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Planning a visit to Switzerland in winter however unsure 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.
If you happen to’re new to this weblog, hello, we’re Liza and Jose, and we usually spend lengthy weekends exploring totally different cities and areas of Europe whereas working full-time in London. A number of occasions per 12 months, 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 complete, and you’ll see all of the locations we’ve lined on this weblog right here.
Do you have to go to Switzerland in winter in case you don’t ski?
Snowboarding is enjoyable, however let’s be trustworthy – except you’ve been happening yearly ski journeys since childhood or spent weeks studying the best way to ski correctly, snowboarding on actual slopes may be intimidating. I’ve solely executed 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 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, nevertheless you name it). On our final journey to Switzerland, we truly teamed up with Grindelwald First and tried sledging in Switzerland for the primary time. Grindelwald is residence 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 at the beginning, however the views have been properly 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 below the impression that it was a household exercise and we might be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra unsuitable! Some segments of the run have been truly fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few youngsters on the sledge run! Most individuals have been {couples} like us or teams of pals. So, in case 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.
Learn how to get there?
To get to the sledge run, you’ll be able to both take a prepare to Grindelwald or drive there after which choose one of many parking heaps subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automobile. You may deliver your individual sledge or hire one in Grindelwald – essentially the most handy rental is positioned 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 beneath in Grindelwald. You additionally must buy a day move for the cable automobile on-line right here.
The place to remain in Grindelwald:
Lodge Bernerhof, Lodge Spinne, Lodge 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 avenue filled with eating places and retailers. Our best choice for consuming in Zermatt is The Cheese Manufacturing unit positioned on the Schweizerhof Lodge – not solely does this restaurant have a comfy inside, however the fondues there are one of the best ones we’ve tried in Switzerland.
The place to remain in Zermatt:
Carina Design & Life-style Lodge, Mountain Paradise, BaseCamp Lodge
Take one of many panoramic trains
Switzerland is world-famous for its beautiful panoramic trains. Nevertheless, not everybody is aware of which you can additionally take them in winter, and the views may be much more dramatic. Switzerland has top-of-the-line prepare techniques on this planet. Furthermore, some trains present really unforgettable experiences – Glacier Specific, Bernina Specific, Pilatus Practice and lots of others. One of the simplest ways to discover Switzerland by prepare is by shopping for the Swiss Move, which supplies you free entry to a number of panoramic trains and 50% off for the remainder of the trains. It additionally offers you free entry to many of the museums in Switzerland! Whereas it’s not low-cost, in case you’re planning to take lots of trains and take public transport inside cities, Swiss Move will present substantial financial savings. You should purchase it on-line right here.
Go to one among many nice Christmas Markets in Switzerland
If you happen to’re visiting Switzerland between the beginning of November and Christmas, you should have a possibility to go to a few of Switzerland’s finest Christmas markets. My private favorite is the Christmas market in Basel. Basel is certainly one among my favorite cities in Switzerland, and it’s particularly magical throughout Christmas. You may be taught extra about Basel Christmas Markets and one of the best issues to do in Basel on this article on our weblog.
Another cities which have nice Christmas Markets embrace, in fact, the capital, Zurich, Lausanne and Lucerne.
Go to an out of doors thermal spa
Certainly one of 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 sizzling out of doors pool with beautiful mountain views when there may be snow throughout you. The 2 spas that we’ve 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 beautiful panoramic views.
After all, Switzerland has greater than 2 spas with out of doors swimming pools! These are simply the 2 we’ve 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 top-of-the-line (and most well-known) cheeses in Gruyere is called after the Gruyeres city. Gruyere cheese is historic – its manufacturing began firstly of the twelfth century! You may go to the manufacturing facility & cheese store – La Maison du Gruyère, and go on a tour that can 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, yow will discover a surprising Gruyeres fortress within the city. Gruyeres Citadel is without doubt one of the most spectacular castles in Switzerland. It was constructed within the thirteenth century and has a formidable artwork assortment which you can see as a part of the tour.
Discover one among many chocolate factories
It feels so good to bask in a bit (or possibly 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 House of Chocolate Museum in Zurich and Maison Cailler close to Lausanne. Make certain to guide them prematurely, 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 few of the finest ice skating rinks in Switzerland are the pure ones. You may skate on loads of frozen pure lakes throughout Switzerland. A few of the finest pure rinks embrace Lac de Joux, Alp Raguta in Feldis, Öschinensee in Kandersteg and lots of others!
Go to Glacier 3000
One other wonderful 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, you may as well go on a hike (sure, it’s truly enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled trip.
And naturally, you have to 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 move, 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. Initially, it doesn’t require intensive coaching (in case you’re planning to ski “working fashion” or basic fashion, 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 fashion is more durable (I may by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t strive very onerous) but in addition achievable. Skate-style cross nation lets you go up and down small hills, whereas basic fashion is about snowboarding on a flat floor (which is way simpler).
One of the crucial spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was truly in Goms! The surroundings was incredible, and the monitor didn’t look too onerous! You may be taught extra about it and this kind of snowboarding right here.
Abstract of enjoyable issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding
As you see now, there are many superb 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 case you don’t really feel like attempting mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly in case you haven’t skied earlier than), you’ll be able to strive basic cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that may be very straightforward to be taught and method much less injury-prone (and likewise 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 isn’t sponsored, and all opinions are our personal!
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