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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.
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. A number of instances per yr, we additionally take longer journeys outdoors Europe and, in fact, 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 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 trustworthy – except you’ve been occurring yearly ski journeys since childhood or spent weeks studying easy methods to ski correctly, snowboarding on actual slopes will be intimidating. I’ve solely accomplished snowboarding a few instances earlier than, and so did Jose, so we had 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 throughout 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 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 had 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 at the beginning, however the views had been properly 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 underneath the impression that it was a household exercise and we’d be the one couple there. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be extra mistaken! Some segments of the run had been truly fairly difficult, and we’ve seen only a few youngsters on the sledge run! Most individuals had been {couples} like us or teams of pals. So, should you 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.
How one can 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 tons subsequent to Grindelwald First cable automotive. You may deliver your personal sledge or lease one in Grindelwald – essentially the most handy rental is situated up Grindelwald First – there’s an enormous Intersport that rents sledges for 18 Swiss Franks per individual and you may return them both in Bort or under in Grindelwald. You additionally must buy a day go for the cable automotive 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 wonderful 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 outlets. Our best choice for consuming in Zermatt is The Cheese Manufacturing unit situated on the Schweizerhof Lodge – not solely does this restaurant have a comfortable inside, however the fondues there are the most effective 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 gorgeous panoramic trains. Nevertheless, not everybody is aware of which you could additionally take them in winter, and the views will be much more dramatic. Switzerland has top-of-the-line practice programs on this planet. Furthermore, some trains present really unforgettable experiences – Glacier Categorical, Bernina Categorical, Pilatus Prepare and lots of others. One of the simplest ways to discover Switzerland by practice is by shopping for the Swiss Go, which provides you free entry to plenty of panoramic trains and 50% off for the remainder of the trains. It additionally provides you free entry to a lot 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 Go will present substantial financial savings. You should purchase it on-line right here.
Go to one among many nice Christmas Markets in Switzerland
For those who’re visiting Switzerland between the beginning of November and Christmas, you should have a chance to go to a few of Switzerland’s greatest 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 the most effective issues to do in Basel on this article on our weblog.
Another cities which have nice Christmas Markets embody, 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 outside swimming pools. There’s nothing higher than chilling in a scorching outside pool with gorgeous mountain views when there may be snow throughout you. The 2 spas that we have now visited and might positively 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 outside), saunas, hammams and rest areas. The second is situated 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 have now visited thus far (we are going to hopefully go to extra sooner or later).
Attempt cheese & go to a fortress in Gruyere
Swiss are very happy with their cheese, and top-of-the-line (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 inform you extra in regards to 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.
Moreover La Maison du Gruyère, you will discover a shocking Gruyeres fortress within the city. Gruyeres Fort is among the most spectacular castles in Switzerland. It was constructed within the thirteenth century and has a powerful artwork assortment which you could see as a part of the tour.
Discover one among 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 unit 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 upfront, because the excursions are likely to promote out!
Go ice skating
Probably the greatest issues to do in Switzerland in winter in addition to snowboarding is definitely… ice skating! A few of the greatest ice skating rinks in Switzerland are the pure ones. You may skate on loads of frozen pure lakes throughout Switzerland. A few of the greatest pure rinks embody 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. 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 can even go on a hike (sure, it’s truly enjoyable to hike in winter) and even a dogsled experience.
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 go, 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 completely different from mountain snowboarding. To begin with, it doesn’t require intensive coaching (should you’re planning to ski “working fashion” or traditional fashion, all you could 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 might by no means grasp it, however then once more, I didn’t attempt very exhausting) but in addition achievable. Skate-style cross nation permits you to go up and down small hills, whereas traditional fashion is about snowboarding on a flat floor (which is far simpler).
Probably the most spectacular cross-country tracks that I’ve seen was truly in Goms! The surroundings was implausible, and the observe didn’t look too exhausting! You may be taught extra about it and one of these 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 should you don’t really feel like attempting mountain snowboarding in Switzerland (particularly should you haven’t skied earlier than), you may attempt traditional cross-country snowboarding on a flat floor that could be very straightforward to be taught and method much less injury-prone (and in addition 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 just isn’t sponsored, and all opinions are our personal!
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