The Neuchâtel locality of Brévine is considered to be Switzerland's Siberia. But near a Bernese Oberland lake, we measure even lower temperatures. Is ScleStalsee the coldest place in Switzerland?
With a temperature of -41.8 degrees recorded on January 12, 1987, Brévine is officially considered the most freezing place in Switzerland. But it would be even colder near Sägistalsee, a small lake that is difficult to access between Lake Brienz and the valley leading to Grindelwald.
This place was highlighted by Stephan Vogt, a climatologist by training fascinated by the cold winters that spends his free time looking for the coldest places in Switzerland.
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A private measurement station
Swiss measurement networks, like meteosuisse, are limited and cannot measure the temperature everywhere. Especially since particularly cold places are often not covered. It is therefore thanks to digital cards that Stephan Vogt fell a few years ago on the Sägistalsee.
Its resort, managed privately, measured -42.4 degrees in 2023. This made the headlines. In recent days too, it has sometimes been freezing cold: -37.8 degrees.
“To know such a cold, you have to go to Scandinavia, Siberia or Canada normally,” said Stephan Vogt. The conditions for the cold near the lake are ideal. It is located nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, in a depression. The cold air can thus accumulate and the heat dissipates.
-Record or not?
Despite everything, the temperature measured by Stephan Vogt is not considered an official cold record in Switzerland. “For records, only the values of the weather measurement network are taken into account,” said the climatologist. It doesn't bother him. “I just look forward to the cold, it's fascinating.”
Winter is a special period in Sägistalsee. Temperatures decrease drastically and this represents a challenge for animals. Thomas Gerber, fisherman, knows this well: “The lake has been frozen for seven months.” Fish should therefore endure a lot of things and take a long winter break.
Canadian lake trout were also introduced into the lake over 100 years ago. This species of American fish accommodates cold, according to the president of the fishing association. Even today, the association raises fish that are released in the lake after one or two years.
For 125 years, the lake has been rented – with a short interruption – by the Bernese Oberland Fishing Company Interlaken. He is part of an alpine pasture which belongs to the inner-iselten pasture community. In winter, the deserted valley is only accessible only in snowshoes or in hiking skis, only when the risk of avalanche is not too high. In the past, the lake was a confidential place in summer and was only visited by a few hikers.
A lake become famous
But nowadays, its popularity has increased sharply. It is mainly young people who come there. They sometimes camp with several tents around the lake, reports Peter Urfer, vice-president of the local fishing association and colleague from Thomas Gerber. “This audience is unfortunately often harmful,” explains Peter Urfer. Strong music, the use of drones and a lack of environmental consciousness disturb tranquility. Not to mention the popularity acquired on social media that has aggravated the situation.
The fishermen reacted with astonishment when they heard, two years ago, that “their” lake would be the coldest place in Switzerland. “Since then, we are especially concerned that he becomes even better known,” explains Thomas Gerber, for whom “the lake is a gem that must be protected”.
Thomas Pressmann (SRF)/ain
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