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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 usually spend lengthy weekends exploring totally different cities and areas of Europe whereas working full-time in London. A couple of instances per yr, 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 coated on this weblog right here.
Do you have to go to Switzerland in winter for those who 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 how one can ski correctly, snowboarding on actual slopes could be intimidating. I’ve solely carried out snowboarding a few instances earlier than, and so did Jose, so we had 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 many 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 truly 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 had been tobogganing in December), so as an alternative, we did two totally different routes – the one over Wildspitz that included a little bit of climbing (the lengthy, steep incline was a little bit of problem initially, however the views had 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 might be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra unsuitable! Some segments of the run had been truly fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few children on the sledge run! Most individuals had been {couples} like us or teams of buddies. So, for those who had 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 prepare to Grindelwald or drive there after which decide one of many parking heaps subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automobile. You may convey your individual sledge or hire 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 individual and you’ll return them both in Bort or under in Grindelwald. You additionally must buy a day move 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 phenomenal city that’s particularly magical in winter. In addition to 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 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 & Life-style 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 can additionally take them in winter, and the views could be much more dramatic. Switzerland has the most effective prepare methods on this planet. Furthermore, some trains present actually unforgettable experiences – Glacier Categorical, Bernina Categorical, Pilatus Practice and plenty of others. The easiest way to discover Switzerland by prepare is by shopping for the Swiss Go, which supplies you free entry to numerous 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, for those who’re planning to take numerous 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 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 chance to go to a few of Switzerland’s finest Christmas markets. My private favorite is the Christmas market in Basel. Basel is certainly 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 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 out of doors swimming pools. There’s 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 now have visited and may undoubtedly 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 leisure 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 out of doors swimming pools! These are simply the 2 we now have visited up to now (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 the most effective (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 may go to the manufacturing unit & 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’s additionally a pleasant restaurant the place you may eat a hearty fondue in case you don’t really feel like taking a tour.
In addition to La Maison du Gruyère, you will discover a surprising Gruyeres fort 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 which you can see as a part of the tour.
Discover one in every of 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 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. Ensure that to e-book them upfront, because the excursions are likely to promote out!
Go ice skating
Probably the greatest issues to do in Switzerland in winter apart from snowboarding is definitely… ice skating! Among the finest ice skating rinks in Switzerland are the pure ones. You may skate on loads of frozen pure lakes throughout Switzerland. Among 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 glorious location for winter enjoyable in Switzerland that’s not simply snowboarding is Glacier 3000. Dwelling to the one suspension bridge on this planet that connects two mountain peaks, Glacier 3000 is a must-visit attraction for breathtaking views! In addition to strolling round and having fun with the views, you can too go on a hike (sure, it’s truly enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled journey.
And naturally, you will have to go all the best way 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. To start with, it doesn’t require intensive coaching (for those who’re planning to ski “operating fashion” or traditional fashion, all it is advisable to do is transfer your legs ahead and again and use the poles in your palms to push your self ahead. Skate fashion is tougher (I may by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t strive very arduous) but in addition 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 crucial spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was truly in Goms! The surroundings was implausible, and the observe 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 apart from snowboarding
As you see now, there are many wonderful issues to do in Switzerland in winter apart from snowboarding. From sledging (my private favorite) to chocolate tastings, each non-skier can discover one thing they get pleasure from doing. Even for those who don’t really feel like attempting mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly for those who haven’t skied earlier than), you may strive traditional cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that may be very straightforward to be taught and manner 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 will not be sponsored, and all opinions are our personal!
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