Opening hours
Mid-December to mid-February
Ice Rink: Daily 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Restaurant: Daily 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
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Bundesplatz Ice Rink
In the winter, Parliament Square becomes a playground for ice skates. This artificial ice rink amid the unique setting of the Swiss parliament building is popular with both locals and tourists.
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Kunsteisbahn Bundesplatz
Bundesplatz
3000 Bern
Phone +41 (0)31 351 62 39
Ski Season
The first official day of winter is the 21st of December but many ski resorts will open their lifts early. In the Canton of Bern alone you can look forward to 954 kilometers of slopes. Many top rated ski resorts in the Jungfrau Region are easily accessible within 1-2 hours.
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For a complete list of Swiss ski resorts, websites and ski conditions Click Here​
The Top4 pass will be retired after the 2024-2025 ski season. The replacement for this pass will be The Alps Pass. The new Alps Pass will include the areas of Adelboden-Link, Aletsch Arena, Engelberg-Titlis and Jungfrau Ski Region. Gstadd and Meiringen-Hasliberg will announce their winter ski passes at a later date.
There are two ways to pay for ski passes minus the VAT.
1) The pass can be purchased online. You can then send a scanned VAT refund form via email. In the body of the email, provide full names (last, first), dates of birth, and address for those you want to order passes for, along with a passport size picture of each (to go on the pass). You will need to provide your credit card information as well or instruct them to call you when time to charge. They will then produce your Top4 passes for you and charge for the total amount minus the VAT.
2) Submit your ski pass receipt in your annual VAT submission.
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For further details please about The Alps, Gstaad or Meiringen-Hasliberg ski details, please visit the appropiate landing page.
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For more details about skiing in and around Bern. Check out the Ski Page.
Ice Palaces in Schwarzsee
Cash only:
Adults 10 CHF
Children (4-16) 5 CHF
Closed Monday & Tuesday
Not far from Bern there is a fairy tale world made of ice and light
INFORMATION
Schwarzsee Tourism
Schwarzseestrasse 212
1716 Schwarzsee
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+41 (0)26 412 13 13
(Anglican Church)
Jubiläumspl. 2, 3005 Bern
24 Dec @ 22.00, Christmas Eve Service
25 Dec @ 10.00, Christmas Day Family Carol Service
More Info
English-speaking carol service/Christmas Mass in Bern:
(International Evangelical Church)
Zeughausgasse 35, 3011 Bern
9 Dec @ 17.00, Nativity Service
16 Dec @ 17.00, Carol Service
23 Dec @ 17.00, Christmas Service
This artificial outdoor ice rink can be reached in a few minutes by public transport from the center.
Ice skates and skating aids can be rented on site.
Adults: 7.50 CHF
Children 6-16: 3.80 CHF
Children 5 & under: free
Daily skate rental: 7.00 CHF
Open 9.00-21.00 (Sunday til 18.30)
Ka-We-De, 3005 Bern
Ice Skating at Ka-We-De
Skiing and Sledding
The Gurten
When there is enough snow, the beginner ski lifts and toboggan runs are open daily and the outdoor vendors are open to enjoy mulled wine, punch, tea and Chäsbrägu while taking in the views.
Skis, poles and ski boots for children aged 3 to 8 can be rented on site for 5 CHF. Ski school lessonscan be booked at www.ssb.chor +41.079.640.44.71
The toboggan run is open daily from 9.00-19.00. Traditioanl wooden sledges can be rented at the Gurtenbahn mountain station for 5 CHF.
Snow Engstligenalp Snowtubing Park can be reached by the Engstligenalp aerial cableway.The cable cars are located next to Kinderland Strubeli.
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Aerial cable car mountain rides are open 8.45-16.45. Train ride takes 7 mins and rides are every 15 minutes.
**Helmets are required, goggles are recommended**
Pay 3 CHF per run, 24 CHF 10-trip ticket or 20 CHF for 4 hours (more than enough time)
There is a fondue igloo on-site and another restaurant straight across from the tubing area.
Bergbahnen Engstligenalp AG Unter der Birg, 3715 Adelboden
Snow Tubing
New Year's Eve Bern
Crowds of people will be clinking glasses on the Münsterplatz on 31 Dec to ring in the new year. Everyone brings their own champagne and glasses. The big fireworks display on the Gurten can easily be seen from town.
The Gurten has a variety of restaurants offering New Year’s menus and views of the fireworks, reserve now.
Museum Night Bern
Around 40 museums and cultural institutions will open their doors late into the evening (18.00-02.00) with culinary treats and behind the scenes opportunities.
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The classic car rides through Bern are particularly popular. The tours begin in front of the Hotel Bellevue and are free for all visitors.
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Tickets for the Museum Night are available for 25 CHF (children under 16 receive a free Mini-Ticket) and includes admission to all participating institutions and the use of shuttle lines and public transport in zone 100/101 (from 5pm to the end of operation).
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Tickets can be purchased online, at the TI at the Bern Bahnhof, or at the participating institutions.
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