Winter Kayaking in Interlaken, Lake Brienz

- Snow-covered peaks mirrored in still water, Lake Brienz at its quietest - A yellow Palm Bora expedition drysuit, neoprene boots and paddle mitts: warm and dry, whatever the weather does - Hot tea from a Thermos to warm you up after the paddle - Six guests at most per group, with a guide who teaches you as you go - Photos and videos of you against the snowy peaks, sent for free - Never paddled before? You are welcome: stable sea kayaks and a relaxed pace

You push off from the shore, and on a still day the snowy summits appear again in the water beside your kayak, upside down. Winter is when the lake is yours: soft light, snow on every ridge and a silence you can hear. First time in a kayak? Come along. The sea kayaks are stable, your guide gives clear instructions before you launch and on the water, and the pace stays relaxed, with stops for photos and rest. Cold? Hightide has thought of it. You step into a yellow Palm Bora drysuit that keeps the water out, your own warm layers go underneath, and you add neoprene boots over thick socks and mitts fixed to your paddle. You follow the shoreline past the River Lütschine and along the cliffs, with Ringgenberg Castle and the surrounding peaks in view, and a hot tea warms you up after your paddle. Your guide takes photos and videos all the way and sends them to you for free.

- Adults: CHF 139 per person - Children 12 to 15: CHF 119 - Drysuit, boots, socks and paddle mitts: included, nothing to rent - Photos and videos from your guide: included

- Sea kayak and carbon fibre paddle - Buoyancy aid - Palm Bora expedition drysuit - Neoprene boots, thick warm socks and paddle mitts - Hot tea from a Thermos - Experienced guide, in English and German - Photos and videos sent for free after the tour - Free lockers for your things Not included: - Bus 103 from Interlaken Ost to Bönigen See, or paid parking on Parkstrasse - Your own warm layers (see What to Bring) - Insurance: Hightide does not insure participants and recommends cancellation, accident and rescue cover

- Thermal underwear or light sportswear, long-sleeved (merino or fleece works best) - A warm sweater such as fleece, and sports trousers if needed - A warm hat and warm socks - Warm gloves for the break - Sunglasses and sunscreen - A change of clothes for after the tour - No bulky jacket: the drysuit goes over your layers - Leave your phone and valuables in the free locker

- Never paddled before? This tour is for you: no experience needed, your guide teaches you on the way - Couples, friends and families with children from 12 - Ages 12 and up; guests under 18 need a parent's or guardian's permission - A relaxed, scenic pace with regular stops for photos and rest - Guided in English and German - Not suitable for children under 12, for guests over 120 kg (265 lbs) or for guests taller than 190 cm - With a latex or neoprene allergy the tour may not suit you: ask your doctor first - With a medical condition, write to info@hightide.ch before you book, with your tour and date

- Season: 1 November to 30 April (from May to October, see our Summer Kayak tour) - Departures almost every day of the season - Morning departures: 09:15, 09:20 or 09:45 - Afternoon departures: 13:15, 13:20 or 13:45 - The 09:45 and 13:45 starts run on selected days only: the booking calendar shows what is open - Duration: about 3 hours, around 2 of them on the water - Meeting point: Hightide Kayak School, Am Quai 1, Bönigen, at the Bönigen See bus stop, opposite the Tourist Office - Arrive 5 minutes before your start time

- Wear thin layers you can move in. The drysuit goes over them, so a bulky jacket only gets in the way - Bring dry clothes and a warm hat for afterwards: you stay warm in the suit, then you will want your own layers back - Bus 103 leaves Interlaken Ost at :05 and :35, and Hightide sets start times 5 minutes after the bus pulls in, so there is no need to rush. Skip the EXP103 express - Leave your phone in the locker. Your guide takes the photos, and the lake is up to 260 metres deep

Hightide Kayak School is a paddling school first: an official partner school of Swiss Canoe and a certified British Canoeing Delivery Centre. For the cold months it relies on Palm Equipment gear, which has been part of its kit from the beginning. Guests rate Hightide 4.9 out of 5 across more than 2400 reviews on Trustindex, which gathers Tripadvisor, Google, GetYourGuide and Viator. We send you to them because they keep winter groups to six and dress you for the cold. The activity is organised and run by Hightide Kayak School GmbH. Swiss Local Adventures acts as an intermediary in the name and on behalf of Hightide Kayak School GmbH.

*Will I be cold? Hightide dresses you for it: a drysuit that keeps the water out, neoprene boots over thick socks and mitts fixed to the paddle. Wear thermal layers underneath and bring a warm hat. *Do I need kayaking experience? No. The kayaks are stable, and your guide gives clear instructions before you launch and on the water. *Is winter kayaking safe? Hightide's guided winter tours use expert guides and top-quality equipment. It advises against paddling alone in winter without the right experience, training and gear. *I can't swim. Can I come? Hightide's own pages say the tour suits non-swimmers, while its terms ask for swimming skills on every programme. Write to info@hightide.ch before you book so they can confirm for you. *I have a latex or neoprene allergy. Can I come? The drysuit has latex seals at the wrists and a neoprene neck seal, and both touch your skin. Depending on your reaction the tour may not suit you, so ask your doctor first. *How do I get to the start? Bus 103 from Interlaken Ost towards Iseltwald takes about 10 minutes to Bönigen See. The base is at Am Quai 1, opposite the Tourist Office, and drivers can use the paid public car park on Parkstrasse. *Can I do this in summer? In summer, from May to October, the lake has its own Summer Kayak tour, in a wetsuit and jacket rather than a drysuit. See our Summer Kayak page.

Hightide paddles in most weather, rain and snow included: with the right gear, it says, kayaking is fun in any weather. Thunderstorms or very strong wind can delay or cancel a tour, and Hightide decides on the day. If they cancel, you receive a full refund or choose a new date. Check that your phone number and email are right when you book, so they can reach you.

- Cancel in writing - More than 96 hours (4 days) before the start: Hightide's terms list no fee - From 96 to 24 hours before the start: 50% of the price - Less than 24 hours before, or no-show: 100% - Late arrival or leaving early: no refund - Groups of 10 or more have their own scale: ask before you book - If Hightide cancels for weather, safety or too few participants: full refund or a new date - Hightide recommends cancellation insurance, taken out when you book