Night Sledging Adventure from Interlaken

Wilderswil, the adventure base next to Interlaken

Wilderswil is a village just south of Interlaken, at the point where the valleys of the Lütschine rivers open towards Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. It is the starting point of the old cog railway to Schynige Platte and the home base of several adventure companies, including the team that runs this night sledging trip.

At the base you check in, try on hiking boots, receive your sledge and, if you need them, rent waterproof trousers, jackets, gloves and hats. How to get to Wilderswil from Interlaken: a local train from Interlaken Ost takes about 5 minutes, and from the centre it is also a short bus ride or taxi. From here the group travels together to the gondola.

The gondola ride into the winter mountains

Night sledging in Interlaken begins with a gondola ride up into the snow while the last light fades from the peaks. The cabins rise above the valley lights, and you can watch the villages below shrink into small glowing clusters while the white slopes take over.

At the top the air is crisp and still, and on clear nights the sky fills with stars far brighter than in any city. The exact mountain and sled run depend on the snow conditions of the season, as the team always chooses the run with the best and safest snow, all within easy reach of Interlaken. Take a moment at the top to let your eyes adjust to the dark before the briefing.

The night sled run

After a full safety briefing on how to sit, steer with your feet and brake, the guide leads the way down. The track is unlit, but the snow reflects even faint moonlight and starlight so well that you can see the path clearly once your eyes adjust. It winds through dark fir forest, crosses open alpine meadows and passes frozen water and snow-covered barns.

You set your own speed behind the guide, from a gentle glide to a fast run on straight sections, and the group stops often to regroup, catch your breath and enjoy the silence. Is night sledging in Interlaken worth it? For many guests it is the most magical winter experience of their trip.

Interlaken and the Jungfrau region in winter

In winter, Interlaken becomes the gateway to snowy villages and ski areas around Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, while the town itself stays green on the valley floor between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Evening activities like night sledging make the most of the short winter days, after a day on the mountains or lakes.

The best time to go night sledging is from about late December to March, when snow cover is reliable; exact dates depend on each season's snowfall. Interlaken has several halal-friendly restaurants in the centre, so it is easy to plan dinner before or after the trip. Mountain village restaurants have far fewer halal choices, which is another reason to eat in town.

The Bernese Oberland under the night sky

The Bernese Oberland is the high mountain region of the canton of Bern, crowned by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. At night the snow-covered summits stay faintly visible against the sky, and on moonlit evenings their outlines glow above the forests. Much of this landscape belongs to the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected for its glaciers and peaks.

Away from street lights, the mountains are quiet: the only sounds are the scrape of sledge runners and the laughter of the group. Dress warmly, as temperatures at night are often well below freezing, and keep a hat and gloves on for the whole descent. Bring a small torch or phone light for the walk to the gondola, but keep it switched off on the run itself.