Ultimate Winter Adventure in Switzerland: Skiing, Sledding & Sightseeing - 14 Days

Highlights

• Visit colorful towns and historic cities like Bern and Interlaken
• Spend days on the slopes skiing down Alpine mountains
• Relax in natural hot springs and enjoy spa treatments
• Hit the road on a self-drive adventure around the Swiss Alps
• Ride cable cars up to mountain peaks and try traditional fondue

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Milan, Train to Lugano, Self-Guided Tour

Welcome to Italy! That's right, this two-week Swiss holiday begins with your arrival in the northern city of Milan. That's because it's the most convenient hub to arrive by train at your first destination: Lugano. Located on an eponymous lake in southern Switzerland in the Italian-speaking canton (state) of Ticino, this historic town draws visitors for its idyllic waterfront setting and mix of cultures.

Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day to explore on a self-guided tour. A great place to start is in the city center. Highlights include ornate Renaissance churches and modern cultural landmarks like the Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana (Art Museum of Italian Switzerland) and the Auditorio Stelio Molo, a cutting-edge concert hall with world-class acoustics. Lugano is also famous for its fusion cuisine, mixing Italian and Swiss cultures. If you like, warm up with a hot bowl of minestrone (vegetable soup)—a local specialty.

Another option is to take a 15-minute ride on the funicular cable car from town up to the charming village of Brè. Located on the mountain of the same name, you'll enjoy stunning views of Lake Lugano, the surrounding mountains, and the city. Once at the top, you can explore the village, enjoy local cuisine, and relax amid the postcard scenery.

Day 2: Snowshoe Excursion Near Lugano

You've had some leisure time in town; now it's time to visit the countryside and really immerse yourself in the Swiss winter. In the morning, transfer into the mountains outside Lugano and explore the majesty of the Swiss Alps in style on a full-day snowshoe adventure. It begins with your arrival in the village of Bosco Gurin, located at the highest point in the Ticino canton at 4,934 feet (1,504 m).

This village is a well-loved destination for winter sports enthusiasts and skiers. Upon arrival, you'll strap on your snowshoes and embark on a brief, scenic loop through wild and snowy mountain landscapes. The journey will offer incredible vistas out over Bosco Gurin, as well as winding routes through native forests. Eventually, you'll arrive back in town and transfer back to Lugano.

Day 3: Train to St. Moritz, Self-Guided Tour

Rise early because you've got a long (but scenic) train ride ahead. Transfer to the station for the mountain railway journey through the Alps to St. Moritz, an exclusive resort town nestled in the Engadin Valley. It features prominently in Olympic history, as it has hosted the Winter Games twice. Also, when the town's eponymous lake is frozen over, it hosts polo, cricket, and horse racing on snow. In addition to their well-maintained cross-country ski slopes, nearby mountains like Corviglia, Diavolezza, and Corvatsch offer skiing and snowboarding.

You'll get to experience the surrounding nature soon enough. For now, check into your hotel, after which you can spend the rest of the day exploring the town. If you like, take a scenic stroll on the waterfront or indulge in some retail therapy at the luxury shops and boutiques on Via Serlas, St. Moritz's high street. There are also plenty of gourmet restaurants here that would make a nice dinner option.

Days 4-5: Ski Days Near St. Moritz

Spend the next two days doing what folks in this part of the world do: hitting the slopes. All around St. Moritz are ideal mountains for carving powder, and you can choose between two prominent resorts: Corviglia and Corvatsch. The former offers a range of slopes suitable for all skill levels, plus a fun cable car ride up to the summit of Mount Piz Nair.

At Corvatsch, you'll enjoy vast and varied skiing terrain with long descents, challenging off-piste opportunities, and a freestyle park. Also here is the Corvatsch cable car, which takes visitors to the mountain summit at 10,837 feet (3,303 m), making it the highest cable car station in Switzerland. At the end of each day, you'll return to St. Moritz.

Day 6: Train to Zürich, Sunset Fondue Cruise

After breakfast, hop on a train for the three-hour ride north to Zürich. Located in northern Switzerland and sitting on the lake of the same name, this is the country's financial heart. But Zürich is much more than commerce, as you'll see when you stroll the streets after checking into your hotel. Embark on a self-guided tour around Altstadt (Old Town). Here, cobblestone streets lead past medieval buildings, historic churches, museums, and quaint squares.

Later in the afternoon, you're in for quite a treat (literally) as you enjoy a foodie boat cruise on Lake Zürich. At the waterfront, you'll board a ship for a three-hour sunset ride around the lake. During the outing refreshments like wine and hot tea will be served with the main course: cheesy fondue!

Day 7: Drive to Bern, Self-Guided Tour & Spa Day

Trade the train for a rental car this morning, as you're off to another fabulous Swiss city. It's a two-hour drive southwest from Zürich to Bern, a bastion of culture and history. Also, its colorful Old Town district (recognized by UNESCO) is particularly charming during winter. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel.

Then, you can head out and explore Bern on your own. Begin in the aforementioned Old Town, one of Europe's most well-preserved medieval centers. All along the cobbled streets of this enclave are historic landmarks, from the 13th-century Zytglogge clock tower to the Einstein House, where the German-born physicist lived from 1903 to 1905.

You won't have to travel far to enjoy your next activity: a relaxing spa session. Also located in the Old Town, the Schweizerhof Wellness Spa is a great place to soothe your muscles after the last few days of outdoor winter activities. Enjoy massage treatment, swim in the heated pool, relax in the sauna, and cozy up next to that special someone in the "glacier grotto."

Day 8: Drive to Interlaken, Ice Skating

Hop back in the rental car for the scenic hourlong drive to Interlaken. Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland between two turquoise lakes (Thun and Brienz), this picture-postcard town offers a breathtaking backdrop with the towering Swiss Alps peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel.

Later, you'll head to the city center and Ice Magic. Whereas many cities and towns open ice rinks during winter, this attraction tops them all. Open from the middle of December to the end of February, Ice Magic combines five large rinks, all interconnected by ice ramps. So have fun skating from one area until you work up an appetite and head to dinner.

Day 9: Cable Car Up to Jungfraujoch

The Alpine adventures continue this morning with a 15-minute cable car ride up to the Eiger Glacier Station, an access point to the mountain of the same name. Located in the Jungfraujoch region of the Swiss Alps and known as the "Top of Europe," this high mountain pass in the Bernese Alps sits at 11,371 feet (3,466 m).

From there, you'll ride a cogwheel mountain train to the top and enjoy incredible views of Mount Eiger's north face. However, for truly epic vistas, head to the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory. Here, you'll look out to the Aletsch Glacier (the longest glacier in the Alps), a vast ice flow laid out like an enormous freeway running between mountain peaks.

While here, you can admire views of the glacier and surrounding mountains, plus tour the glimmering tunnels of the Ice Palace attraction. Then, after lunch at a mountaintop restaurant, descend by cogwheel train to the resort town of Wengen in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From there, transfer by car back to Interlaken. 

Day 10: Snowshoe & Sled Adventure

Grab a hearty breakfast, then meet your guide and travel by cable car to the mountain hamlet of Sulwald. There, take some time to admire the sweeping views over the Grindelwald Valley below. Then strap on snowshoes for another fun cross-country adventure. Stomp through snow-covered forests beneath the soaring peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains—scenery you won't soon forget. It's a full-day excursion, but you'll break up the snowshoeing with some fun sledding down snowy hills. At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to Interlaken.

Day 11: Drive to Zermatt, Cable Car to the Matterhorn

In the morning, get back behind the wheel for the two-hour drive south to Zermatt. Located in Switzerland's Pennine Alps, this is yet another idyllic mountain town. Mostly, Zermatt is famous for its views of the nearby Matterhorn peak—an iconic mountain you'll see up close and personal a little while later. For now, check into your hotel and drop off your bags.

A short while later, you'll embark on perhaps the most famous gondola ride in all of Europe: the 40-minute journey up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. At 12,740 feet (3,883 m), this is the highest mountain station on the continent. At the summit, there's a viewing platform where you can enjoy 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding peaks that are unrivaled anywhere else in the world. 

Day 12: Sledding in Zermatt, Gondola Fondue Party

Set off this morning on a cable car ride up to Gornergrat, a rocky ridge in the Pennine Alps sitting at around 10,170 feet (3,100 m). It's home to the world's highest sled run, which you'll get to enjoy on arrival. This sled ride lasts a full 10 minutes and delivers plenty of thrills along the way.

Afterward, you'll board another cable car for a fun activity that few visitors ever experience: a fondue party in your own private gondola. The classic Swiss fondue is a blend of high-quality cheeses, typically Gruyère and Emmental, served with bite-sized cubes of crusty bread. There will be place settings for up to four guests, during which you and your friends/loved ones can enjoy this national delicacy amid incredible views of the Matterhorn. Later, ride a gondola back down to Zermatt.

Day 13: Day Trip to Leukerbad Hot Springs

Time to soothe those muscles after two weeks of skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing! This morning, you'll transfer about an hour north to the village of Leukerbad. Nestled in the Valais region of Switzerland, it's home to one of the largest and most renowned hot spring complexes in the Alps: the Leukerbad Therme. The entire region features subterranean geothermal springs that feed many natural pools and baths, which range in temperatures from around 124°F (51°C) to 145°F (63°C).

Upon arrival, you'll take a nice long soak in some pools. Afterward, feel free to take advantage of the spa facilities. These include saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas perfect for mind and body rejuvenation. Even better, the experience is complemented with epic views of the surrounding snowy Alps. Later, you'll drive back to Zermatt.

Day 14: Drive to Geneva, Depart

You've traveled across Switzerland and enjoyed plenty of Alpine adventures along the way. Alas, now it's time to say farewell. In the morning, hit the road for the scenic three-hour journey west to Geneva and the international airport, where you'll drop off your rental car and catch your flight home. Until next time!

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