Things to Do in Interlaken in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Interlaken
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Late-season skiing conditions with spring sunshine - you get 10°C (50°F) afternoons at valley level while upper slopes stay perfectly skiable at -5°C to 0°C (23-32°F). Lift lines are 40-50% shorter than February half-term crowds.
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after mid-March - accommodation drops 25-35% compared to February peak, and you can actually book last-minute without paying premium rates. Three-star hotels that cost CHF 200+ in February drop to CHF 130-150.
- Increasingly reliable sunny spells as the month progresses - March averages 140 hours of sunshine versus February's 110 hours. Those blue-sky mountain days become more frequent, perfect for Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn excursions without January's bitter cold.
- Spring awakening in the valleys while mountains stay winter-white - lower altitude hikes around Harder Kulm (1,322m/4,337ft) start opening up, wildflowers begin emerging in sunny spots, and you get this unique overlap of seasons that's honestly pretty magical.
Considerations
- Wildly unpredictable weather swings - March is genuinely the most temperamental month here. You might get 15°C (59°F) and sunshine one day, then wake up to fresh snow and 2°C (36°F) the next. Makes planning specific activities tricky, especially if you're only here for 3-4 days.
- Wet, heavy snow conditions by late March - as temperatures climb, snow quality deteriorates into that slushy, heavy spring snow. Skiing becomes more challenging and less enjoyable after 2pm when everything softens up. Some lower runs close entirely by month's end.
- Mud season transition affects hiking - trails between 800-1,500m (2,625-4,921ft) become muddy messes as snowmelt combines with March's 10 rainy days. You're stuck between too snowy for proper hiking and too slushy for comfortable walking in many mid-altitude areas.
Best Activities in March
Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Railway Experience
March is actually ideal for this because you avoid the brutal -20°C to -30°C (-4 to -22°F) temperatures of January-February, but snow coverage remains complete and dramatic. The railway runs year-round, but March gives you that sweet spot of 8-10 UV index sunshine lighting up the Aletsch Glacier without the windchill that makes January visits genuinely miserable. Crowds thin out significantly after Swiss school holidays end mid-month. The Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory viewing platform become far more enjoyable when you're not shivering uncontrollably. Book the first or second train up (typically departing Interlaken Ost around 6:30-7:30am) to beat day-tripper crowds from Lucerne and Zurich.
Spring Skiing at Grindelwald-First or Mürren-Schilthorn
March skiing here is completely different from peak winter - you get warm sunshine, shorter lift lines, and that relaxed spring ski vibe where everyone's in lighter jackets. Snow base remains 150-250cm (59-98 inches) at higher elevations through March, though quality varies dramatically by time of day. Best skiing is 8am-1pm before afternoon sun turns everything to mush. North-facing runs hold better conditions. The Schilthorn area tends to maintain better snow quality longer due to higher elevation (2,970m/9,744ft summit). If you're an intermediate skier who hates icy, rock-hard February conditions, March's softer snow is actually more forgiving.
Harder Kulm Funicular and Lower Valley Hikes
This becomes increasingly appealing as March progresses and valley temperatures climb to 10-15°C (50-59°F) on sunny days. The funicular to Harder Kulm (1,322m/4,337ft) operates year-round, and by late March you get spectacular views without January's fog banks that often obscure everything. The panorama platform offers that iconic Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau view with Interlaken's two lakes below. Lower trails around Harder Kulm start drying out, though you'll still encounter snow patches. This is perfect for non-skiers or anyone wanting a half-day mountain experience without committing to high-altitude excursions. The restaurant up top does excellent rösti if you time it for lunch.
Interlaken Town and Lakefront Exploration
March weather makes this surprisingly pleasant - those 10°C (50°F) afternoons with sunshine feel genuinely warm after months of winter. The 2.5km (1.6 mile) walk from Interlaken West to Ost station through Höhematte park offers unobstructed mountain views, and the lakefront promenades along Thunersee and Brienzersee become actually enjoyable without February's biting wind. This is when locals start appearing at outdoor café terraces again. The Japanese Garden near the Kursaal opens for the season, and early spring flowers begin showing. Perfect for jet-lagged first days or weather backup when mountain visibility is poor. Höheweg shopping street has that mix of Swiss watch shops, outdoor gear stores, and tourist-trap fondue restaurants - you'll figure out which is which pretty quickly.
Scenic Train Journeys to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald Valleys
March is honestly one of the best months for these valley train rides because snow coverage remains dramatic on the surrounding peaks while visibility improves significantly over January-February fog. The train to Lauterbrunnen (20 minutes from Interlaken Ost) runs through that narrow valley with 72 waterfalls - many are absolutely thundering in March from snowmelt, way more impressive than summer's reduced flow. Grindelwald line offers close-up Eiger North Face views. These aren't tourist trains with inflated pricing - they're regular regional trains locals use, covered by Swiss Travel Pass or regional passes. Use them as transportation to access different hiking/skiing areas or just ride for the scenery.
Paragliding Tandem Flights from Beatenberg or Interlaken
March brings increasingly stable afternoon thermals as spring approaches, and you get that combination of snow-covered peaks with emerging green valleys that looks spectacular from the air. Flight conditions improve dramatically over winter months - less turbulence, better visibility, and operators run more consistently. That said, March weather unpredictability means about 30-40% of bookings get rescheduled due to conditions. Tandem flights launch from Beatenberg (1,200m/3,937ft) and land in Interlaken's Höhematte park. The 15-20 minute flight offers that perspective on the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau massif you simply can't get from ground level. Worth noting this is genuinely weather-dependent - operators decide morning-of whether conditions allow flying.
March Events & Festivals
Ski Season Closing Parties
Late March typically sees end-of-season celebrations at various ski areas - think outdoor concerts, BBQs on sunny terraces, and that festive spring skiing atmosphere where everyone's in t-shirts and sunglasses. Mürren and Grindelwald areas usually host closing weekend events with live music and discounted lift tickets. These aren't formal organized festivals but rather spontaneous celebrations that locals know about. Check specific ski area websites for 2026 dates as they depend on snow conditions.