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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 completely different cities and areas of Europe whereas working full-time in London. A couple of occasions per yr, we additionally take longer journeys outdoors Europe and, after all, 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.
Do you have to go to Switzerland in winter in the event you don’t ski?
Snowboarding is enjoyable, however let’s be sincere – except you’ve been happening yearly ski journeys since childhood or spent weeks studying the way to ski correctly, snowboarding on actual slopes may be intimidating. I’ve solely finished snowboarding a few occasions earlier than, and so did Jose, so we have 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 persons are simply not into them. Does that imply that individuals 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 in the course of 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 residence to the longest sledge run on the earth – 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 have been tobogganing in December), so as an alternative, we did two completely different routes – the one over Wildspitz that included a little bit of climbing (the lengthy, steep incline was a little bit of problem at the beginning, however the views have 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 underneath the impression that it was a household exercise and we’d be the one couple there. Nonetheless, I couldn’t be extra improper! Some segments of the run have been really fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few children on the sledge run! Most individuals have been {couples} like us or teams of buddies. So, in the event you have 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.
How one can get there?
To get to the sledge run, you’ll be able to both take a practice to Grindelwald or drive there after which decide one of many parking tons subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automobile. You possibly can deliver your individual sledge or hire one in Grindelwald – essentially the most handy rental is situated 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 under 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 good looking 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 road stuffed with eating places and retailers. Our best choice for consuming in Zermatt is The Cheese Manufacturing facility situated on the Schweizerhof Resort – not solely does this restaurant have a comfy inside, however the fondues there are the very best 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 beautiful panoramic trains. Nonetheless, not everybody is aware of that you may additionally take them in winter, and the views may be much more dramatic. Switzerland has probably the greatest practice methods on the earth. Furthermore, some trains present actually unforgettable experiences – Glacier Specific, Bernina Specific, Pilatus Prepare and plenty of others. The easiest way 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 provides you free entry to many of the museums in Switzerland! Whereas it’s not low cost, in the event you’re planning to take a whole lot of trains and take public transport inside cities, Swiss Cross will present substantial financial savings. You should buy 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 should have a chance to go to a few of Switzerland’s finest Christmas markets. My private favorite is the Christmas market in Basel. Basel is unquestionably one in all my favorite cities in Switzerland, and it’s particularly magical throughout Christmas. You possibly can study extra about Basel Christmas Markets and the very best issues to do in Basel on this article on our weblog.
Another cities which have nice Christmas Markets embrace, after all, the capital, Zurich, Lausanne and Lucerne.
Go to an outside thermal spa
One among our favorite issues to do in winter is go to thermal spas or thermes, particularly if they’ve outside swimming pools. There’s nothing higher than chilling in a scorching outside pool with beautiful mountain views when there may be snow throughout you. The 2 spas that we now 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 completely different swimming pools (indoor and outside), saunas, hammams and leisure areas. The second is situated within the coronary heart of Zurich and has a number of flooring, together with an outside terrace swimming pool with beautiful panoramic views.
After all, Switzerland has greater than 2 spas with outside swimming pools! These are simply the 2 we now have visited to date (we are going to hopefully go to extra sooner or later).
Attempt cheese & go to a fortress in Gruyere
Swiss are very pleased with their cheese, and probably the greatest (and most well-known) cheeses in Gruyere is known as after the Gruyeres city. Gruyere cheese is historical – its manufacturing began firstly of the twelfth century! You possibly can go to the manufacturing facility & cheese store – La Maison du Gruyère, and go on a tour that may inform you extra in regards to the historical past of the well-known cheese. There’s additionally a pleasant restaurant the place you’ll be able to eat a hearty fondue in case you don’t really feel like taking a tour.
Moreover La Maison du Gruyère, you will discover a surprising Gruyeres fortress within the city. Gruyeres Citadel is likely one of the most spectacular castles in Switzerland. It was constructed within the thirteenth century and has a powerful artwork assortment that you may see as a part of the tour.
Discover one in all many chocolate factories
It feels so good to bask in a bit (or perhaps even a bit greater than a bit) 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 Dwelling of Chocolate Museum in Zurich and Maison Cailler close to Lausanne. Make certain to guide them upfront, because the excursions are inclined to promote out!
Go ice skating
The most effective issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding is definitely… ice skating! A number of the finest ice skating rinks in Switzerland are the pure ones. You possibly can skate on loads of frozen pure lakes throughout Switzerland. A number of the finest pure rinks embrace Lac de Joux, Alp Raguta in Feldis, Öschinensee in Kandersteg and plenty of others!
Go to Glacier 3000
One other wonderful location for winter enjoyable in Switzerland that’s not simply snowboarding is Glacier 3000. Dwelling to the one suspension bridge on the earth that connects two mountain peaks, Glacier 3000 is a must-visit attraction for breathtaking views! Moreover strolling round and having fun with the views, you may also go on a hike (sure, it’s really enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled experience.
And naturally, you will have to go all the way in which as much as 3000m above the ocean degree – 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 completely different from mountain snowboarding. Initially, it doesn’t require intensive coaching (in the event you’re planning to ski “working model” or basic model, all that you must do is transfer your legs ahead and again and use the poles in your fingers to push your self ahead. Skate model is more durable (I may by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t strive very exhausting) but additionally achievable. Skate-style cross nation lets you go up and down small hills, whereas basic model is about snowboarding on a flat floor (which is far simpler).
One of the crucial spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was really in Goms! The surroundings was improbable, and the observe didn’t look too exhausting! You possibly can study extra about it and any such 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 in the event you don’t really feel like making an attempt mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly in the event you haven’t skied earlier than), you’ll be able to strive basic cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that may be very simple to study and method much less injury-prone (and likewise less expensive to do).
Disclaimer: we obtained free Swiss journey passes and day passes for Grindelwald First as a part of our collaboration with Go to Switzerland, however this text isn’t sponsored, and all opinions are our personal!
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