Berner Oberland

kelly,

You may find activities somewhat limited in late December if you're not a skier. However, you could certainly take the Cable Car to the Schilthorn and then down to Gimmelwald and Stechelberg (walking the trail from Mürren to Gimmelwald may not be practical at that time of year).

Regarding your second day sightseeing, there's not much at Grütschalp except for the Cable Car / Rail station. There's really nothing there for "sightseeing" AFAIK (especially in winter). I'm not sure there will be a lot to do in Wengen, but I'll defer to the others on that question. You could also consider travel up to the Jungfraujoch, but be sure your budget will allow as that's an expensive trip.

Yes, it will be ski season, although that is not necessarily a bad thing. One advantage is that you can buy a multiday day ski pass (even if you don't ski) that covers unlimited rides on all the lifts with the exception of the Jungfraujoch above Kleine Scheidegg, where you get a 50% discount. It covers all the trains between Interlaken Ost to all the other areas.
Slightly less is the sledging-hiking pass. This does not include rides to Piz Gloria, but does give the 50% discount.
Being that it will be immediately before the Christmas holiday season, there should be plenty going on with a fair number of skiers/boarders in the area.
Here is pricing info.
http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/winter/tourism/travel-information/sportpass/jungfrau-20152016/individual-ski-pass/

If your suitcases are a reasonable size that each person can manage by themself, it really isn't much harder to get to Murren. Up the gondola, onto a train, and then to your hotel.

Many thanks for the quick replies.

Unfortunately my family are not skiers and they are not particularly keen on hiking either and more of a sightseeing interested group. We mainly want to experience the Schilthorn on the 2nd day, have a nice lunch (Piz Gloria worth it?) and then visit some towns for their charms etc.

How is Lake Thun and Brienz in the winter? Is it worth it on the 1st day after my check-in to visit? I won't be able to access the Trummelbach Falls and Ballenburg Open Air Museum in the winter already so wondering their there's other spots worth visiting (even Interlaken although I gather from reading that it's touristy).

Brienz is on Lake Brienz (Brienzersee). Thun is on Lake Thun (Thunersee).

We have been there in the winter and enjoyed it very much. Head to the Schilthorn as early as possible. That will probably give you the best weather. I would take the lift from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp, the train to Murren, then walk thru town to the Schilthorn lift. When you come back, take the lift down to Gimmelwald and then to the valley at Stechelberg and a bus back to Lauterbrunnen. I would suggest lunch in Murren Piz Gloria is ridiculously expensive in a country that is already ridiculously expensive. Eat in Murren on your way back.

So, yes, your first afternoon you can fit in Wengen via the little train up from Lauterbrunnen.

Personally I like staying in Lauterbrunnen, especially for such a short visit. It is easier to reach both sides of the valley efficiently.

You may find Gimmelwald snowed in and rather dead in the winter. Mürren, though, being a ski resort, should have a lot more going on. As nice as it is, though, it really isn't a destination to "see". It's a place to sleep and eat conveniently located to the ski pistes.

I'll probably take up Laurel's suggestion on the intinerary. When you say head up as early as possible, can you define "early"? It seems like the earliest you can get to Schilthorn is 7:57 based on this schedule http://schilthorn.ch/cmsfiles/Fahrplan_2015_kl_1.pdf

From up there, I plan to take in the Skyview Platform + Bond 007 / Walk of Fame. Should I then go to Birg skyline walk (is it worth it? - I've done the Grand Canyon one so I assume it's similar).

How much time should I budget for the experience as a whole? Just wondering what time I should plan to leave for Bern if I will be wondering through Gimmelwald (if not snowed in) / Murren (perhaps lunch? although depends on how early I go up).

Also for the pricing, what's the best way to go up? Will it be the round trip ticket? I haven't figured out what pass to get for the rest of my trip as I will be travelling Geneva - Luzern - Interlaken - Bern - Lausanne - Geneva. From what I've read, it'll either be the half fare card (flexipass?). http://schilthorn.ch/en/Angebot/Timetable__Tariffs/Price_roundtriptickets

Thanks everyone - much appreciated!