The mountains have their own rules, and sometimes that means waking up to grey skies and drizzle. But a rainy day in the Kandersteg region doesn’t have to mean a day wasted. From climbing walls to underground waterfalls, medieval castles to lawn bowls on ice, there’s more to do than you might think. Here’s our go-to guide for families when the weather turns.
In Kandersteg Village
Climbing Hall (Kletterhalle Kandersteg)
On a wet afternoon, the indoor climbing hall is one of the best things going. The hall welcomes climbers of all ages and abilities, with around 50 different routes ranging from easy to challenging — something for beginners and more experienced climbers alike.
Note that the hall is unsupervised, so prior knowledge of climbing and belaying is required.
Gear can be rented at the sports shops in the village.
📍 Eisbahnweg, Kandersteg | Read more
Bowls at the Ice Rink (Kunsteisbahn)
This one is a hidden gem. From May to the end of September, the curling hall at Kandersteg’s ice rink is converted for Bowls — the British lawn sport played indoors on carpet, where players roll weighted balls as close as possible to a small target ball.
Sessions take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 19:30. At CHF 10 per person, it’s affordable, sociable, and genuinely fun for families with older children (ages 10+). The SportPub restaurant in the same building is ideal before or after a game.
📍 Eisbahnweg 3, Kandersteg | kunsteisbahnkandersteg.ch
Curling Taster Sessions
The curling hall at Kandersteg’s ice rink has three covered artificial ice rinks and regularly offers taster curling lessons for individuals and groups. Under the guidance of an expert, beginners learn the basics of this traditional winter sport. It’s social, easy to pick up, and surprisingly competitive once the family gets going. Contact the Tourist Centre to book.
📍 Eisbahnweg, Kandersteg | adelboden-lenk-kandersteg.ch
Haus der Museen (House of Museums)
A genuinely interesting stop in the heart of the village. The House of Museums brings together the local history museum, the Scout Museum, and a UNESCO regional visitor centre under one roof.
The Scout Museum tells the story of the Scouting movement and Kandersteg’s special connection to it — Lord Baden-Powell himself launched a World Jamboree here. The UNESCO centre gives a visual, interactive introduction to alpine geology and the Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage site.
Also housed here is Switzerland’s first cable car museum, where visitors can learn about the history of Swiss mountain railways and, in some cases, try out the technology themselves.
Open from 8 May to 20 October 2025, daily between 14:00–17:00. With the guest card the entrance is only CHF 8 for adults and CHF 3 for children over 6 years old.
📍 Äussere Dorfstrasse 146, Kandersteg | museum-kandersteg.ch
Wellness & Spa
If the kids are a bit older and everyone could do with a slow morning, several hotels in Kandersteg open their wellness facilities to day visitors. The Chalet-Hotel Adler and the Waldhotel Doldenhorn both have spa and sauna areas — a lovely option for parents while older children are occupied elsewhere. Call ahead to confirm availability and prices.
Staying In: Puzzles, Games & Books
Don’t underestimate the pleasure of a proper rainy day at home. A slow morning in the chalet, pancakes, waffles and a stack of games is a legitimate choice — especially with younger children who’d rather not be bundled into waterproofs.
And sometimes, no activity is the best activity. Kids often need very little — a puddle, a muddy path, and permission to get completely soaked. A rainy afternoon running around outside, jumping in puddles and chasing each other through the drizzle, can be just as memorable as any organised outing. Chalet Dahai has a covered outdoor entry area where everyone can strip off muddy boots, wet rain jackets and soggy gear before coming inside — so there’s no need to worry about the mess.
Once everyone is dry and warm again, here’s what you’ll find in the chalet for the quieter hours:
- Puzzles — A range of sizes and difficulty levels, from first puzzles for little ones to proper 1,000-piece challenges for adults and older children
- Board games — A mix of classics and family favourites to suit different ages and group sizes
- Card games — Quick to pick up, easy to play at the kitchen table, and endlessly replayable
- Books — A curated shelf of reading for all ages, from picture books for the youngest guests to novels for grown-ups who finally have an excuse to sit still
Nearby (30–60 min by car or train)
Schloss Thun – Thun Castle (~35 min by car or direct train)
A medieval castle sitting dramatically above the old town of Thun, and one of the best family destinations in the Bernese Oberland on a rainy day. The castle’s five floors house a historical museum, and the four corner towers offer a 360-degree view over the city, the lake and the Alps. Families can follow the Knight’s Trail, where younger visitors can learn what it took to become a knight or a lady of the court.
Opening hours (summer): July–August: daily 9:30–17:30. April–June and September–October: daily 10:00–17:00.
Prices: Adults CHF 10, children aged 6–16 CHF 3, family card (2 adults + 2 children) CHF 20. Children under 6 and Swiss Museum Pass holders enter free.
Direct train from Kandersteg to Thun, approx. 55 min. By car approx. 35 min. 
Schlossberg 1, 3600 Thun | schlossthun.ch
Trümmelbachfälle – Trümmelbach Falls, Lauterbrunnen (~45 min by car)
Copyright: https://www.truemmelbachfaelle.ch/e/index.html[/caption]
This is one of the most spectacular natural experiences in all of Switzerland — and it works brilliantly in wet weather because you’re inside a mountain anyway. The Trümmelbach Falls are a series of ten waterfalls hidden inside a gorge, draining the glacial meltwater from the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch. At peak flow, up to 20,000 litres of water per second thunder through the narrow rock channels. A system of tunnels, stairs, platforms and bridges lets visitors walk safely through the mountain and observe the falls from close range. An elevator takes visitors partway up, making the visit manageable for most families.
Important for families: For safety reasons, children under 4 and dogs are not permitted. No strollers inside. Best for children aged 5 and up — though younger children who are confident walkers generally manage well with an adult.
Opening hours: July–August: 8:30–18:00. April–June and September–October: 9:00–17:00.
Prices (2025): CHF 16 per adult, CHF 7 per child aged 6–15, under 6 free.
Trümmelbachfälle, 3824 Stechelberg | truemmelbachfaelle.ch
Frutigresort, Frutigen (~15 min by car)
The closest all-weather family destination to Kandersteg, and it’s a proper day out for children. The Frutigresort combines an indoor swimming pool with an outdoor pool, a unique underground Murmeli (marmot) adventure playground with over 130 metres of cave tunnels, a climbing tower, pump track, mini golf, beach volleyball and table football. The climbing tower is described as the first and only one of its kind in the Bernese Oberland, with multiple levels and difficulty grades for all ages. There’s also a restaurant on site.
Day visitors are welcome for the pool and outdoor activities — call ahead or check the website for pricing and opening times, as some activities are weather-dependent.
Frutigresort, Frutigen | frutigresort.ch
Practical Tips for Rainy Days in the Region
- Guest Card: Included with every stay — covers public transport and gives discounts on local attractions. Don’t leave the house without it.
- Getting around: The train station is 7 minutes on foot, the bus stop 1 minute. No car needed.
- Wet gear: Leave muddy boots and rain jackets in the covered outdoor entry area before coming inside.
- Umbrellas: Rain caught you by surprise? You can use the free umbrellas available in the entry room. Just make sure you put it back for the next guests.
- Layering: Bring a light layer for the climbing hall and especially for Trümmelbach — it gets cool inside the mountain.
