Winter holidays in Switzerland

You can enjoy a week in an alpine village and enjoy all the typical ski holiday benefits - the cosy bars, leisurely lunches on the mountainside and of course the incomparable views - without going near a pair of skis. There's also plenty of other activities to try, from sledging to walking to simply unwinding in a spa. 

Click here to see the range of mountain hotels on offer during the winter. 

You could also holiday down by the lakes and find a whole wealth of activities and excursions close at hand. The boat services operate through the winter (albeit with a less frequent service), you can travel up into the mountains for a day, and there are museums, galleries, shops and restaurants aplenty. 

Find lakeside resorts with winter availability here: Interlaken, Lucerne, Montreux, Locarno

Imagine a scenic rail journey meandering across a winter landscape covered in pristine snow with a backdrop of a clear blue sky. The change of scenery is quite dramatic and is highly recommended even if you are familiar with the Glacier Express, Bernina Express or GoldenPass Line routes during the summer.

In winter, there are specially cleared walking trails in many resorts, with pink signage to keep you on the right track. It is a joy to breathe in the pure mountain air and admire the scenery. There are often specially priced walkers' lift passes available so you may explore the mountains trails and welcoming restaurants to your heart's content.

Most mountain resorts offer the opportunity for tobogganing, which can be great fun for all the family. There are designated toboggan runs and even some torchlit ones for an atmospheric ride down the mountain in the evening. Sledges are available for hire in ski shops and some hotels, and you can also purchase day passes for the lifts. 

Many resorts have a traditional Christmas market, where you can shop for special gifts and handicrafts. Soak up the magical atmosphere of the market places with their charming wooden stalls and savour the delicious warm snacks and mulled wine. To complete the idyllic picture, there is often a festive brass band.

The most famous sights are available to admire all year round. You can travel up to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe and see the amazing Aletsch Glacier or try Mount Rigi or Pilatus. Boats continue to operate in the winter on the larger lakes for a leisurely scenic cruise. You may also like to book a scenic journey experience such as the charming Cheese Train, in the Lake Geneva region. 

Switzerland is of course famed for its wellness centres and has long been a destination for rest and recuperation. We can help you to choose a resort with a good spa, or recommend a hotel with its own spa and wellness facilities. There are some fabulous examples of spa 'quiet rooms' with loungers overlooking stunning winter scenery.