Interlaken ski resort, 60kms south of Bern, and 130kms southwest of Zürich, is the Bernese Oberland's most popular resort town. There is great skiing for all ages and skill levels and Interlaken is also popular for its cheap winter (low season) rates. The resort is conveniently located between two scenic lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Interlaken is a pleasant place to stay and has good shopping and a wide range of facilities available to the non-skier. There are 5,500 beds on offer in over 100 hotels, motels and pensions, ranging from the modest and reasonable to more expensive luxury establishments.

Interlaken's runs are divided into 30 per cent beginner slopes; 50 per cent, intermediate; and 20 per cent reserved for advanced skiers. The longest single run is nine kilometres. Forty-eight ski lifts can move up to 22,000 skiers per hour. In addition to the pistes, there are cross-country trails.

Other winter activities and facilities include snowboarding, with a terrain park and two half-pipes; mono-skiing; mountaineering; ice-canyoning; snow rafting; paragliding; hiking; ice-skating (artificial); tobogganing; luge; curling; and horseback riding. For relaxation, there is a wellness room, indoor swimming/tennis and golf. Cafés and restaurants are numerous and nightlife is lively, with several discos and bars, plus a casino.

November to April at Interlaken ski resort is the low season, except for Christmas and New Year, and the best snow can be had in February and early March.

The most popular way to get here is to fly to Zürich International Airport and take a direct train (or change at Lucerne) to the resort. Trains take about two hours, and by hire car you can nearly halve this time.