The top things to do this winter in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the rewards of stepping back from the day-to-day are almost beyond belief, as you have some of the most stunning landscapes imaginable just a short journey away. That’s why it’s time to forget about the office for a weekend and get out into the mountains. It’s here that you’ll find out what Switzerland is really about and it’s here that you’ll be blown away, time after time, by numerous snow-tipped Alpine peaks, glaciers and lakes. Click through below to discover a world of winter activities.

Take advantage of the crisp weather and incredible views from the sun terraces of Switzerland's many Alpine restaurants and cafes this winter. Food ranges from traditional to avant garde while the vistas are all Michelin-star standard. 

Winter has always been a season to celebrate in Switzerland, thanks to all the stunning mountainside accommodation that really comes into its own at this time of year. Winter hideaways are perfect spots to get away from it all and hunker down in, but with so many incredible hotels to choose from, how do you find the one that's ideal for you? Click through below to find out some of our top picks from around the country.

Make your winter weekend breaks as fantastic as they can be by spending them at Tschuggen Grand Hotel or Valsana Hotel, both located in the gorgeous Alpine village of Arosa. What’s more, both offer a ton of superb experiences to enjoy during your stay, such as spending the day in the magnificent Bergoase Spa, dining on first-rate food in the hotel restaurants, grabbing a private ski lift directly to the slopes, keeping active through yoga and pilates, or even morning ice-bathing to show winter who’s boss.

Wondering where you can find a winter wonderland? Head straight to Gstaad, a beautiful region that looks its best in this frosty season and has lots to offer. There are winter sports galore (including varied skiing, from cross-country to ski-touring), relaxing hikes and family friendly activities, all framed by gorgeous scenery.

Winter always feels best when you’ve got a cosy base to enjoy it from, and that’s exactly what this marvellous hotel is. It’s packed full of rustic Swiss charm and top-notch facilities, and you’ll also have the glorious Appenzell countryside to roam through, which begins literally as you step out of the hotel.

Taking advantage of Switzerland's incredible mountain scenery is a must for those willing to scale the epic Alpine peaks, as well as more casual explorers. In fact, Swiss passion for mountain engineering has resulted in some outstanding attractions, such as Europe's highest train station, Europe's longest tobogganing track, and the world's first Cresta Run. Click through below to check out all kinds of high-altitude revelry. 

Geneva’s proximity to various Swiss and French ski resorts (such as Saint-Cergue and Chamonix) means it’s entirely possible to head off for a day’s skiing and be back in town by the evening. If skiing’s not your thing, the mountainous landscape is also wonderful for winter hiking, ice skating on frozen lakes and other delightful winter larks.

One of the prettiest and best preserved in Switzerland, Bern’s Old Town is understandably UNESCO-protected, and is a delightful place to spend a winter’s day or evening – or both. The medieval cobbled streets, ornate fountains and arched walkways are a photographer’s dream and there are plenty of stops along the way to fuel your journey with warming food and drink.

With a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks, Bergrestaurant Spielboden is a mountain restaurant in-tune with its surroundings. It’s set 2,450 metres above sea level and overlooks both the beautiful village Saas-Fee and a basin of 4,000-metre summits. In winter, it becomes truly wonderland-esque, deep in snow and full of welcoming atmosphere.

‘Zurich’s mountain’ offers fantastic views across the city at any time of year, and there’s nothing quite like a crisp winter jaunt to the top. Once you’re at the summit there are various hiking trials to pick-up, and some of the steeper ones are even turned into sledding runs, meaning you can hurtle down them on your preferred mode of winter transport.

Lausanne’s lakefront district is the city’s playground, even in winter months. It’s where people come to while away a Sunday afternoon by strolling along the shore of Lake Geneva or simply enjoy some quality people-watching from a bench (wrap up warm first!) or one of the many cosy cafes and bars nearby.

Roam around Zurich Airport’s newly opened nature park this winter, covering an impressive 80,000m². Soak up superb views of all that lovely nature from the park’s ‘sky platform’, installed at its highest point and reachable via a funicular. You can even book a detailed guided tour of the park to meet some of its inhabitants.

We’ll let you in on a secret: Christmas shopping can be fun if you do it properly. Find out for yourself at Zurich Airport, where you’ll find the Circle, an immense new retail and leisure complex that boasts all the shops you’ll need to own festive gift-buying this year, plus great restaurants and bars for when you need to relax.  

Explore the network of winter trails (measuring around 140 kilometres) which run around the picturesque winter-sports resort of Arosa Lenzerheide, where you can take a slow stroll or a long hike amidst the magnificent winter landscape.

During the winter months, Dolder Sports hosts one of Europe’s largest open-air ice rinks. It’s a popular spot for Zurich locals and visitors alike, and offers a great escape in the weeks before Christmas.

One of the oldest Swiss ski resorts is also one of the most glamorous. St Moritz really comes alive in winter and is obviously great for winter sports – skiing, of course, but also tobogganing, curling, ice skating and much more. But crucially, it’s also a great place to just stroll around and soak up the atmosphere on a frosty winter day.

St-Luc’s picturesque location on the sunny side of Val d’Anniviers (Eifischtal) means there are plenty of daylight hours to enjoy the 6km-long planet trail walk that rises from 2,141 to 2,513 meters above sea level and is open year-round.

This Medieval village is pretty in sunny seasons, but come winter it looks absolutely magical thanks to the brilliantly wild scenery surrounding it. The main attraction in Einsiedeln itself is a famous and highly impressive abbey, the origins of which date back over a thousand years. Beyond the abbey you’ll find a charming cobblestone old town with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants to explore.