Christmas dinner: Heavenly prospects and bright ideas

Even if the Big Dipper isn’t able to dip into the Milky Way, the stars will certainly be aligned for your team at the Christmas party on the Gurten. After all, the world of astronomy is instantly fascinating, whether you know anything about it or not. And on Bern’s local mountain, you’re closer to the stars than ever before. Over drinks, you’ll find out some exciting facts about the planets and get to observe sparkling celestial objects through the telescope at the observatory. Afterwards, dinner is yet another opportunity to be inspired by the firmament. With magnificent views of the night sky and the city brightly lit for the festivities, you and your team will enjoy a culinary journey through the galaxy. Or at least "good things lovingly prepared" in the nearby restaurant Gurtners.

In Roman times, the path along which the Römerhof in Bühl now stands was considered an important connecting route. Today, among the green fields and meadows, you and your team will no longer encounter a trail, but a genuine gastronomic experience, in the best sense of the word. From mid-November to the end of January, the courtyard of the Römerhof shines in a sea of lights: decorated for the festive season with Christmas trees and candles, the evening begins outside with a mug of the estate’s very own mulled wine, and warming braziers to set the mood. Whether it’s before or after the Christmas meal in the main function room, at some point it will be time for your team to compete in a round of crossbow shooting milking cows. Or simply to enjoy the atmosphere of the "most wonderful time of the year" in front of the blazing fireplace, with music accompaniment.

A year-end celebration at the Tschärzis mountain hut above Gstaad is an opportunity to "feel grounded, but at altitude". The authentic alpine hut is located near Lake Arnen at 1400 m above sea level and is something of an insider’s tip, especially in winter. The journey up there alone is an experience, with the means of transport including a minibus, helicopter, horse-drawn carriage ride or your own (snow)shoes. With its cosy log-cabin atmosphere, warming furs and an open fire, the Tschärzis hut is as warming to the heart as it is to the soul. The choice of menu is as open as the skies high above the mountains, with such traditional Swiss dishes as Fondue and Raclette as well as regional specialities.

If the journey to your Christmas party is both an adventure and a team-building experience, then the destination has to be a very special one. By PostBus, aerial cableway and then underground through the tunnels and galleries, the Hospizbahn takes you all the way up to the Grimselhöhe. What awaits you and your team at the historic Alpinhotel Grimsel Hospiz is literally rock-solid winter joy. In this secluded mountain setting, you will be greeted by a warm atmosphere with open fires and the opportunity to celebrate in two main halls and a cellar hewn into the rock. The Hospiz also offers very tastefully furnished rooms and, in addition to the unique views, a highly prized cuisine.

Each year, a team uses sophisticated technology, a great deal of artistic flair and lots of hard work to shape the snow igloo up on the Engstligenalp. But it’s not just the lovingly adorned ice walls that make your winter team event an experience; you’re certain to melt away at the culinary delights on offer, too. At the Igloo Restaurant, the deliciously creamy house blend of regional cheese and bread from the Adelboden bakery will tempt you to sample to your heart’s content. With the right wine accompaniment, of course. But before you and your team make yourselves comfortable, a walk on the plateau through the magnificent winter landscape of the Bernese Oberland is more than tempting. And why not spend the night at the Berghotel or Dependance Wildstrubel so you get to enjoy a delicious "Älpler" breakfast the next day.