Things to Do in Interlaken in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
January Weather in Interlaken
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
37°F (3°C)
High Temp
26°F (-2°C)
Low Temp
2.8 inches (71 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Expect mood swings from the peaks. Temperature falls 1°C for every 150 m (490 ft) you climb. A sunny breakfast panorama can collapse into whiteout by tea. Pack layers. Carry goggles. Always.
Is January Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + January is Interlaken's quietest month. You'll have the Jungfraujoch platform to yourself during sunrise. Only a handful of other visitors appear instead of the usual 5,000 daily crowd. Silence amplifies the glacier's hush. Worth it.
- + Hotel rates drop 40-60% from peak season. That chalet-style room overlooking the Aare River suddenly becomes affordable. Ski season hasn't fully kicked in yet. Lock in the deal.
- + The winter light here is extraordinary. The low sun creates alpenglow on the Eiger North Face between 3:30-4:30 PM. Photographers wait all year to capture that flare. Snap fast.
- + You can hear yourself think while walking the Höhematte park. No summer crowds. Just the sound of your boots crunching through frost-covered grass and church bells from across the valley. Breathe deep.
Considerations
- − Half the mountain railways close for maintenance from January 6-31. The Schilthorn cable car and several gondolas to Mürren won't run. Major viewpoints get cut off. Plan around it.
- − Daylight is brutally short. You'll get about 8.5 hours of usable light. Any serious hiking needs to start by 9 AM to avoid descending in darkness. Headlamp packed?
- − Many restaurants in the mountain villages shut down entirely. You'll find yourself limited to Interlaken's main strips for dining options. Book early tables.
Best Activities in January
Top things to do during your visit
January in Interlaken means sharp contrasts. The air is crisp, often just above freezing. Meanwhile, the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau stand cloaked in deep snow. Locals trade hiking boots for winter ones. Woodsmoke scent mixes with the cold breeze. Conditions change fast. A brilliant blue morning can give way to steady snowfall by afternoon. The town becomes a scene from a snow globe. Specific events define the season. In mid-January, the quiet Lauterbrunnen Valley fills with the crunch of snowshoes during the International Jungfrau-Marathon Snow Edition. Runners pass through villages dusted in white. Later, continuing into February, central Höhematte Park glows with Interlaken Ice Magic. You will hear the scrape of skate blades and smell roasting heisse marroni. It is a communal focal point against the long nights.
Snowshoe Adventure in the Swiss Alps
otherOffers profound silence. Your own steps crunch on untouched snowfields. Follow trails through frosted evergreen forests. Sunlight filters through icy branches. You will emerge to vistas of the white-wrapped Bernese Alps.
This experience provides a direct connection to the winter landscape. It grants access to the sound-dampening quiet of the high alpine winter. That world is far from the groomed ski slopes.
Insider tip: Wear moisture-wicking layers beneath your outer shell. The steady exertion generates warmth even in the cold air.
This month: The snowpack in the mountains around Interlaken is typically deep and reliable in January. That makes it ideal.
Interlaken Valley Winter E-Bike Tour: Rivers, Lakes & Castles
adventureLets you glide on cleared paths. You will ride beside the turquoise Aare River. Pass snow-dusted medieval castles standing over frozen fields. The electric assist means you can focus on the views. See Lake Brienz's steely gray surface and the mountains behind it.
It combines efficient sightseeing with invigorating cold air on your face. You will cover more ground than on foot.
Insider tip: Bring lightweight gloves for operating the bike controls. They keep your fingers from going numb.
Best of Bernese Oberland Tour from Interlaken
guided_experienceIs a complete journey by train and cable car. It goes into the region's most well-known winter scenery. Hear the rumble of cogwheel trains ascending through ice tunnels. Feel the altitude change on observation terraces facing the north face of the Eiger.
This tour organizes multiple complex alpine transport connections. It delivers the signature panoramic views.
Insider tip: Secure a window seat on the train's right side when departing Interlaken. You will get the most dramatic valley views.
Grindelwald -Kleine Scheidegg-Lauterbrunnen Small Group Day Trip
day_tripWeaves together three alpine villages. Railways connect them with shifting perspectives on the winter peaks. See the large ski fields of Grindelwald. Hear cowbells from barns in Lauterbrunnen. Taste rich hot chocolate at the foot of the Jungfrau.
It contrasts Grindelwald's sporty atmosphere with the quiet drama of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Insider tip: In Lauterbrunnen, walk a short way down the valley road. Feel the spray from the iced-over Staubbach Falls. See the frozen cascade up close.
Scenic E Bike Tour Interlaken
adventureExplores the flat plains between the two lakes. See skeletal winter trees reflected in calm waters. Hear the calls of seasonally remaining waterfowl. The electric motor provides a push against any biting wind off Lake Thun. You can reach viewpoints like the St. Beatus Caves area without strain.
It focuses on the gentle beauty of the lake shores around Interlaken. That beauty is often overlooked.
Insider tip: Plan to pause at the waterfront in Bönigen. You will get a clear view south to the Iseltwald peninsula. It is a scene of serene winter minimalism.
Discover Interlaken's most Photogenic Spots with a Local
otherLeads you to angles a visitor might miss. See how morning light hits the frescoes of the Swiss Reformed Church. Find the perfect alignment of the Höheweg promenade with the snowy peak of the Jungfrau. Your guide points out weathered wood on historic farmhouses. They will show the symmetry of the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel's winter gardens.
A local reveals the good spots that make Interlaken uniquely photogenic. These go beyond the obvious postcard vistas.
Insider tip: The low January sun creates long shadows in the late afternoon. That light is good for capturing architectural details on central streets.
Where to Stay in Interlaken in January
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for January travellers.
January Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid January
International Jungfrau-Marathon Snow Edition
Elite runners tackle a 15 km (9.3 mile) snowshoe course from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren in mid-January. The event draws 500 participants who race through fairy-tale alpine villages while spectators warm up with raclette at mountain huts along the route.
Early January through February
Interlaken Ice Magic
The temporary ice rink in Höhematte Park features ice sculptures carved by international artists. Local schoolchildren perform traditional dances on skates during weekend evenings, and food stalls serve heisse marroni (roasted chestnuts) that steam in the cold air.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Interlaken Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The Coop supermarket at Interlaken West station opens at 6 AM. Locals buy fresh croissants here for 1/3 the price of hotel breakfasts. The upstairs seating area has better mountain views than most cafés. Skip the markup.
January 2-6 is the secret sweet spot. Christmas crowds have left but New Year's decorations stay up. You get festive atmosphere without the peak pricing. Book now.
Free sledding happens behind the Interlaken ice rink. The town maintains a small hill with loaner sleds that tourists never find because it's not in the brochures. Ask locals.
Book restaurants for 6 PM, not 8 PM. Swiss families eat early in winter. Many kitchens close by 9 PM when tourist numbers drop. Eat early.
The best Jungfraujoch photos happen between 10-11 AM when the sun angle creates depth on the glacier crevasses. Afternoon light flattens everything. Shoot mid-morning.
Carry CHF 2 coins for public toilets - even McDonald's charges for bathrooms, and the machines don't give change
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming all mountain transport runs - January maintenance closures strand tourists who don't check the SBB app before heading to stations like Mürren or Schilthorn
Booking hotels with 'mountain views' without specifying elevation - a ground-floor room facing 30 m (98 ft) trees isn't what you pictured
Trying to cram both Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn in one day - winter daylight makes this impossible, and you'll end up seeing both rushed and poorly
Wearing ski gear for town walking - Interlaken itself rarely gets snow, so you'll overheat in heavy jackets while locals wear light down vests
Explore More Activities in Interlaken
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Interlaken.
See All Interlaken Tours on Viator