CaitlinW430

I will be visiting Switzerland with my husband in mid march. We are trying to decide whether to use Wengen or Lauterbrunnen as a 3/4 night base. We are trying to get a feel or which may be the better choice for March. Will Wengen typically have more snow than Lauterbrunnen at this time, or would there even be much of a difference in the conditions? I truly appreciate any feedback or recommendations in general!

pja1

Wengen is at a higher altitude than Lauterbrunnen, which sits between two walls of the valley. Wengen sits above Lauterbrunnen. I'd go with Wengen, as we spent 4 nights there in late October. Stunning scenery.

Ingo

Neither will have snow in the village, except if there has been a big dump of snow recently, as Wengen sits on a very sunny terrace - where the snow melts quickly in March. Of course Wengen has the much better views.

pja1

Never say never. My nieces went sledding and skiing in Wengen in March a few years back.

Ingo

I know, the weather is unpredictable. But I bet it snowed hard a couple of days prior to your niece's visit

kja

If I could afford the time at a hotel with a great view in Wengen, I'd almost certainly opt for it.

With a limited budget, I spent one night in Wengen at a place that really didn't live up, IMO, to its cost; I spent three nights in Lauterbrunnen much more affordably and very enjoyably. BUT I was traveling in June and doing a lot of things outside of Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, so there were other reasons for my choice.

Hope that helps!

kawh

We really preferred Lauterbrunnen. You can hop the train up to Wengen when you feel like it, but I found Wengen to be a tiny bit claustrophobic. I love that Lauterbrunnen is along a long valley; we loved taking strolls along the valley each day. Lauterbrunnen is quicker to get in and out of, if by "base" you mean a place to visit the towns along the water and such. Wengen does have stunning views.... but I also love the views looking up from the valley.

Pepper_von_snoot

Wengen.

Thin

neckervd

If one has to choose between Lauterbrunnen and Wengen (and nothing else) the choice is easy: Wengen! It's sunnier (late afternoon sun too), closer to the ski pists around Kleine Scheidegg/Lauberhorn and car free.

Mimar

It's hard to believe anybody finds Wengen more claustrophobic than Lauterbrunnen, the latter being situated between 2 steep escarpments up to 1000 feet tall.

kawh

mimar... i KNEW i'd get that response as i typed "claustrophobic". funny how some little towns can hit one that way. and i also kind of preferred the view in lauterbrunnen... but knew everyone would think me crazy.. but since you do already...!

i guess i just love that pastoral view with the mountains rising high above me. clearly in the minority!!

kja

@ kawh: You are not alone! Lauterbrunnen did not make me feel claustrophobic at all -- but neither did Wengen. I think it may depend on time of year. When I was there (June), the sun was directly over the Lauterbrunnen Valley for much of the day, and I had a glorious view through the valley.