I would also second that based on the past half year or so I've been in Bern. People have been willing to speak to me in High German (and sometimes when I get stuck, I've also met a few people who have asked me to speak in English, since they understand English, and then they will reply in High German if they're not too confident about their own English).

In a social situation though (in my case morning tea/lunch at work), people will by default speak Swiss German to each other unless you pipe up, and this is where you may feel left out (as per Remo's experience). But I find that this is an excellent opportunity to listen and pick up a little bit of the dialect (sometimes there is a pattern to how the High German words translate to dialect).

Also would like to recommend Inlingua, have had a positive experience so far in my High German classes, especially with my teacher, who has lived in CH for many years. At times when we learn a new word, she will point out how it is different in Swiss German as a matter of conversation, which is handy.

cyrat