Wild camping in the Swiss Alps in winter

Short summary – read this first

Marcel from Holland is planning a winter camping trip along the ski slopes, specifically at Kleine Scheidegg or Schwarsee in Zermatt. He wants to camp above the tree line but is unsure about the regulations for wild camping in winter and the proximity to ski slopes due to his insurance restrictions. He seeks advice on whether others are doing this and if it's allowed.

Key takeaways:
  • Wild camping is permitted in Switzerland but rules vary by region, so check local regulations before planning your trip.
  • It’s important to contact local authorities or tourism bodies to get accurate information on camping near ski slopes.
  • Safety regulations often prevent camping close to ski slopes, especially during winter, so plan accordingly.
➤ We can plan your Switzerland trip for you. Save time and avoid mistakes! See how it works
InfoAI-generated summary
  • M_bruin
    Participant
    2 posts
    27 September 2020 at 16:24:49 #825703

    Hi, i am new her,

    my name is Marcel from Holland.

    This winter i want to camp allong the ski slope.

    I have the right equipment. I want to cmp above the treesite.

    my idee is to walk up on my touring ski’s and build a camp and sleep on the mountain.

    places in mind are Kleine Scheidegg or Schwarsee in Zermatt.

    I do a lot off wild camp in spring on my travells along Europe (biking)

    It is so much funn i bought a sleeping back at Cumulus for -17 for doing the same in winter.

    Are more people doing this?

    I see on movies people hike on the Simplon end camp there.

    But my insurance does not allow me to ski near the slopes.

    So i have to keep in mind that i must stay near the slopes.

    regards and thank,

    Marcel Bruin

    Niederlande

  • Anna
    Moderator
    7727 posts
    Reply 1 of 2 • 28 September 2020 at 6:48:00 #934356

    Hi Marcel,

    Welcome to MySwissAlps!

    Wild camping above the tree line is certainly allowed in Switzerland as long as you do not camp in natural, restricted or protected areas. However regulations differ from region to region and especially regarding wild camping in winter. You should contact the local authority or local tourism body for clarification. Most mountain resorts would not allow you to camp near ski slopes for safety reason.

    You can find more information about wild camping here: http://www.myswissalps.com/campsites/wildcamping

    Scroll down for useful external links (listed under information from other websites).

    Hope this somewhat helps 🙂

    Regards,

    Anna

    Plan your Switzerland itinerary the easy way

    ➤ Skip the planning stress. We’ve traveled in Switzerland for years and will design your custom, independent journey from scratch. See how it works

    M_bruin
    Participant
    2 posts
    Reply 2 of 2 • 28 September 2020 at 7:58:25 #934357

    Hi Anna,

    thank you very much. i will check the links.

    Very usefull

    regards

    Marcel

  • The thread ‘Wild camping in the Swiss Alps in winter’ is closed to new replies.

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 9050 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.