We will be in the Bernese Oberland (specifically Wengen) for Christmas. We're hoping to ski some if the snow permits, if not we hope to site see. I've seen lots of descriptions of site and activities during the summer. Does anyone know what I can expect in the winter?

Typically a lot more drinking. Seriously. <BR> <BR>Cross country skiing, of course. Some walking trails, at least in Muerren and Grindelwald, are maintained in the winter. Ice skating. A bit of hockey. Curling. Lounging in the pool, sauna or whirlpool. <BR> <BR>I've not gone gambling in winter, but I'd expect the casino in Interlaken gets some serious play in winter, especially if the skiing or weather is less than spectacular. <BR> <BR>As you'd expect most of the things you can 'sightsee' in summer are there in winter. Luzern and Bern are still interesting day trips; Thun and Brienz I suppose as well. For the most part the biggest attraction that's missing are the steamboats and virtually all of the boat schedules on Thunersee and Brienzersee. <BR> <BR>And don't forget, the best sights, to us, in the summer, are the mountaintops, and except for Schyniger Platte they're all open in winter. Nothing compares to the view of the mountains on a bright sunny day with everything covered in snow. <BR> <BR>Skiing's the thing for the most part, though, and there's usually a pretty decent snow pack by December 15 ... most years. <BR> <BR>Ed

Thanks for the info on winter activities. As far as snowskiing do you know if the passes I've heard mentioned [Swiss Pass, Bernese Oberland Pass] include transportation that would be used for skiing or is that a separate thing?

Swiss Pass would get you a discount on major lifts and some of the intermediate ones, but not the majority of the regular chairs and so forth. For that you'd want on of several passes. <BR> <BR>Some are just for the one village (e.g. Wengen), some are cover the entire area. <BR> <BR>Details usually hard to come by on the net. I'd suggest you write to the Wengen TO ... [email protected] <BR> <BR>Ed

marsha, <BR>Hope my tardy reply can add further infor to what Ed's already given you. Although the Wengen website seems to be going through some changes now, the Grindelwald web site covers some of your questions -- essentially covers the same transportation system. There are two options for the area: the Ski Pass (available in various days and covering the whole area or simply parts of it) and the Active Pass for non-skiers. The last time I was skiing in Grindelwald (1998), my Swiss Card Half Fare card did not get me a half fare for the ski pass or the active pass. The Grindelwald site (www.grindelwald.ch) shows current prices at 244 CHF for a six-day Ski Pass for an adult, and 168 CHF for a five-day Active Pass. You can check these out yourself at two places at the Grindelwald site: either go to "Price List for Ski Pass" (very detailed breakdown by area and day, but does not include the Active Pass info) or to "Winter Activities" and then "Ski Pass Rates." There appears to be a note (in German) that says you get a 10% reduction on a half-day, 1-day or 2-day ski pass if you have a Swiss Pass, but you should verify that. <BR> <BR>Having said (written!) all that, I'll add that you ought to do just as Ed says: contact the tourist office. They'll not only have more detailed and accurate information, but they also offer hotel packages that include a six-day ski-pass -- probably your best bet. <BR> <BR>Feel free to e-mail me for further info. <BR> <BR>s

We were in Muerren last December - about one week before Christmas. Some of the ski hills were just starting to open. The locals indicated Christmas week was when the ski season really started. The good thing was low rates when we were there, but not a lot was open as far as hotels or stores, but enough. <BR> <BR>It was cloudy and snowy the two days we were there,so we couldn't fully enjoy the scenery - but it was still beautiful. Chalets with a fresh cover of powder, with Christmas lights was great. The cold was tolerable (we are from Wisconsion though) and not a problem.

Thanks for all the info. If I understand all of the comments, we are going to need to buy ski passes if we intend to ski; but, would it make sense to buy some type of train or Swiss pass for the following: travel for 4 one day from Lech, Austria to Luzern, travel the next day to Wengen. Site seeing around the Bernese Oberland for 4 days?

You are going to what may be the most beautiful part of a beautiful country. You can buy local passes once you get to Switzerland -- there's such a thing as a pass that's just for the area you're visiting. Enjoy your sightseeing (NOT "site seeing").