Top 10 Winter Activities in Switzerland (that Aren’t Skiing)

This is a question I have heard from my clients many times. Switzerland boasts incredible winter scenery, with towering snow-peaked mountains and white-blanketed vistas, perfect for those who love to ski. But for those who don’t, there are so many other incredible things to do during the winter.

1. Take a scenic train journey

While this list goes in no particular order of importance, I will admit that taking a scenic train is first on the list for a reason. Switzerland boasts an incredible public transportation system that is highly expansive across the country. But aside from the already scenic commuter trains, they offer a couple of special, scenic rail journeys with panoramic windows to truly take in the spectacular scenery around you. Some are only a few hours long and can be experienced as a day trip from one location, and others can be used as a special way to get from point A to point B.

The two most notable are the Glacier Express and Bernini Express. The Glacier Express – Switzerland’s most famous – connects the mountain resort towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz along eight blissful hours of incredible panoramas. It is the slowest express train in the world, allowing you snap pictures and take it all in. If you can’t commit to the whole journey, you can take a shorter journey as it makes stops along the way, allowing you to embark or disembark wherever you choose. When taking the full journey, you will cross over 291 bridges, pass through 91 tunnels, and sweep over the mesmerizing Oberalp Pass. The Bernini Express on the other hand, connects Chur and St. Moritz in Switzerland with Tirano, Italy. This journey can also be a roundtrip day tour, or utilized as a way to travel between Switzerland and Italy.

2. Enjoy a culinary experience

Switzerland is synonymous with chocolate and cheese. Spend some time tucking in to local cheese and chocolate shops to see what is on offer, or even visit a factory to learn more about the trade and how each item is made. A personal, local favorite of mine is a quaint boutique shop in Lucerne – Max Chocolatier – where they have perfected their craft and every piece of chocolate is handmade. We can even arrange a private tasting or a chocolate-making workshop for you to get the full Swiss experience.

Plus, from Michelin Star restaurants and funky eateries to markets and street food, any foodie is presented with plenty of options to taste their way around the country’s culinary scene. Not to mention, you don’t need to ski to enjoy an après ski!

3. Take a workshop

Swiss craftsmanship has an international reputation for quality. From sturdy Swiss Army Knives to reliable Swiss watches, manufacturers and consumers agree that products from Switzerland are beyond compare. We can arrange for you to learn how to make your own watch or Swiss Army Knife in a local workshop conducted by a local master of the craft, and you’ll even get to take your piece home with you. This one ties in with number two as well, as you can learn to craft your own Swiss chocolate truffles or learn how to make the perfect Swiss cheese fondue.

4. Mountain tops, mountain tops, mountain tops

Who says you need to ski down the mountain after you get to the top? Many of Switzerland’s most famous peaks are geared around exploring on foot. One can spend a whole day exploring Jungfraujoch, “the Top of Europe,” from Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen. Then there’s Mount Pilatus and Mount Titlis outside of Lucerne, or the Matterhorn and the Gornergrat from Zermatt. The options are endless. Aside from expansive views and a winter wonderland of snow, these mountains offer amenities like museums, restaurants, and shops to keep you warm, fed, and busy.

Insider’s tip: Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and sunglasses. Yes, even in the winter! The sun’s rays are even more intense in the high altitude of the mountains and seem much brighter when reflected off of the surrounding snow.

5. Take to the snow

Unsurprisingly, Switzerland has many activities geared to snow lovers. If you love to spend time out in the fresh air and nature, consider snowshoeing, sledding, or tobogganing. There are family-friendly tobogganing hills, and there are also extreme routes down the mountainside for those looking for a thrill, even in the dark of the night. But my favorite winter experience in Switzerland is dogsledding. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for most, you can learn how to lead a team of sled dogs yourself while taking in the views of the Swiss alps.

6. Take to the water

You may be surprised to hear that not all lakes in Switzerland freeze during the winter. Take to the waters of Lake Brienz outside of Interlaken by kayak, a relaxing ferry, or an exhilarating jet boat ride. The winter months offer some of the most breathtaking views from the water as you are surrounded by snow-covered mountains and their pristine reflections on the mirror-like water. Dry suits and special clothing are provided for you with these experiences, so you don’t need to worry about a thing, except to sit back and take it all in.

7. Take to the air

There is nothing quite like taking in Switzerland from a bird’s eye view. If a fear of heights doesn’t keep you locked to the ground, consider paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving, or a helicopter ride. Interlaken is well known as the perfect adventure base for all things gliding and diving, and nothing can compare to getting up close and personal with the iconic Matterhorn Mountain in Zermatt by helicopter.

8. Visit a castle

There are over 500 castles and castle ruins to be discovered in Switzerland. Whether your travels take you to lakeshore cities or quaint villages high in the Alps, you’ll find a picturesque castle nearby waiting to be explored. Consider a trip to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva to visit Château de Chillon, or the trio of the Bellinzona Castle’s settled outside of Lugano.

Fun fact: Prince Eric’s castle in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” was inspired by Château de Chillon!

9. Experience the local culture, shops, and museums

One of my favorite things to do when traveling to any country is to spend a day or two living as if I were a local. Sip a latte at a coffeeshop and people watch. Stroll from boutique to boutique and do some window shopping. Read a book on a park bench. Spend a couple of hours at a museum. Dine where the locals do, not just the touristic restaurants or fast food. It’s these experiences that give you an idea of what day to day life looks like for the locals.

10. Relax at a spa, thermal bath, or wellness hotel

A real treat at any time of the year, but especially in the cold winter, enjoy the spectacular wellness hotels, spas, and thermal baths. Switzerland often tops quality-of-life surveys thanks to the country's emphasis on wellness and health, so it is no surprise that the wellness culture runs deep here. With healing waters, pools with a view, activity programs, beauty treatments with Swiss luxury brands, mind and body exercises to slow the pace of life, and the finest health and super foods, you’ll find everything you need to rediscover yourself.

In short, there are plenty of reasons why a trip to Switzerland in the winter is worth your while. I’m confident that, at some point, you’d need to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming – I still do on every trip! It really is a wonderland full of opportunities waiting to be discovered, and I look forward to planning your customized journey for you.