SKIING IN BERNER OBERLAND SWITZERLAND

I am not sure Rick is the go-to guy when it comes to skiing. There are plenty of easy and intermediate runs on the Mürren side of the valley, as long as you do not go to the top of the Schilthorn. Here is a map of the ski runs: http://www.schilthorn.ch/en/skiing/ Click on the link on this page. And note that in europe, blue is for easy runs; red is intermediate, and black is the same as here, expert. I think you'll be fine staying in either Mürren or Gimmelwald and skiing there.

Realize that Mr. Steves primarily writes for summer travelers. His description of any given location is based on the scenery, activities and infrastructure that are present in the summer months. In the winter, everything changes, particularly in the Alps. I have never visited Gimmelwald in winter, but given that the village does not cater to skiers, this would probably not be the best location for skiing. I suggest you listen to your head and stay near where you want to ski. I myself will be in the area for the Christmas holiday. Although I would prefer to stay in Mürren, there will be two non-skiers in my party. So, because I want to give the non-skiers the chance to explore the area (rather than developing cabin fever in beautiful but rather inaccessible Mürren for 6 days), and I want easy access to the lifts, I chose to stay in Grindelwald. It's "in" the Alps, but because cars are allowed, the non-skiers will have easier opportunities for daytrips.

From Gimmelwald, one would access the skiing areas by riding the Schilthorn cable car up to Mürren. But is certainly does make sense to stay in Mürren, not Gimmelwald, for skiing.

Mid-December is tricky for skiing. There might, or might not, be decent snow on lower slopes. This being said, Murren is a much better location.

Thank you all for your input. You have made my decision much easier for me and my wife. I think Murren will be our home base and hope mid Dec is a good time for skiing this year. We also thought about just sight seeing 2 days in Berner Oberland and possibly going to Zermatt/Cervinia for the other 2/3 days to ski? Anyone have any thoughts or have done this? thanks again

As a skier that loves skiing in Europe, I would suggest you stay in one spot for the whole ski part of the vacation. Both Berner Oberland and Zermatt are absolutely out-of-this-world places to ski. So why kill a whole day travelling between Paradise1 and Paradise2? I've skied em both and love em both. Keep one in reserve for your next trip. Get a multi day Berner Oberland ski pass and you've covered more terrain than you can ski in a week or 2. This also serves as a transport pass so you can go to Interlaken for a day off. If you want to go to the Jungfraujoch, you'll only need to pay for the portion above Kleine Scheidegg. Chris from Jersey is very partial to Muerren, and for good reason. I have stayed in Wengen. Either is a good location, but I have to admit that Muerren is way cuter than Wengen, which is a little more central to the area. You're always taking a chance on early snow, but you should have plenty of options at higher ground. Never, ever try to stay in the dead valley to save a few bucks. The upper villages are where the action is, not to mention the sunshine. If you are there in mid December, you should be able to get a good lodging deal as this is before Christmas when prices will sky rocket and the hotels will rake in the cash. Before then, anything they can get is better than nothing.

Oh yeah, advice on where to ski. Not knowing your preferences and snow conditions, its hard to tell you where to ski. But I will tell where not to ski. DO NOT SKI the blue run from Kleine Scheidegg down to Grindelwald beneath the Eiger. This run is almost permanently in shadow, and will turn to ice. So even though the slope is gentle, and it is groomed daily, and it has snowmaking, the lower stretch is an angled ice rink. If there was a divorce attorney office at the bottom, my wife would have went right in.

Thanks for the tip, Sam.

Marco, Although my skiing days are long over, in the same situation I'd prefer to stay in Lauterbrunnen, as that's a perfect "home base" for getting to both sides of the valley. Transporting skis via public transport is easily done in the area. It's an easy trip via the Cable Car and the small BLM railway to Mürren and that side of the valley, and also via the Wengernalp cog wheel rail to Kleine Scheidegg and that side of the valley. By staying in Lauterbrunnen, you'd have easy access to both sides of the valley. There are a huge number of lifts and ski facilities all over the area, so you shouldn't have trouble finding places to ski. Happy skiing!