Lauterbrunnen in Winter: Planning the Perfect Winter Getaway

There are few places in the world graced with as much scenic beauty as that of Lauterbrunnen. It’s beautiful in any season, but there is something truly special about Lauterbrunnen in winter.

Regardless of season, it’s easily one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, and should be on everyone’s Swiss road trip itinerary.

If you are coming to Lauterbrunnen in winter, you may be wondering how much of the village you can actually enjoy in the off season.

I used to live in Switzerland, and was lucky enough to visit Lauterbrunnen in many seasons and can report that yes! Winter is a good time to visit Lauterbrunnen.

Here’s everything you need to know when planning the perfect Lauterbrunnen winter trip.

Lauterbrunnen in winter with snow on the mountains just after sunset.

Is Lauterbrunnen Worth Visiting in Winter?

If your main reason for coming to Lauterbrunnen is just to feast your eyes on the beautiful village, then winter is beyond a magical time to visit.

I don’t know about you, but there is something about a layer of snow that makes every single Swiss village’s charm increase exponentially. Lauterbrunnen is no exception.

See More: The Most Beautiful Swiss Villages to Visit in Winter

But of course, as beautiful as Lauterbrunnen in winter is, there are of course a few downsides to visiting in the off-season. Here are some other things you may want to consider before planing your trip.

Does it Snow in Lauterbrunnen?

Lauterbrunnen in December onwards almost guarantees snow will be on the ground. The village itself sits at an altitude of 802 meters above sea level, giving way to colder temperatures and higher chances of snow that sticks around.

This is both good and bad. The snow adds another element of beauty, and the village does start to resemble a scene from the inside of a Christmas snowglobe. But it does make many walking paths and outdoor activities inaccessible.

Are Things Open in Lauterbrunnen in Winter?

two yellow ski lifts in the Swiss alps in the Jungfrau region

Some attractions that normally bring people to Lauterbrunnen in summer will be closed in winter. This applies to most hiking trails, including the popular hikes up to Stabbauch and Trumbach waterfall.

The risk of ice and snow make certain trails too dangerous to climb. As a result, they’ll be officially closed off to the public from early November. The date usually varies but it will coincide with the weather conditions that year.

Other popular summer activities in Lauterbrunnen such as paragliding, climbing the mountain by via feratta, and climbing will of course be unavailable in winter.

On the upside, cablecars going up the mountain to the upper villages will remain open as usual.

Lauterbrunnen Accommodation in Winter

Some guesthouses may close for the season, but many remain open. From hostels, to traditional wooden chalet huts to resorts, you’ll have most options available in winter.

What is There to do in Lauterbrunnen in Winter?

People cross-country skiing in a village near Lauterbrunnen in winter

Visiting Lauterbrunnen in winter is definitely worth it for those who’s primary goal is to take in the view of the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley itself. You won’t get to partake in the wonderful hikes that are available in warmer months, but some trails are still open on the upper part of the mountains (more on that below).

You can enjoy the beauty of the village, take the cable car up the mountain, visit traditional alpine villages, take one of the most scenic train rides of your life through the Alps, and even go tobogganing or snowshoeing in winter.

Can you go to Jungfraujoch in Winter?

A view of Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe in winter.

If your plan is to combine your trip to Lauterbrunnen with a visit to Jungfraujoch, you’ll be pleased to know this is possible in winter.

In fact, winter is a great time to visit the Jungfraujoch as there will be fresh snow on the mountains each day, creating an unforgettable scenery. The Jungfraujoch train runs on a regular schedule in winter, giving visitors easy access.

Additionally, there will be ski runs, sledding routes, and winter hiking trails accessible from Jungfraujoch.

Lauterbrunnen Weather in Winter

The weather throughout winter hovers somewhere right above freezing for the majority of the time, with January being the coldest month.

With high temperatures of up to 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) and as low as 0 degrees Cesius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), it’s fair to assume it’ll be damn cold in Lauterbrunnen in winter.

Snow is very likely to be on the ground from early on in the season. It’s not uncommon for snow to begin as early as the beginning of November.

Lauterbrunnen also receives an average of 95 days of snowfall per year. Since the bulk of these days occur during the 3 winter months, it’s safe to expect snowfall when visiting in winter.

How Many Days in Lauterbrunnen in Winter?

A yellow and green train running in front of a snowy mountain in the Swiss Alps, with a photographer taking a photo in front.

Accommodation in Lauterbrunnen will be open in winter, so you can stay overnight if you wish. For those who plan to visit the upper villages around Lauterbrunnen and venture up to Jungfraujoch, an overnight stay would be perfect.

However, given the villages small size and the decreased access to more of the outdoor activities in winter, for many of us, a day trip to Lauterbrunnen may suffice.

Either way, I would advise you to conjoin a trip to Lauterbrunnen with visits to nearby villages and towns in the Jungfrau region. Some places not to miss around Lauterbrunnen in winter are Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Thun Lake.

See more: Visitor’s Guide to Grindelwald – a Swiss Winter Wonderland

Getting to Lauterbrunnen

You can take the train to Lauterbrunnen directly, as it has a train station right in the village.

However, in winter it may be advisable to have a car. The train will take you to the village but if you’d like to go further into the valley, you’d have to hike or drive.

Hiking is enjoyable in summer, but it may be uncomfortable in the winter weather. I’d advise renting a car from either the city you fly into, or Interlaken nearby.

About Lauterbrunnen Village

Lauterbrunnen is a small village, tucked away from the rest if the world, in a mountainous valley in the Bern Canton of Switzerland. It’s located in the heart of what is considered the Jungfrau region, an area famed for dramatic mountainous peaks and traditional alpine villages.

With a population of a little over 3,000 people, the village does well to maintain its identity as a quaint, alpine village despite high foot traffic from tourists.

Things to do in Lauterbrunnen in Winter

There are still a ton of ways to enjoy Lauterbrunnen in winter, and even some activities exclusively available in this season. Here are the best things to do in Lautebrunnen in winter.

Admire Lauterbrunnen Village

The number one draw for travelers to come to Lauterbrunnen is simply to see the village itself.

Lauterbrunnen village easily resembles something from out of a fairytale. You’ll be greeted by an idyllic, charming Swiss village situated in a valley, with its very own free-falling waterfall in the background.

Top off the scenery with some snowcapped mountain peaks on each side, and a fluffy layer of snow all around the village to set the scene for possibly one of the most beautiful winter settings you’ll ever see.

The main thing to do in Lauterbrunnen village is just walk around and admire the traditional wooden chalets. You can also visit the church, the most prominent structure in the village.

Take the Cablecar to the Car-Free Village of Murren

The traditional Swiss alpine village, Murren,near Lauterbrunnen in winter.

Take the cable car up the side of the mountain to reach Mürren. This unique alpine village is situated at 1,661 meters above sea level – roughly 800 meters higher than Lauterbrunnen. It is the highest inhabited village in the entire Bern Canton.

Murren is car-free, meaning you can enjoy the traditional aspects of this alpine village without any of the modern hustle and bustle.

Take the Scenic Route on the Jungfraujoch Cogwheel Train

The Jungfraujoch train is a train route that starts in Bern, and goes all the way up to Jungfraujoch station. The cogwheel train itself is almost 100 years old, and still operates just as it did almost a century ago.

This train ride takes you up through incredibly scenery, as it makes it’s way up the side of the mountainous alps onto the UNESCO heritage site Jungfrau-Aletsch area.

A traditional red and yellow cogwheel train in the Swiss Alps in winter.

Jungfraujoch – Europe’s Highest Railway Station

At the end of the Jungfraujoch trainline is Jungfraujoch, colloquially known as “The Top of Europe”. This is because it is the highest point reachable by train on the entire continent.

Situated at 3,463 meters above sea level, the views on a clear day are out of this world. You’ll have unobstructed views of massive mountain peaks of the Alps, and the Aletsch Glacier.

a view of Aletsch Glacier and the mountains from Jungfraujoch in winter.

Ski at Mount Schilthorn

For winter sports enthusiasts, you’ll want to check out the ski runs at Mount Schilthorn. This particular ski resort offers amazing views, since you are literally cradled between the peaks of the Alps.

Even if skiing isn’t your thing, there are many options here to enjoy a winters day outside. You can partake in sledging or other snow related activities from the resort here.

A view of many mountains in the Swiss Alps as viewed from Mount Schilthorn ski resort on a winter day.

Visit the James Bond Restaurant

Did you know the 1969 James Bond movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed right in this region of Switzerland? If you’ve seen this movie, you’ll get deja-vu from visiting this area.

But for real fans, you’ll want to head straight to the Piz Gloria Restaurant. This was the iconic revolving restaurant that was used in the film, while it was interestingly still under construction!

Two people sitting inside the Piz Gloria restaurant, made of large glass windows, with views onto the snowy Swiss Alps mountains just outside.

Piz Gloria is pretty cool in its own right, as it slowly rotates to offer 360 degree views at over 3,000 meters above sea level. This place takes dining with a view to new heights, literally!

Many people sitting on a snowy terrace outside the circular Piz Gloria Restaurant during winter.

Visit Wengen Alpine Village

Wengen is another charming alpine village, that is easily accessible by a short cogwheel train ride from Lauterbrunnen. Like Murren, it is car-free and without any traffic.

Here, you have some great winter hiking and walking trails from which to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. For a list of winter walking trails in Wengen click here.

Wengen village in winter, a traditional Swiss alpine village of wooden chalet huts and the Swiss Alps in the background on a misty day.

Explore Lauterbrunnen on Snoeshoes

Another great way to see Lauterbrunnen in winter, is by renting some snowshoes and going for a self-guided trek. You can organize snowshoe rentals and guided treks by contacting the Lauterbrunnen tourism office. they’ll have up to date information on which trails are open or how to join a tour.

Some seasons, there are even full day or multi-day snowshoe treks available to be booked with a guide. These tours can include overnight stays in a high altitude mountain hut.

Take Your Inner Child Tobogganing

A young girl getting on a wooden toboggan in front of a lit up wooden cabin in a snowy wooded mountainous area near Lauterbrunnen in winter.

Tobogganing is a very popular winter activity in Switzerland. I was surprised when I first moved here and saw that it was just as much an adult activity here as for kids!

You can rent a toboggan and go for a fun and scenic ride down the mountain into Lauterbrunnen Valley itself. A great toboggan run to choose starts from Sulwald, reachable by cablecar. This run goes all the way down to the village during good weather conditions.

Rentals are available at the cablecar station directly.

Indulge in Local Cheese and Fondue

Sometimes what you really need is a perfect excuse to leave the cold and spend time cozying up indoors. Luckily, fondue is a staple in Swiss culture and the perfect treat to warm up to in winter. Hotel Oberland located in the heart of Lauterbrunnen is known for making the best, most decadent fondue around.

Where to Stay

A high altitude Swiss ski resort near Lauterbrunnen in winter, with lots of snowand people snowboarding.

Here are the best hotels and hostels in Lauterbrunnen, that stay open through the winter.

Hotel Silberhorn: This hotel offers the best value in location, style, and comfort. The interiors feature exposed wooden beams for a rustic feel, with large windows, great views, and modern touches. Not to mention a fabulous breakfast buffest of regional goodies included!

Hotel Steinbock: This hotel is great for those who’d like to experience staying in a wooden chalet style house. The offerings are much more basic, but you do get a balcony with amazing views of the mountains.

Wasserfallhüsli: This charming home offers the best in mountain cabin comfort. It’s the best option for groups or families, or couples looking for the ultimate in coziness and ambience. It’s more of an apartment than a hotel, with 2 bedrooms, a living room, balcony and kitchen – perfect for longer stays.

Day Trips from Lauterbrunnen

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is close to Lauterbrunnen, and easily one of the best places to visit in the region. You have plenty of options for winter sports activities and leisure here.

Although the village is small, it sees many visitors in winter, making it a very lively place to be. Opt to stay at Hotel Spinne, as it offers a heated pool with sweeping views of the snowy mountains.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a resort town, known as an adventure sports haven in the warmer months. In winter, you can choose between both adventure and leisure, from the many activities on offer. From snow sports, to top-rated wellness spas, Interlaken has something for everyone to enjoy.

Thun

A woman stading in front of Oberhofen Castle, a medieval style castle right on a lake in winter.

Thun is a lovely city on the banks of Thun Lake. You can wander the picturesque old town, which is wonderfully decorated around Christmas. Be sure to also pay a visit to Thun Castle, and the nearby Oberhofen Castle.

Bern

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, and the largest city in the Bern Canton. This is the political center of the country, and home to plenty of museums and tourist attractions. The most noteworthy area to explore is the medieval old town that was built along the winding Aare River.

And that wraps up this guide to visiting Lauterbrunnen in winter! It you make it here, let me know in the comments what you think, I’d love to hear from you.