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Saturday, July 6, 2024

Enjoyable Issues To Do in Switzerland in Winter That Are Not Snowboarding 🎿


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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 let you know all about them on this article. 

When you’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 couple of instances per 12 months, we additionally take longer journeys exterior Europe and, after all, doc all our itineraries on this weblog. We’ve travelled to over 100 counties in complete, and you’ll see all of the locations we’ve coated on this weblog right here.

Do you have to go to Switzerland in winter should 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 methods to ski correctly, snowboarding on actual slopes will be intimidating. I’ve solely accomplished snowboarding a few instances earlier than, and so did Jose, so we have been positively not prepared for the slopes of Zermatt or Grindelwald but. However there’s extra – not everybody loves snowboarding or snowboarding. Each are excessive sports activities, and many 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 through 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, nonetheless 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 have been tobogganing in December), so as an alternative, we did two totally different routes – the one over Wildspitz that included a little bit of mountaineering (the lengthy, steep incline was a little bit of problem initially, however the views have been properly value 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 below the impression that it was a household exercise and we might be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra mistaken! Some segments of the run have been really fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few youngsters on the sledge run! Most individuals have been {couples} like us or teams of mates. So, should 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.

get there?

To get to the sledge run, you possibly can both take a prepare to Grindelwald or drive there after which choose one of many parking tons subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automobile. You may convey your personal sledge or lease one in Grindelwald – essentially the most handy rental is situated up Grindelwald First – there’s an enormous Intersport that rents sledges for 18 Swiss Franks per particular person and you’ll return them both in Bort or under in Grindelwald. You additionally must buy a day cross 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 an attractive 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 unit situated on the Schweizerhof Resort – not solely does this restaurant have a comfortable 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 beautiful panoramic trains. Nevertheless, not everybody is aware of that you would be able to additionally take them in winter, and the views will be much more dramatic. Switzerland has among the best prepare techniques on this planet. Furthermore, some trains present really unforgettable experiences – Glacier Specific, Bernina Specific, Pilatus Practice and plenty of others. One of the best ways to discover Switzerland by prepare is by shopping for the Swiss Go, which provides you free entry to plenty of 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, should you’re planning to take loads of trains and take public transport inside cities, Swiss Go will present substantial financial savings. You should buy it on-line right here.

Go to one in all many nice Christmas Markets in Switzerland

When you’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 unquestionably 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, after all, the capital, Zurich, Lausanne and Lucerne. 

Go to an out of doors thermal spa 

One in all our favorite issues to do in winter is go to thermal spas or thermes, particularly if they’ve outside swimming pools. There may be nothing higher than chilling in a sizzling outside pool with beautiful mountain views when there’s snow throughout you. The 2 spas that we have now visited and might positively suggest 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 outside), saunas, hammams and rest areas. The second is situated within the coronary heart of Zurich and has a number of flooring, together with an out of doors 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 have now visited to date (we are going to hopefully go to extra sooner or later). 

Attempt cheese & go to a citadel in Gruyere 

Swiss are very happy with their cheese, and among the best (and most well-known) cheeses in Gruyere is known as 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 let you know extra concerning the historical past of the well-known cheese. There may be additionally a pleasant restaurant the place you possibly can eat a hearty fondue in case you don’t really feel like taking a tour.

Moreover La Maison du Gruyère, you’ll find a surprising Gruyeres citadel within the city. Gruyeres Fort is among the most spectacular castles in Switzerland. It was constructed within the thirteenth century and has a powerful artwork assortment that you would be able to 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 House of Chocolate Museum in Zurich and Maison Cailler close to Lausanne. Ensure that to ebook them prematurely, because the excursions are likely to promote out! 

Go ice skating

Among the finest 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. House 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 degree – in a panoramic cable automobile, in order that’s already an exercise by itself.  

To purchase a day cross, 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 could be very totally different from mountain snowboarding. Initially, it doesn’t require in depth coaching (should you’re planning to ski “working model” or basic model, all it is advisable do is transfer your legs ahead and again and use the poles in your fingers to push your self ahead. Skate model is tougher (I might by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t attempt very onerous) but in addition 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 way 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 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 should you don’t really feel like attempting mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly should you haven’t skied earlier than), you possibly can attempt basic cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that could be very straightforward to study and means much less injury-prone (and in addition 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! 

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

Weekend in Basel: Basel Christmas Markets assessment

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

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