Tips for a non-ski winter holiday in Switzerland 

Base towns for non-skiers

If you’re traveling with others who will be skiing, pick a centrally located winter resort. There are plenty of towns that provide easy access to ski areas, but also good connections to other Swiss towns. This allows you to explore several Swiss regions or make city trips.

Find tips for suitable winter resorts here. Use the Swiss timetable to check travel times to the other destinations on your wish list.

Accommodation for non-skiers

It’s best to have a hotel or holiday apartment close to a railway station. This allows you to quickly travel to other places. In most cases, this is easy for skiers too. Local trains or buses to ski lifts depart from railway stations.

Hotels close to railway stations are listed here.

Public transportation for non-skiers

It’s best to travel by train and bus in winter. Switzerland has an excellent public transportation network. It not only gets you into the snowy mountains, but right into the centers of larger towns. Driving can be challenging in winter.

If you’re not skiing, you won’t need a ski pass. It’s better to find a rail pass that fits your specific plans.

Many rail passes include cableways in the mountains as well, so you can enjoy the views or engage in non-ski snow activities. Find out which pass is best for your plans here.

Winter activities for non-skiers

If you don’t ski, there are lots of other ways to enjoy winter in Switzerland.

• You may like other snow activities, such as sledding, snowtubing, ice-skating or cross-country skiing.
• If you visit mountain tops, choose the ones with panoramic views and good catering options. You can enjoy the views from a warm restaurant or from a sunny terrace. Relax and sit back while you watch others ski!
• You can admire the winter landscape in peace and quiet during winter hikes. If you like photographing winter scenery, hiking is the perfect activity.
• Scenic train journeys allow you to visit other Swiss regions. And you’ll have amazing winter views along the way.
• Combine traveling with dining. Culinary train or boat trips are great fun.
• Visit Swiss cities. Most have picturesque old centers and lots of cultural activities. Many museums can be entered for free with a Swiss Travel Pass. Find all cities here, and cities with the best Christmas atmosphere here.
• Treat yourself to a spa visit. Enjoying a wellness treatment is a nice way to escape the cold. Many hotels have spa facilities, accessible for non-hotel guests too. Separate wellness options are available in many Swiss ski resorts as well. Examples are Davos, Leukerbad, Gstaad, St. Moritz and Zermatt.

More practical info for your winter trip