Insider tips: 7 excursions in Switzerland in winter
We name 7 insider tips for beautiful excursions in Switzerland in winter for young and old.
Walk along the Laternliweg on the Säntis
A romantic activity for two in winter is a walk along the Laternliweg at the foot of the Säntis in Schwägalp. The best time to get there is in the evening, when numerous kerosene lamps bathe the path in a warm light. A magical atmosphere in the dark season.
On this secret excursion tip in the Swiss winter, you can hike leisurely through picture-book landscapes, under fir trees and across snow-covered meadows.
Interesting fact: The round takes around an hour - the paths are well prepared, but good shoes with a profile are still recommended.
Winter kayaking in Interlaken
The lake lies very still in the snowy landscape, surrounded by mountains with snow-covered peaks and dense forests on the slopes. We're about to take to the water in a kayak, because what's fun in summer is also possible in winter: In Interlaken, in the Bernese Oberland, you can paddle on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the cold season.
- On Lake Brienz you can experience the glittering winter atmosphere and tranquillity of nature. The route to the Giessbach Falls, for example, offers particularly beautiful conditions for paddling.
- On Lake Thun, take the kayak route along the shore.
Take a break with a hot drink from the thermos flask and enjoy the view of the magnificent castles and surrounding mountains.
Night-time sledging at Les Diablerets
In the Les Diablerets ski area in the canton of Vaud in south-western Switzerland, you will also find insider tips for excursions in the Swiss winter. For example, on the seven-kilometre-long toboggan run. From the Les Mazots mountain inn, the run takes you down into the valley to Les Diablerets.
In the winter months, the descent is also possible at night on certain days. Equipped with a headlamp in the dark, this excursion with the family becomes an adventure. After sledging, you can warm up with your loved ones over a mulled wine or punch.
This works particularly well in a chic wellness hotel in the Swiss mountains. The "Gstaad Palace" mountain resort, for example, is just a 30-minute drive from Les Diablerets.
Snowshoe hike in the Gantrisch Nature Park
A snowshoe hike is the best way to experience the magical snowy landscapes of Switzerland. Appropriate shoes and gaiters, hiking poles and a rucksack with enough food and drink and you're ready to set off on your snow excursion in the Swiss winter.
Insider tip trails can be found in the Gantrisch Nature Park near Fribourg, for example. The winter hiking routes through the snow-covered hilly landscapes of the Pre-Alps are a dream come true for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities in winter.
Off-piste skiing adventures in Lenzerheide
Skiing or snowboarding during your winter vacation is a must in Switzerland. A secret excursion tip: away from the often crowded pistes, you can experience the mountains at their best on a deep snow safari. Including views of untouched snowfields.
Trips of this kind are possible, for example, in the vacation resort of Lenzerheide, a snow-sure mountain village in eastern Switzerland at an altitude of1,480 meters. You can explore the area freeriding on a guided tour. You will cover around 3,000 meters in altitude from Lenzerheide to Arosa and Tschiertschen.
Interesting fact: If you are an inexperienced skier, you should not venture into rough terrain alone.
Art at the highest heights in the sculpture park near Verbier
There are exciting museums in Switzerland, but art and culture don't always have to take place indoors. This is proven by the Verbier 3-D Foundation Sculpture Park, an open-air museum at an altitude of 2,300 meters. In winter, the sculptures on display blend seamlessly into the snow-covered Alpine landscape.
The sculpture park is located between the La Chaux and Les Ruinettes mountain stations. It takes around two hours by car from Geneva. If you hire a car for the trip, you can benefit from exclusive car rental advantages such as vehicle upgrades and preferential treatment at the counter with your Platinum Card from American Express.
Ice-skating in the forest in Sur En
If you are planning an excursion with children in the Swiss winter, we recommend a visit to the ice path in Sur En. Every year during the winter months, a forest path is transformed into a skating rink. Gliding along the rink in a beautiful winter landscape in the middle of the forest is fun for young and old alike.
The rink in Sur En is an insider tip for an excursion in the Swiss winter. The circuit is open daily for skating and is located near the villages of Scuol and Sent in the Lower Engadine in the east of Switzerland.
Interesting fact: equipment such as skates, helmets and riding aids can be hired on site.
Gold Card or Platinum Card? Which card will accompany you on excursions in the Swiss winter?
Out and about in a winter wonderland: ideas for excursions in Switzerland
Switzerland is beautiful all year round. But it is particularly magical in winter, when the snow covers the mountain and meadow landscapes in a white dress. With this picture-book backdrop, you can go on wonderful excursions into the mountains and into nature. And in December, enjoy beautiful city trips and indoor activities .
It's best to always have your American Express credit card with you when you're out and about. It gives you numerous attractive benefits when traveling and in everyday life, such as extensive insurance benefits, dining benefits and hotel benefits.
Frequently asked questions and answers
There are numerous options for family outings with children in Switzerland in winter. For example, night-time sledging over a distance of more than seven kilometers in Les Diablerets or a sledging tour in Sur En are great.
For fans of outdoor activities, snowshoe hikes in Switzerland are particularly beautiful, and the routes through the Gantrisch Nature Park with its beautiful panorama of the foothills of the Alps are an insider tip. Alternatively, a kayak trip in winter on one of the lakes around Interlaken is a wonderful outdoor activity. And for art and culture enthusiasts, a walk around the open-air museum near Verbier in a wintry setting is a good idea.
If you want to go on excursions in Switzerland in winter and are out and about in nature, you should make sure you have the right clothing. Warm socks, a hat, gloves and thermal underwear will protect you from the cold. You should also pack sun protection for sunny days. And a thermos flask will provide you with hot drinks on the way.
