10 Must-do Switzerland Winter Activities
Switzerland in the winter is a magical place, and for many, it’s a favourite time to visit. December in Switzerland is full of the magic of Christmas, with festive markets held in many towns and fairy lights illuminating the night skies.
After the New Year, Switzerland winter holidays are often focused on winter sports, and there’s so much more to these than world-class ski resorts.
Whether you want to go to Switzerland in December and would like to find out about Christmas events, or want to know about the best places to visit in Switzerland in winter for sports other than skiing, this guide will help you plan for winter in Switzerland.
Covered are the Swiss winter weather and how this varies from one place to another, as well as details of all the snow sports it’s possible to take part in. These include snowshoeing, sledging, snowkiting and speedriding as well as skiing.
Plenty of other things to do in Switzerland in winter are also available for non-skiers, or sporty types who are seeking a change from the slopes. These include kayaking on a Swiss lake or taking in the scenery from a train or mountaintop.
Other winter activities in Switzerland include fondue tasting and of course those fabulous festive markets and pastimes.
Continue reading so you can plan which are the best places to visit in Switzerland from December to early March – and find out the answers to questions such as does it snow in Switzerland in December?

Winter Weather in Switzerland
Let’s begin by taking a look at the weather – what’s the Swiss alps winter really like, and what should you expect in the towns and cities that are further from the mountains?
The peak season for snow is during the months of January and February, plus early March. In mountainous regions, snow can also be expected at any time between October and April.
Places with a high altitude can be more snowy than lower-lying areas. The towns and cities of Lucerne, Geneva, Zurich, Basel or Locarno, for example, may not be snow-clad in winter, while some of the loftiest mountain peaks may be snow-capped all year round.
You can expect snow in ski resorts during winter, as it’s the very reason they exist!
When planning things to do in Zurich in winter, for example, don’t expect snowy landscapes all around, though you may well see some snowy mountain peaks across the country. The same applies with things to do in Geneva, Switzerland in winter – as with other low-lying regions.
If you’re wondering about visiting Switzerland in November, you should be aware that this is autumn rather than winter, so it may not yet be snowing. By the end of the month, though, you could start to see snow. Some of the Christmas markets also open before December even begins. Read More…