Best Ski Resorts Near Bern (A Skier’s Paradise)

The ski resorts near Bern offer a range of options, many of which are very close.

The season begins in late November to early December, so now is the time to plan your winter ski holiday at one of dozens of ski resorts near Switzerland’s capital.

Our list of the best ski resorts near Bern includes mega-resorts, mid-size resorts, and smaller, cozier resorts with more of a hometown feel.

Ski Resort Travel Time

Travel time from Bern to the nearest ski resorts by train often takes a little longer than by car. However, there are regular traffic jams on weekends, so keep that in mind.

By Train

By Car

Adelboden-Lenk

• 143 km of slopes
• 42 ski lifts

The Adelboden-Lenk winter resort is a massive ski region situated high in the Bernese Oberland at elevations ranging from 1,260 to 2,200 meters. A favorite among winter sports fans, it has a long season from November through May. The extensive ski area links the towns of Lenk in the Simmen Valley and Adelboden in the Engstligen Valley and provides access to the region.

Altogether, the five ski regions offer choices of varying tastes and difficulties. Beginners should take the lifts up from Lenk since the surrounding slopes feature plenty of good blue-marked runs.

Free stylers can head to Hahnenmoos, where they will find the Gran Masta Park, with rails and jumps for all levels of skiing and snowboarding. Intermediate and advanced skiers will be happy with the groomers down from the Oberland Pass of Sillerenbühl. In contrast, advanced skiers will want to take the Boden-Chuenisbärgli lift up to the famous World Cup area.

Glacier 3000 – Les Diablerets

The Bernese Oberland’s only glacier ski resort, Glacier 3000-Les Diablerets is located in Gstaad at elevations ranging from 1,343 and 3,016 meters. Excellent ski conditions are found here from October until May. The resort is part of the Alpes Vaudoises and the Gstaad Mountain Rides sports region.

Highlights of the Les Diablerets- Glacier 3000 winter sports area include freeride options, a snow park, a Nordic track, snowshoeing, ice-fall climbing, snow biking, snowboarding, and a toboggan run that is over 7 meters in length. The views from this region situated at an elevation of 3000 meters are especially spectacular. You can also rest up and enjoy the panoramic view from a popular glacier restaurant designed by a renowned Swiss architect.

• 84 km of slopes
• 25 ski lifts

Gstaad

• 200 km of slopes
• 40 ski lifts

The Gstaad Ski Region is another vast ski area with multiple slopes and resorts, much like the Jungfrau Region. It includes numerous villages and Glacier 3000, featuring the highest terrain in the Bernese Alps. The six ski areas are linked by piste trail, ski lift, bus, or train.

The Gstaad resorts offer a range of pistes and long valley trails suitable for all levels. Skiiers have loads of fun skiing among trees and around farm buildings. Practice your freestyle tricks in one of several snow parks or stay with the many easy slopes where children can learn to ski and snowboard.

The Gstaad Ski Region offers lots of fun. On selected evenings, the slopes are lit up with flood lights for night skiing, and moonlit toboggan rides are offered.

Jungfrau Region (Grindelwald First, Grindelwald-Wengen, Murren Schilthorn)

• 205 km of slopes
• 49 ski lifts

The Jungfrau Ski Region is vast and incorporates three ski resorts that offer a host of winter adventures, from off-piste skiing to snowparks with snowboarding and toboggan runs. You can enter all three regions with one pass and board any trains, buses, and ski lifts to the train station in Interlaken.

With elevations between 1,050 and 2,500, Grindelwald-First ski resort is situated northeast of Grindelwald with slopes that merge with the Bernese Alps. Skiers love the long runs that face the sun and views of the Eiger north face. It also has a thrilling snowpark that caters to families. In all, Grindelwald-First has 49 slopes and 10 lifts.

Grindelwald-Wengen is popular for expert skiers who love the challenging twists and turns. Situated at elevations between 944 and 2400, the famous World Cup Lauberhorn is held here. The resort has 102 km of slopes and 23 lifts.

Schilthorn–Mürren/Lauterbrunnen, the third ski resort in the Jungfrau Region, is the highest in the Bernese Alps, with an elevation as high as 2,970 meters. It has 54 km of slopes and 16 lifts.

Meiringen-Hasliberg

• 60 km of slopes
• 13 ski lifts

The Meiringen-Hasliberg is an excellent choice for a quieter, secluded ski holiday. Although it’s only known within Switzerland and Germany, the ski area is expansive but still a good break from the enormous Jungfrau Ski Region. It’s located in the canton of Bern, east of Lake Brienz and the Jungfrau, and is easy to reach by train from Lucerne and Interlaken.

You can get to Meiringen Hasliberg by train via the station at Meiringen, located just 700 meters from the cable car station or the Brünig Hasliberg station and the route 158 PostBus to one of the villages higher up on the mountain. Trains run from the Zurich airport for about a 2-hour ride or 10 minutes from Meiringen.

If you travel to the resort by rental car, you’ll find spacious car parks in the three main base areas. The roads are generally good, but watch out for the ascent down the Brünig Pass from Lucerne in heavy snow and ice conditions.

Oeschinensee – Kandersteg

• 13 km of slopes
• 6 ski lifts

Situated at elevations between 1,200 and 1,730 meters, this small resort in the Kandertal is one of Switzerland’s most unique and easy-to-manage winter sports areas. It’s ideal for families with children and beginners. Skiers and snowboarders will have fun with a 480-meter vertical drop.

You can get to the Oeschinensee–Kandersteg in at least 8 minutes via the gondola cableway to Lake Oeschinen and be right on the slopes. The Kinderpark Oeschinen has designated ski lifts for children. Expert skiers can cross flat sections via the tow rope and hit the slopes directly to the Gondola 8 cableway’s valley station.

Map of Ski Resorts Near Bern