Swiss vs. French Alps

We've been to both (for hiking) and keep returning to Switzerland. The Berner Oberland offers more variety than Chamonix, and smaller, more charming villages as well.

Let's see how the voting goes. Prediction: voting here will be in favor of the Berner Oberland, basically for the reasons Lola has given: more variety of charming and smaller villages. A google earth (free download) fly over of the Lauterbrunnen Valley is worth a thousand words.

I'll try to describe the difference between the two. Chamonix is a large-ish town at the head of a long valley that is dominated by Mont Blanc. the valley sides are ski slopes with lifts going up to summer hiking trails. The single most scenic aspect is, to me, the Aguilles du Midi (needles) which are spectacular reflected in Lac Blanc. The town offers lots of diversions and sports activities like tennis, wimming pools, etc. and the food is French (which means it's very good.) We discovered Tartiflette there and I make it at home for a treat. In the Berner Oberland, most people head for the Lauterbrunnen Valley or one of the villages above it. The Lauterbrunnen Valley looks a lot like Yosemite, if you are familiar with that, right down to the vertical cliffs and waterfalls pouring down from them. but then you have the car-free villages perced up above the valley. Imagine Yosemite with villages up at Glacier Point and above the top of Yosemite Falls. These villages are lovely and offer a full range of accommodations, but not much night life. The hiking from either Wengen, Muerren, or Gimmelwald is great and offers much more variety that you'll find at Chamonix. And if you're not a hiker, you can still reach the high places and summits by riding a cablecar or train to the top.

I have stayed in both and enjoyed ea alot. My vote for you is Berner Oberland stay in Muerren or Lauterbrunnen Valley. It is gorgeous hopefully the weather will be good for you.

Tough choice. We spent 4 days in both locations last Sept and loved them both. Chamonix has the cute town , good food, gorgeous views of Mont Blanc, the incredible Aguille Du Midi lift and Alps views, Mer Du Glace Glacier and a walk inside the glacier, hiking on the other side of the valley with amazing Mont Blanc views, lots and lots of parasailers, great day trip options if you have a car. All great fun. As an English speaking American you will be more of a minority. Lauterbrunnen area has hiking, great views, cute villages, great food at the Stagerstubli in Murren, lots of friendly people ( mostly Americans) Great mountain top experiences. Beautiful waterfalls, parasailers, tho not as many as Chamonix area. No need for a car. All the trains, gondolas, funiculars are part of the fun. Pretty much everyone speaks English here. We had a blast at both places. Our weather was crystal clear in Chamonix and completely cloud covered in town in Murren for days. If we had had the same amazing weather in Lauterbrunnen then that would maybe win easily. If you really can only choose one place then maybe Lauterbrunnen area. I would go back to both places in a heart beat.

It's funny, when planning a Europe trip for '05 I asked this same question on the Helpline. We've since been to both places twice, and I prefer the Berner Oberland, and specifically Murren, much more than Chamonix...I don't find Chamonix to be charming, maybe in winter when there's snow, but not in the summer. The best thing about Chamonix to me is Aiguille du Midi, as Lola mentioned. Going to the top is spectacular - much more so, imo, than going to the top of the Jungfraujoch in BO....But I like the BO better for all the reasons Lola wrote about. Hiking (I use the term loosely b/c you don't really have to hike if you don't want to - they have paved paths and lifts that take you up so you can walk down) is amazing there with the spectacular Alps all around you as you walk through meadows of wildflowers, cows (with their ringing bells), streams and the charming car-free villages. I understand why Lola would compare it to Yosemite, but to me, the BO is 100 times better than Yosemite. BO is my 3rd favorite place in all of Europe...it's paradise.

Chamonix- $$$. Berner Oberland- $$$$$$.

Berner Oberland doesn't have to be $$$$$$. You just have to choose your lodging carefully.

Even if you do, almost everything else (food, transportation, shopping, etc) is still far more expensive than in France. Plus, not everyone wants to stay at Walter's in Gimmelwald.

Actually, we stay very comfortably and quite inexpensively in both Wengen (at a hotel) and Mürren (an apartment). Never been to Walter's. We're not shoppers, apart from groceries, so I can't speak to that. Restaurant meals are somewhat higher in Switzerland, but food and wine bought at the grocery seemed pretty comparable. Transportation expenses can be reduced with an appropriate pass. Tom's comparison factor suggests that the Berner Oberland prices are double what you would find in Chamonix, and that is not our experience at all.

I totally agree with Lola. We did not find the Berner Oberland to be any more expensive than Chamonix....The only thing I found to be outrageously expensive in the BO was going to the top of the Jungfraujoch which, for me, was not worth it. And, like Lola said, if you learn about the various passes, you can save $$ on the lifts.