Think Switzerland is only worth visiting when the sun is shining? Think again! Switzerland in Winter transforms the country into a snowy wonderland, and you don’t need to ski to enjoy it. From magical mountain villages and scenic Swiss train rides, to festive Christmas markets and cosy lakeside towns, here are our personal 13 reasons to visit Switzerland in winter.
Switzerland In Winter
When people picture Switzerland in winter, their minds often go straight to ski slopes, snowboards and après-ski. But what if you don’t ski?
The good news is that Switzerland in winter is still an incredible destination even if you never set foot on a ski slope. From snowy mountain villages and spectacular train journeys to thermal baths, Christmas markets, fondue and winter walks, there are countless ways to experience the magic of Switzerland during the colder months.
We think the Winter season can be one of the most beautiful times to explore the country of Switzerland. Read on to see our reasons!
Which city in switzerland is the prettiest in winter?
Well, that truly depends on what you find pretty! Many would think instantly of the larger, more popular destinations such as Zurich, Davos, Lucerne, St Moritz and Zermatt.
Others would tell you about the smallest, cutest villages instead of cities, the ones that are harder to reach. Such as Bosco Gurin, Engadin, Arosa (photos below) and Sonogno.
TIP: We’ve enjoyed a wonderful few nights in Zermatt as non-skiers. Discover what you can do in Zermatt without the skis!
13 reasons to visit Switzerland in winter if you’re a non-skier
1. Explore Switzerland’s Magical Christmas Markets
One of the best reasons to visit Switzerland in early winter is the Christmas atmosphere. From late November onwards, towns and cities are decorated with festive lights, Christmas trees and traditional wooden market stalls. You’ll smell the mulled wine, warm treats and hear festive music throughout.
Some of the most popular Christmas markets can be found in Montreux, Basel, Bellinzona, Zurich, Bern and Lucerne. Montreux is particularly spectacular, with its market stretching along the shores of Lake Geneva and the mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. However it’s also one of the most chaotic, especially if you visit on a weekend. So visiting some of the smaller markets throughout Switzerland are much more cosy and enjoyable.
We love wandering between stalls selling handmade gifts, drink hot mulled wine and try seasonal Swiss treats while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
If you’re visiting Switzerland in late November or December, adding at least one Christmas market to your itinerary is a must.
2. Take a Spectacular Swiss Train Journey
You don’t need to hike up a mountain to enjoy the Swiss Alps. Simply sit back and let the train do the work.
Winter is an especially beautiful time for some of Switzerland’s famous scenic railway journeys.
The Glacier Express travels between Zermatt and St. Moritz, passing snowy landscapes, mountain valleys, impressive bridges and dramatic Alpine scenery. The full journey takes almost eight hours, making it a brilliant way to experience the Alps without having to ski or hike.
Another popular option is the Bernina Express, which travels through spectacular mountain scenery between Chur and Tirano.
One train ride that we’ve enjoyed during the winter season is The GoldenPass Express. The Golden Pass Express route is another fantastic choice, connecting central Switzerland with the Lake Geneva region. We really enjoyed this trip with the snow out the window!
For non-skiers, Switzerland’s railways are one of the easiest ways to experience the mountains.
3. See the Matterhorn Without Skiing
You don’t need to be a skier to visit Zermatt – and our first ever visit there during winter didn’t involve any skis either!
This famous Alpine village is home to the Matterhorn and is arguably one of Switzerland’s most iconic winter destinations. The village itself is car-free, making it particularly atmospheric when covered in snow. You can consider taking the Matterhorn Express to the top for very impressive views at 3,883 meters (12,740 feet)!
One of the best non-skiing experiences is taking the Gornergrat Railway high into the mountains for spectacular views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. We did beautiful snow hike from the Gornergrat down to a previous station and had the route mostly to ourselves too, was absolutely beautiful!
You can also explore Zermatt’s charming streets, browse the shops, enjoy lunch in a mountain restaurant or warm up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine beside a cosy fireplace.
Even if you never ski, Zermatt is a destination worth visiting simply for the scenery.
TIP: Discover Zermatt as a non skiier with our guide: Zermatt In Winter: Things To Do For Non-Skiers
4. Go Winter Hiking
Winter hiking is one of the easiest ways for non-skiers to experience Switzerland’s snowy landscapes.
Many mountain regions have prepared winter hiking trails, allowing you to walk through forests, villages and snowy landscapes without needing specialist skiing skills.
The Interlaken region is particularly good for winter walks, with routes offering views towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. There are also winter trails around destinations such as Blenio Valley, Grindelwald, Mürren, Engelberg and Wengen.
And if there’s no snow at lower elevations, that’s not necessarily a problem. In regions such as Ticino, you can often enjoy sunny lakeside walks while the higher mountains are covered in snow. We have a nice collection of winter activities when in Lugano here: Winter In Lugano: Snowy Viewpoints, Christmas Festivities and Warm Things To Do
Winter hiking is also a great way to escape the crowds and experience a quieter side of Switzerland.
5. Try Snowshoeing
If you want to venture deeper into the snowy landscape, try snowshoeing for the day.
Snowshoes allow you to walk across deeper snow without sinking, and you don’t need previous skiing experience. Many Swiss mountain destinations have marked snowshoe routes suitable for beginners.
The Bernese Oberland is particularly beautiful in winter. Areas around destinations such as Niederhorn and Lombachalp offer spectacular views across snowy mountains and valleys.
Snowshoeing can also be a much quieter alternative to visiting a busy ski resort. Instead of rushing down a mountain, you can take your time and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
It’s the perfect winter activity for anyone who loves nature but isn’t interested in skiing.
TIP: You can often rent snowshoes from local shops that also rent skis/snowboards and toboggans. Else you can check some sporting shops like decathlon for rental equipment.
6. Relax in a Swiss Thermal Spa
Cold weather and hot water are a pretty perfect combination. Switzerland is home to numerous thermal baths where you can spend a few hours, or an entire day, soaking in warm water while surrounded by snowy scenery.
Leukerbad in Valais is one of the country’s best-known thermal spa destinations. The town is surrounded by mountains and is particularly spectacular during winter.
Another famous option is 7132 Therme in Vals, where you can combine warm thermal waters with impressive architecture and a beautiful Alpine setting.
Imagine sitting outside in a steaming pool while snow-covered mountains surround you. That’s winter in Switzerland at its best.
We have not tried too many spas during our winters in Switzerland, but we plan to try some this year!!
7. Ride a Mountain Cable Car Without Skiing!
Mountain cable cars aren’t just for skiers. Throughout Switzerland, cable cars, funiculars and mountain railways transport visitors to spectacular viewpoints where you can enjoy the scenery, have lunch, a little snow hike or simply take photographs and relax.
In Bern, you can head towards destinations such as Niederhorn for panoramic views over Lake Thun and the surrounding Alps.
In Grisons, you can head up many cable cars such as to be above San Bernardino or the Rothorn.
In Ticino, you can also ride mountain railways and funiculars to places such as Monte Tamaro, Airolo and Monte Generoso, where clear winter days can offer beautiful views across the region.
Many mountain viewpoints have restaurants or cafés, meaning you can combine sightseeing with a relaxing meal.
Fun fact: We even did a mountain cable car and a restaurant visit on Christmas day, without any skis.
8. Eat ALL the Swiss Comfort Food
Let’s be honest, one of the best things about winter in Switzerland is the delicious options of food. When temperatures drop, it’s time for fondue, raclette, rösti and other hearty Swiss dishes.
There’s something particularly satisfying about sitting inside a cosy mountain restaurant with a bubbling pot of melted cheese in front of you while snow falls outside.
For an extra-special experience, look for a mountain hut fondue evening or combine dinner with a winter activity such as sledging.
In Ticino, you can visit the Sentiero delle Rive for a scenic beachside winter walk, and end at the Wake Bar Inn for a delicious Swiss fondue and aperol spritz!
9. Visit Switzerland’s Beautiful Winter Cities
Winter isn’t just about the mountains. Cities such as Lucerne, Bern, Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne become incredibly atmospheric during the colder months.
Bern’s UNESCO-listed old town is perfect for wandering between cafés, shops, museums and bear spotting, while Zurich combines Christmas markets, shopping, restaurants and cultural attractions.
Lucerne is particularly beautiful, with its historic old town, famous Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne surrounded by mountains.
If the weather turns rainy or snowy, simply head indoors to one of Switzerland’s many museums. Some of our favourites include The Swiss Transport Museum ‘Verkehrshaus’ which is also in Lucerne.
Winter is also a great time to enjoy Switzerland’s cities without trying to fit dozens of outdoor activities into every day.
10. Go Ice Skating
For a classic winter activity, lace up some skates.
Outdoor ice rinks appear across Switzerland during the winter season, giving you the opportunity to skate beneath Christmas lights or surrounded by snowy mountain scenery. You can often find them close to the Christmas markets in Switzerland.
It’s a fun alternative to skiing and works particularly well as an evening activity after exploring a town or Christmas market. Even if you’re not particularly confident on skates, it can be a fun activity to try with friends or family.
You can often rent the skates nearby for just a few CHF per activity.
11. Take a Winter Boat Trip
Switzerland’s lakes don’t disappear when summer ends. In fact, travelling across a Swiss lake in winter can be surprisingly peaceful.
Around Interlaken, winter boat trips on Lake Thun provide views of snow-covered mountains, villages and lakeside castles.
You can also explore Lake Lucerne by boat, where the combination of the deep blue water and surrounding snow-covered mountains can create spectacular scenery.
For a slower experience, simply sit inside with a hot drink and watch the scenery go by.
A winter lake cruise is also a great option when you want to enjoy Switzerland’s scenery without spending hours outdoors in the cold.
12. Experience Switzerland’s other Winter Adventure Activities
If skiing doesn’t appeal to you because you want something more exciting, there are plenty of alternatives.
Try sledging and tobogganing in the snowy mountains!
Sledging and tobogganing is a classic Swiss winter experience and can be enjoyed at numerous mountain resorts all over Switzerland. Some destinations have long dedicated sledging runs where you can race down the mountain surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Some of our favourite toboggan locations are:
- The Unique Experience Of Skitti Tobogganing In Ticino
- Night Sledging in Switzerland: Preda – Bergün Route!
- Bergün Preda Sledging: The Darlux & Preda Routes
- Visiting The Winter Ski Resort Of Nara Ticino
TIP: Discover our Sledging in Switzerland: 10 Beginner Tips and Essential Information before sledging for yourself!
Another option is to head to a winter resort for some local fun. Last winter we headed to Engelberg for some snow adventures with their Titlis SnowXPark Trubsee, where you could race with three motorised vehicles – snowmobiles, snow moonbikes and snow bobs!
They were so much fun, and would definitely do the activities again if we’re back in Engelberg during winter!
13. Enjoy the Peaceful Side of Switzerland
Perhaps the best reason to visit Switzerland in winter is simply the atmosphere.
Snow-covered villages, frozen lakes, quiet forests and misty mountain valleys create a completely different feeling from Switzerland in summer.
You can wake up in a cosy hotel, airbnb or tiny house, enjoy breakfast with a mountain view, spend the afternoon exploring a quiet Swiss village and finish the day with fondue beside a fireplace.
One recommendation we have is to find a beautiful little place with a hot tub. Winter snowy conditions is the perfect time to also relax in a warm, relaxing hot tub. We enjoyed a beautiful stay near Lucerne for winter Valentines once, an adorable, converted greenhouse with a cosy fireplace, all the basics and a hot tub outside!
We had the perfect view of Mount Pilatus too – when the clouds didn’t hide it!
Switzerland in Winter Is for Everyone
Switzerland may be famous for its ski resorts, but you absolutely don’t need to be a skier to enjoy a Swiss winter.
Whether you’re exploring Christmas markets in Montreux, admiring the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Railway, relaxing in a thermal bath in Leukerbad, hiking through snowy forests or simply eating your way through Switzerland’s finest fondue restaurants, winter offers a huge variety of experiences.
And perhaps that’s the best part: you can enjoy the snow without ever having to put on a pair of skis.
Want to sleep in Switzerland during Winter?
For those looking to sleep somewhere special during winter in Switzerland, our top winter accommodations include:
- Our Cozy Alpine Escape At Hotel Alpenclub Engelberg
- Sleeping In A Luxury Swiss Greenhouse
- Bed and Breakfast Darlux in Bergun: Two Nights In Winter
- A Cozy Autumn Getaway at Arosa Vetter Hotel
- A Winter Stay At Gasthaus & Hotel Berninahaus
- Sleeping High In The Mountains At Fronalpstock Hotel, Switzerland
- Our Weekend Stay At Hotel Slalom in Bettmeralp
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