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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.
In case you’re new to this weblog, hello, we’re Liza and Jose, and we repeatedly spend lengthy weekends exploring totally different cities and areas of Europe whereas working full-time in London. A couple of occasions per 12 months, 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 complete, and you may see all of the locations we’ve coated on this weblog right here.
Do you have to 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 easy methods 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 undoubtedly 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 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 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 residence to the longest sledge run on the 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 mountain climbing (the lengthy, steep incline was a little bit of problem in the beginning, however the views have been nicely 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’d be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra incorrect! 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 buddies. So, if you happen to 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.
Tips on 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 heaps subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automobile. You may convey your individual sledge or lease 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 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 a ravishing 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 filled with eating places and outlets. Our best choice for consuming in Zermatt is The Cheese Manufacturing facility positioned on the Schweizerhof Lodge – not solely does this restaurant have a comfortable 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 Lodge, Mountain Paradise, BaseCamp Lodge
Take one of many panoramic trains
Switzerland is world-famous for its gorgeous panoramic trains. Nevertheless, not everybody is aware of that you could additionally take them in winter, and the views may be much more dramatic. Switzerland has top-of-the-line practice programs on the planet. Furthermore, some trains present actually unforgettable experiences – Glacier Specific, Bernina Specific, Pilatus Practice and lots of others. One of the best ways to discover Switzerland by practice is by shopping for the Swiss Go, which provides you free entry to a lot 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, if you happen to’re planning to take plenty of trains and take public transport inside cities, Swiss Go will present substantial financial savings. You should purchase it on-line right here.
Go to considered one of many nice Christmas Markets in Switzerland
In case you’re visiting Switzerland between the beginning of November and Christmas, you’ll 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 unquestionably considered one of my favorite cities in Switzerland, and it’s particularly magical throughout Christmas. You may be taught 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 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 outside swimming pools. There may be nothing higher than chilling in a scorching outside pool with gorgeous mountain views when there’s snow throughout you. The 2 spas that we’ve got visited and might undoubtedly suggest are Les Bains de Lavey (purchase tickets) and Zurich Hürlimann Unhealthy & 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 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.
After all, Switzerland has greater than 2 spas with outside swimming pools! These are simply the 2 we’ve got visited thus far (we are going to hopefully go to extra sooner or later).
Attempt cheese & go to a fort 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 at the start of the twelfth century! You may go to the manufacturing unit & 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 may be 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, you’ll find a shocking Gruyeres fort within the city. Gruyeres Fortress is among the most spectacular castles in Switzerland. It was constructed within the thirteenth century and has a formidable artwork assortment that you could see as a part of the tour.
Discover considered one of many chocolate factories
It feels so good to take pleasure 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 unit tour or do a correct chocolate tasting! There are two chocolate locations that undoubtedly stand out in Switzerland – Lindt Dwelling of Chocolate Museum in Zurich and Maison Cailler close to Lausanne. Be certain to ebook them upfront, because the excursions are likely to promote out!
Go ice skating
Among the best 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 may 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 lots of others!
Go to Glacier 3000
One other glorious location for winter enjoyable in Switzerland that’s not simply snowboarding is Glacier 3000. Dwelling to the one suspension bridge on the 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 really enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled journey.
And naturally, you will want 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 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 could be very totally different from mountain snowboarding. Initially, it doesn’t require in depth coaching (if you happen to’re planning to ski “operating fashion” or basic fashion, all you should do is transfer your legs ahead and again and use the poles in your arms to push your self ahead. Skate fashion is tougher (I might by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t strive very arduous) but additionally achievable. Skate-style cross nation means that you can go up and down small hills, whereas basic fashion is about snowboarding on a flat floor (which is far simpler).
Probably the most spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was really in Goms! The surroundings was incredible, and the monitor didn’t look too arduous! You may be taught extra about it and such a 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 get pleasure from 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 strive basic cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that could be very straightforward to be taught and manner 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 shouldn’t be sponsored, and all opinions are our personal!
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