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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 let you know all about them on this article.
For those who’re new to this weblog, hello, we’re Liza and Jose, and we commonly spend lengthy weekends exploring completely different cities and areas of Europe whereas working full-time in London. Just a few instances 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 whole, 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 should you don’t ski?
Snowboarding is enjoyable, however let’s be sincere – until 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 instances earlier than, and so did Jose, so we have been undoubtedly 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 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, 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 house 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 in the beginning, however the views have been effectively 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 unsuitable! 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 pals. 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.
Find out how to 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 heaps subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automotive. You may convey your personal sledge or hire one in Grindelwald – probably 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 automotive 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 lovely 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 Resort – not solely does this restaurant have a comfy inside, however the fondues there are the perfect 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 which you could additionally take them in winter, and the views may be much more dramatic. Switzerland has among the finest practice methods on the earth. Furthermore, some trains present really unforgettable experiences – Glacier Specific, Bernina Specific, Pilatus Prepare and lots of others. The easiest way to discover Switzerland by practice is by shopping for the Swiss Cross, which provides 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, should you’re planning to take quite a 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 every of many nice Christmas Markets in Switzerland
For those who’re visiting Switzerland between the beginning of November and Christmas, you’ll have a possibility 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 every of my favorite cities in Switzerland, and it’s particularly magical throughout Christmas. You may be taught extra about Basel Christmas Markets and the perfect 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 outside thermal spa
One in all our favorite issues to do in winter is go to thermal spas or thermes, particularly if they’ve out of doors swimming pools. There may be 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 we have now 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 completely 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 outside terrace swimming pool with gorgeous panoramic views.
After all, Switzerland has greater than 2 spas with out of doors swimming pools! These are simply the 2 we have now visited to this point (we’ll hopefully go to extra sooner or later).
Strive cheese & go to a fort in Gruyere
Swiss are very pleased with their cheese, and among the finest (and most well-known) cheeses in Gruyere is known as after the Gruyeres city. Gruyere cheese is historical – 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 can let you know extra concerning the historical past of the well-known cheese. There may be 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 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 which you could see as a part of the tour.
Discover one in every of 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 undoubtedly stand out in Switzerland – Lindt House of Chocolate Museum in Zurich and Maison Cailler close to Lausanne. Be certain to ebook them prematurely, because the excursions are inclined to promote out!
Go ice skating
Among the best issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding is definitely… ice skating! Among the greatest ice skating rinks in Switzerland are the pure ones. You may skate on loads of frozen pure lakes throughout Switzerland. Among the greatest 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 isn’t simply snowboarding is Glacier 3000. House 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, it’s also possible to go on a hike (sure, it’s really enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled trip.
And naturally, you will want to go all the way in which as much as 3000m above the ocean stage – in a panoramic cable automotive, 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 completely different from mountain snowboarding. To begin with, it doesn’t require in depth coaching (should you’re planning to ski “working fashion” or traditional fashion, all you have to do is transfer your legs ahead and again and use the poles in your arms to push your self ahead. Skate fashion is more durable (I may by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t attempt very arduous) but additionally achievable. Skate-style cross nation lets you go up and down small hills, whereas traditional fashion is about snowboarding on a flat floor (which is way simpler).
One of the spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was really in Goms! The surroundings was implausible, and the monitor didn’t look too arduous! You may be taught extra about it and this sort 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 get pleasure from doing. Even should you don’t really feel like attempting mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly should you haven’t skied earlier than), you’ll be able to attempt traditional cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that may be very simple to be taught and approach 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 shouldn’t be sponsored, and all opinions are our personal!
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