Gimmelwald, Switzerland in May

Rachel, While the Gimmelwald Pensione doesn't open until June 1st, there are a few other options you might consider. You could perhaps stay at Ester's Guesthouse which is right across from the Cable Car terminal or the Mountain Hostel. You'd need to check with either place to ensure they're open during the time you will be in that area. You might also consider staying in Mürren, which is the next village uphill from Gimmelwald. It's a bit larger, so has a greater sellection of Hotels and other facilities. The snow and ice should be mostly gone in May, but of course there are never any guarantees with the weather from year-to-year. Will you be travelling at the beginning of May or the end? Happy travels!

"Does the snow/ice prevent you from hiking without special gear?" No. Almost all of the snow at Gimmelwald's elevation is usually gone by that point. But the ground is very muddy, and it's one of the foggiest, rainiest times of the year. Finally, the villagers use this lull in tourist traffic to take care of some important but unpleasant business- fertilizing the pastures. They use a power hose to spray liquified manure. If you go late in the month, you may get better conditions than earlier. Or, just pick another Alpine area that doesn't completely hibernate as the Berner Oberland does.

Thank you for the information. We were thinking about going May 18th through 21st. We'll be coming from Paris and then heading to Rome after visiting the Alps. It sounds like there's still some options even though the weather will be unpredictable. Our schedule is not really flexible and we really want to take a break from the museums and city attractions in Paris and Rome. Esther's Guesthouse looks nice if it's not booked. I'm sure we'll have to find food in Murren because Rick Steves mentions that Pension Gimmelwald is the town's only restaurant.

It is well worth going to the Lauterbrunnen Valley at any time. You might also look at staying at Stechelberg Hotel just below the village of Gimmelwald in the valley. Wonderful accomodations and a great restaurant. There are also private homes with vacation apartments in Stechelberg that I would highly recommend - especially that of Nelly & Christian Beer.
Yes all the cable cars are working then and in fact Stechelberg is where you take the cable car directly up to Gimmelwald, Muerren and Schilthorn. If you get a chance don't miss the "James Bond Breakfast" in Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn.

Spring maintenance on the Schilthornbahn is at the end of April, with the cablecar re-opening on 29 april, so you will be OK there. However, the Allmendhubel funicular will be closed 16 April to 1 June for maintenance. From webcams and photos I have seen, some years the meadows are nice and green by mid-may. Other years, there is still a lot of snow around, and some mud, but the main trails aroudn Gimmelwald are still clear enough for walking. The weather can be anything from cold and cloudy to nice and sunny. You'll need to be prepared for anything. But the good part is it will be nice and quiet. If you are thinking of going to the other side of the valley, the mannlichen cablecar generally doesn't open until the end of May, but the train up to Kleine Scheidegg and on to the Jungfraujoch will be running.

Rachel, Regarding the dining options in Gimmelwald, Esther's will provide a good breakfast and you'll likely get lunch somewhere else in the area (depending on where you're hiking). There's a Co-Op store in Mürren, so you could buy "picnic" items there. That only leaves supper and Mürren would probably be the easiest location for that. The ride up on the Cable Car only takes a few minutes.