Switzerland Junfroujoch & Matterhorn

Unfortunately, you're completely at the mercy of the weather in the Alps, and May generally is not a great month. Cloud cover and rain are a bad combination at high altitude. You can't see anything, and the rain and wind attack you with a different sort of ferocity that you would experience from the same storm at a lower elevation. So yes, I echo Pat's advice, don't bother.

Christine, if its raining/snowing you will get no views,, so I wouldn't go up Gornergrat, and I wouldn't bother going up Matterhorne either.. sorry, weather does matter in these cases.
The views can be spectacular amazing, I loved my visits to Switzerland( Zermattt and Wengen etc ) but in bad weather it can really be socked in.. maybe wait and see

Forecasts seven days in advance for the alps are mostly useless because the weather changes so rapidly; so don't give up hope:) The Junfroujoch is a bit more weather-proof than other mountain top panoramas. Even with poor visibility there are other things you can do up there. There are exhibits inside the mountain top. There is a beautiful ice-gallery inside the glacier. In addition you can you can walk on top of the glacier where there are other activities like a zip-line and mini-luge run.

christie, As the others have mentioned, the Matterhorn may not be a good choice at this time of year, and it will also take a bit of time to get there from the Berner Oberland. I haven't been to Gornergrat yet, so don't have any comments to offer on that. I'd suggest checking the weekly weather report when you arrive in that area, in case there's a "window of opportunity". The Jungfraujoch is always a bit of a gamble. When I was there in mid-September last year, the weather was great in the valley and in Kleine Scheidegg, but when I got to the top there was a severe blizzard with gale force winds, so I wasn't able to venture outside. The following day was worse, with train service between Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg suspended due to high winds. However, as the others said there's lots to do inside the mountain including the Ice Palace, restaurants, shops and other displays. It's such a unique place to see, it's well worth the trip, although it's not cheap! The top of the Sphinx Observatory is at about 12,000 feet, so you'll probably find that you're all moving a bit more "slowly" than at lower altitudes. You could also consider a trip to Mürren and the Schilthorn and Piz Gloria. You can have a fine hot meal in the revolving restaurant at 10,000 feet, while the vista of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau pass by the windows. You could also have a "Martini shaken not stirred" in the James Bond Bar (one floor down from the restaurant). Switzerland is expensive, but the scenery is incredible! Happy travels!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice! It is greatly appreciated. I think we'll probably scrap the Matterhorn. Since we are staying in Lens for 2 nights would it be worth it to still go to Zermatt even if the weather is cloudy? I was there when I was 11 but all I really remember - besides the gorgeous views and taking the cable car - is that my opa's shoelace broke and everyone thought it was the funniest thing in the world. We were with family from Cernier who I have unfortunately lost touch with. As for Jungfroujoch - perhaps we'll try depending on the weather. We will be in Lauterbrunnen for 3 nights so hopefully an opportunity will arise. And Ken, thanks for the Schilthorn recommendation - I think we'll give that a try. Regards,
Christie

christie, If you've ever seen the movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, you'll recognize the Schilthorn right away. It was on cable the other day and I quite enjoyed watching it as I made another visit to the Schilthorn last September. There are two routes you can take to reach the Schilthorn from Lauterbrunnen. If you need further details, post another note. You might consider getting one of the Swiss Passes, in order to reduce the expensive cost of transportation in that area. Getting around in that area is VERY easy, especially from Lauterbrunnen since it's a "hub". Where are you staying there? Cheers!

Thanks again Ken! We will be staying at Hotel Staubbach, per Rick's advice. I chose Lauterbrunnen for that reason - it appeared to be a hub. And, although, Murren was very tempting we will have a rental car and I preferred a place with parking. I'm contemplating getting the Flex Pass. Unfortunately, due to the weather concerns, I'm not sure how many trains/funiculars/gondolas we will use. It appears to pay for itself rather quickly so I'll probably get the 3 or 4 day pass. Regarding routes to reach the Schilthorn from Lauterbrunnen - sure, I'll love any advise you could give. I usually pride myself on not asking travel questions that one can look up on their own but if you've got suggestions, I'll take them! Plus, I'm running out of time ;)

christie, From Lauterbrunnen, there are two routes you can use: > Take the Post Bus (bright yellow, you can't miss it) to Stechelberg and then the cable car to Gimmelwald and Mürren (it's a spectacular ride - be sure to have your camera ready). You might want to have a short look around Gimmelwald, one of Rick's favourite towns in that area. Have a "cool one" at the Pension and then continue to Mürren (you can also walk on a paved trail rather than take the cable car, but of course it's uphill). > Take the Cable Car to Grütschalp (terminal is right across the street from the Lauterbrunnen rail station) where you'll connect with the small BLM mountain railway for the short trip to Mürren. You'll arrive at the opposite end of town from the cable car. You could (for example) take the Cable Car TO Mürren and then return via the BLM railway. I haven't stayed at Hotel Staubbach but have seen it. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful stay there. If you have time, I'd suggest having dinner at Hotel Oberland one night. The food is great (at least IMHO)! I especially enjoyed the Oberland Rösti. Cheers!

Ken, as always, THANKS! You've been a gem. Chris - thanks so much for the links, very helpful!

christie, One other point to mention. If you buy tickets at the station in Lauterbrunnen for the trip from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren, Schilthorn and back, they will include ALL modes of transport. You'll need to specify which route you prefer when you buy the tickets (from the two options I listed earlier).

Thanks Ken!

"Since we are staying in Lens for 2 nights would it be worth it to still go to Zermatt even if the weather is cloudy?" Lens might be relatively close to Zermatt, but I found Zermatt to be even more weather dependent than the Berner Oberland. If you can't see the mountain peaks due to clouds, you're somewhat trapped in an isolated-dead end valley that may as well be a shopping mall. Perhaps, check the webcams on the day you would consider the visit to Zermatt. Sometimes, even if it appears cloudy from the valley floor, the cloud cover may not extend very high, and you can still view the Matterhorn (and all the surrounding majestic peaks) from a higher elevation. Conversely, because many of these mountains "make their own weather", the Matterhorn could shroud itself in it's own cloud blanket on a day when the sky is otherwise clear and blue. And to complicate matters further... clouds can move in very rapidly, so those postcard views you saw on the webcam could disappear by the time you arrive in Zermatt.

Thanks Tom, much appreciated!