Swiss Specialties after a wonderful hike in an equally wonderful setting.
Cost: 80 Swiss Francs, which includes snacks as well as transport to and from the hotel.
4. Ice Magic
When I am traveling, I am quick to skip out on ice-skating. To me, it’s one of those experiences that once you have done it, there isn’t much excitement the next time, unless you are landing double or triple axles. But when I heard about Ice Magic, I knew it would be worth the spend.
Here you will find several rinks connected by snaking narrower paths that allow you to gain more momentum and skate for a much bigger distance. With so much space, the rinks aren’t overcrowded and will keep you entertained for the better part of the night. I thought I would skate for thirty minutes, just so I could check out the spectacle, but more than an hour later I was still making laps and enjoying the spirit the rink brings for both tourists and locals.
There are several vendors set up near the rink, which sits in the Center of Interlaken, selling food and of course gluewhein and other hot and cold beverages. For a sit down experience, check out the IGLOO Restaurant, which is set up inside an air supported dome similar to an indoor tennis court.
Cost: $18 includes rental and admission onto the rink.
Where to Stay: Hotel Krebs is steps away from the Interlaken West train station and is the middle of the hustle and bustle. When you aren’t jet setting for adventure, you are in the middle of an area with several shops (and yes Swiss chocolate shops as well!) and restaurants. The hotel has been open fore more than 140 years as is named for the family that once owned it. The hotel was renovated in 2008 as a 4 star boutique hotel. On site you will find Chäs-Stübli, a raclette and fondue restaurants that also offers a la carte choices.
Pro Tip: Make sure to check out packages offered by the hotel. In the name of adventure, our favorite is the Paragliding package.
This package includes:
– 1 night in a standard double room
– Breakfast Buffet with sparkling wine
– Welcome drink at the bistro-bar
– 4-course menu for dinner
– 1 Paragliding flight with Swiss-Paragliding
Cost: 499.00 per room for 2 adults (Except valentines day and Easter holidays)
