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Planning a visit to Switzerland in winter however undecided if you wish to ski? Don’t fear, there are many enjoyable issues to do in Switzerland in winter for non-skiers and I’ll inform you all about them on this article. 

For those who’re new to this weblog, hello, we’re Liza and Jose, and we frequently spend lengthy weekends exploring totally different cities and areas of Europe whereas working full-time in London. A number of occasions per yr, we additionally take longer journeys exterior Europe and, in fact, doc all our itineraries on this weblog. We’ve travelled to over 100 counties in whole, and you may see all of the locations we’ve lined on this weblog right here.

Must you go to Switzerland in winter if you happen to don’t ski?

Snowboarding is enjoyable, however let’s be sincere – except you’ve been occurring yearly ski journeys since childhood or spent weeks studying how one can ski correctly, snowboarding on actual slopes may be intimidating. I’ve solely completed snowboarding a few occasions earlier than, and so did Jose, so we had been positively not prepared for the slopes of Zermatt or Grindelwald but. However there may be extra – not everybody loves snowboarding or snowboarding. Each are excessive sports activities, and plenty of individuals are simply not into them. Does that imply that folks shouldn’t journey to Switzerland in winter? Completely not! Switzerland in winter is enjoyable even with out snowboarding! And there are many issues to do in Switzerland in winter for non-skiers!

From thrilling museums to winter sports activities that aren’t snowboarding, there are many issues to do in Switzerland throughout the chilly season. Let’s discover them on this article. 

Enjoyable issues to do in Switzerland in winter that aren’t snowboarding

Go on the world’s longest sledge run

Our absolute favorite factor to do in winter in Switzerland for non-skiers is slegding (sledding or tobogganing, nevertheless you name it). On our final journey to Switzerland, we really teamed up with Grindelwald First and tried sledging in Switzerland for the primary time. Grindelwald is dwelling to the longest sledge run on this planet – it’s over 15km lengthy and takes round 2.5 hours to finish.

We couldn’t do all 15km, as there was not sufficient snow between Bort and Grindelwald (we had been tobogganing in December), so as a substitute, we did two totally different routes – the one over Wildspitz that included a little bit of mountain climbing (the lengthy, steep incline was a little bit of problem in the beginning, however the views had been effectively price it) and one other, a lot shorter one between Grindelwald First and Bort station.

Earlier than doing the sledging in Grindelwald, I used to be beneath the impression that it was a household exercise and we’d be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra fallacious! Some segments of the run had been really fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few children on the sledge run! Most individuals had been {couples} like us or teams of associates. So, if you happen to had been like us and thought that sledging is just for households – be relaxation assured that it’s not! It’s a enjoyable exercise for everybody.

Find out how to get there?

To get to the sledge run, you may both take a practice to Grindelwald or drive there after which choose one of many parking tons subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automobile. You may convey your individual sledge or hire one in Grindelwald – essentially the most handy rental is positioned up Grindelwald First – there’s a giant Intersport that rents sledges for 18 Swiss Franks per particular person and you may return them both in Bort or beneath in Grindelwald. You additionally must buy a day go for the cable automobile on-line right here.

The place to remain in Grindelwald: 

Resort Bernerhof, Resort Spinne, Resort Fiescherblick

Discover Zermatt

Whereas Zermatt is undoubtedly a ski resort, not everybody comes there to ski. Zermatt is a stupendous city that’s particularly magical in winter. Moreover simply having fun with the city, I like to recommend heading to the panoramic viewpoint to see the postcard-perfect view of the city, visiting the Matterhorn museum and taking the Gornergrat Bahn (Europe’s highest open-air cog railway) to the three,089m excessive panoramic viewpoint.

Zermatt additionally has a really fairly city centre with a busy excessive avenue filled with eating places and retailers. Our best choice for consuming in Zermatt is The Cheese Manufacturing facility positioned on the Schweizerhof Resort – not solely does this restaurant have a comfy inside, however the fondues there are the most effective ones we’ve tried in Switzerland.

The place to remain in Zermatt:

Carina Design & Way of life Resort, Mountain Paradise, BaseCamp Resort

Take one of many panoramic trains 

Switzerland is world-famous for its gorgeous panoramic trains. Nevertheless, not everybody is aware of you can additionally take them in winter, and the views may be much more dramatic. Switzerland has probably the greatest practice methods on this planet. Furthermore, some trains present actually unforgettable experiences – Glacier Categorical, Bernina Categorical, Pilatus Practice and plenty of others. One of the simplest ways to discover Switzerland by practice is by shopping for the Swiss Cross, which supplies you free entry to numerous panoramic trains and 50% off for the remainder of the trains. It additionally offers you free entry to a lot of the museums in Switzerland! Whereas it’s not low-cost, if you happen to’re planning to take a whole lot of trains and take public transport inside cities, Swiss Cross will present substantial financial savings. You should purchase it on-line right here.

Go to one in all many nice Christmas Markets in Switzerland

For those who’re visiting Switzerland between the beginning of November and Christmas, you’ll have a chance to go to a few of Switzerland’s greatest Christmas markets. My private favorite is the Christmas market in Basel. Basel is certainly one in all my favorite cities in Switzerland, and it’s particularly magical throughout Christmas. You may study extra about Basel Christmas Markets and the most effective issues to do in Basel on this article on our weblog.

Another cities which have nice Christmas Markets embody, in fact, the capital, Zurich, Lausanne and Lucerne. 

Go to an out of doors thermal spa 

One among our favorite issues to do in winter is go to thermal spas or thermes, particularly if they’ve out of doors swimming pools. There’s nothing higher than chilling in a scorching out of doors pool with gorgeous mountain views when there may be snow throughout you. The 2 spas that now we have visited and may positively advocate are Les Bains de Lavey (purchase tickets) and Zurich Hürlimann Dangerous & Spa (purchase tickets)

The primary one is a brief drive from Lausanne and has loads of totally different swimming pools (indoor and out of doors), saunas, hammams and rest areas. The second is positioned within the coronary heart of Zurich and has a number of flooring, together with an out of doors terrace swimming pool with gorgeous panoramic views.

In fact, Switzerland has greater than 2 spas with out of doors swimming pools! These are simply the 2 now we have visited thus far (we’ll hopefully go to extra sooner or later). 

Strive cheese & go to a fort in Gruyere 

Swiss are very happy with their cheese, and probably the greatest (and most well-known) cheeses in Gruyere is called after the Gruyeres city. Gruyere cheese is historic – its manufacturing began initially of the twelfth century! You may go to the manufacturing facility & cheese store – La Maison du Gruyère, and go on a tour that may inform you extra concerning the historical past of the well-known cheese. There’s additionally a pleasant restaurant the place you may eat a hearty fondue in case you don’t really feel like taking a tour.

Moreover La Maison du Gruyère, yow will discover a shocking Gruyeres fort within the city. Gruyeres Citadel is among the most spectacular castles in Switzerland. It was constructed within the thirteenth century and has a formidable artwork assortment you can see as a part of the tour. 

Discover one in all many chocolate factories 

It feels so good to bask in a chunk (or perhaps even a bit greater than a chunk) of chocolate on a chilly winter day. It’s even higher to go on a chocolate manufacturing facility tour or do a correct chocolate tasting! There are two chocolate locations that positively stand out in Switzerland – Lindt Residence of Chocolate Museum in Zurich and Maison Cailler close to Lausanne. Ensure that to guide them upfront, because the excursions are likely to promote out! 

Go ice skating

Top-of-the-line issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding is definitely… ice skating! A number of the greatest ice skating rinks in Switzerland are the pure ones. You may skate on loads of frozen pure lakes throughout Switzerland. A number of the greatest pure rinks embody Lac de Joux, Alp Raguta in Feldis, Öschinensee in Kandersteg and plenty of others! 

Go to Glacier 3000

One other glorious location for winter enjoyable in Switzerland that’s not simply snowboarding is Glacier 3000. Residence to the one suspension bridge on this planet that connects two mountain peaks, Glacier 3000 is a must-visit attraction for breathtaking views! Moreover strolling round and having fun with the views, it’s also possible to go on a hike (sure, it’s really enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled experience. 

And naturally, you’ll need to go all the way in which as much as 3000m above the ocean stage – in a panoramic cable automobile, in order that’s already an exercise by itself.  

To purchase a day go, go to the official web site of Glacier 3000.

Bonus: go cross-country snowboarding

I do know, I do know, we promised an article that doesn’t revolve round snowboarding, however cross-country snowboarding may be very totally different from mountain snowboarding. To begin with, it doesn’t require intensive coaching (if you happen to’re planning to ski “operating type” or traditional type, all you want to do is transfer your legs ahead and again and use the poles in your fingers to push your self ahead. Skate type is more durable (I may by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t attempt very onerous) but additionally achievable. Skate-style cross nation permits you to go up and down small hills, whereas traditional type is about snowboarding on a flat floor (which is far simpler). 

One of the vital spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was really in Goms! The surroundings was unbelievable, and the monitor didn’t look too onerous! You may study extra about it and one of these snowboarding right here.

Abstract of enjoyable issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding

As you see now, there are many wonderful issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding. From sledging (my private favorite) to chocolate tastings, each non-skier can discover one thing they take pleasure in doing. Even if you happen to don’t really feel like making an attempt mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly if you happen to haven’t skied earlier than), you may attempt traditional cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that may be very simple to study and approach much less injury-prone (and in addition less expensive to do). 

Disclaimer: we acquired free Swiss journey passes and day passes for Grindelwald First as a part of our collaboration with Go to Switzerland, however this text just isn’t sponsored, and all opinions are our personal! 

Listed here are another posts you may take pleasure in studying:

Weekend in Basel: Basel Christmas Markets overview

Austria & Germany in 7 days: from Vienna to Munich

4 days within the Bavarian Alps + Salzburg

Weekend in Zurich: issues to do when it rains