Phantom1

I would appreciate suggestions on village and specific accomodations to use as our family's base for 3 nights in Berner Oberland in late December. Kids are 12 and 13. Authentic Swiss village experience and decent food options a must; a hot tub after a long day of exploring a plus. Thanks for all opinions/suggestions.

neckervd

What are you looking for:
Ski arena?
toboggan pists?
nordic skiing pists?
prepared winter hiking trails?
snow bike trails?
small place with only 1 skilift or so?
village with no winter sport possibilities at all?
small transport hub?
village with direct trains to Kleine Scheidegg (- Jungfraujoch)?
village on a sunny slope (like the Hasliberg villages)?
village in the shade (like Lauterbrunnen)?

PalenQ

Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Murren all fit the bill of an Alpine village and experience - all smack with awesome views of the glacier-girdled high Alps that abruptly rise thousands of feet from lush green (in winter white snow-covered) valleys. You can't go wrong but Grindelwald and Laugterbrunnen, which offer very very different types of views - are easier to reach than the other two higher up villages, which are more isolated.

Phantom1

Our interests are:
--village with charm, decent food, shops and a little night time "energy"
--convenient train to Jungfraujoch
--sunny panoramic views with prepared winter hiking trails
--easy toboggan for kids
--convenient to train to other scenic spots

And best web site for booking room(s) for 4 in the village?

Thanks!

PalenQ

--village with charm, decent food, shops and a little night time "energy"
--convenient train to Jungfraujoch
--sunny panoramic views with prepared winter hiking trails
--easy toboggan for kids
--convenient to train to other scenic spots>

IMO Grindelwald fits the bill best - especially with an apres-ski or hiking scene - Murren and Wengen can be somnolent - Lauterbrunnen has a more active night scene but not the sunny view you want as it is in a deep valley - Grindelwald sits in a huge natural amphitheatre with stirring views all around and has direct trains to Kleine Scheidegg where you have to switch to Jungfraujoch trains.

For lots of good info on Jungfrau Region and Swiss trains check out www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. If traveling elsewhere look at the Swiss Pass, Half-Fare Card and Swiss Card - if just going from one airport or border station to one place and staying put look at the Swiss Transfer ticket.

For trains in the Jungfrau look at the Jungfraubahn Pass or the Berner-Obverland Bahn Pass - but if traveling outside this area to other parts of Switzerland look at the Swiss Pass, Card, half-Fare Card - one of these is usually a great deal.

Dukey1

Look, EVERY village in Switzerland is "authentic." Some people absolutely hate Grindelwald and favor places such as Murren or Wengen but wherever you go don't hold your breath waiting for some Heidi-like cartoon character to come marching by. More likely a bunch of tourists from Japan or China.

neckervd

"--village with charm, decent food, shops and a little night time "energy"
--sunny panoramic views with prepared winter hiking trails
--easy toboggan for kids
--convenient to train to other scenic spots"

There would be tons of villages which fulfil these conditions, but there is only one of them situated along the railway line to Jungfraujoch.

The second best would be Wengen but the Grindelwald sledging pists are much better than those of Wengen.

PalenQ

wengen is also much more quiet or at least has a lot less 'night time energy' and that is why so many folks love it - and others like me do not - great in the day but for me boring at night - each to their own!

aliced

Agree, as usual, with PalenQ that Wengen a bit too quiet at night but don't think you could not have a fabulous time at any of these. Help on this website for our trip last month was beyond the reach of any and all guidebooks. Our 3 days in the Berner Oberland were the highlight of the trip, esp. the Ridge Walk from Mannleichen to Kleine Scheidigg which was our favorite day. That seems like it would be a great ski area. (And yes, the Berner Oberland far outshines Montreux/Lk. Geneva area as lovely as that was, PalenQ!)

PalenQ

esp. the Ridge Walk from Mannleichen to Kleine Scheidigg which was our favorite day.>

I agree on that and this is something anyone of any age can easily do - and I'd do it from the Mannlichen, taking in the sweeping views from there - putatively the finest in Switzerland and go to Kl Scheidegg in that direction as then you have the Jungfrau Massif staring you in the face the whole way.

Easy to combine with a Jungfraujoch trip as those trains leave from Kleine Scheidegg.