Whether you're an experienced skier or a novice, the amazing skiing in Switzerland is probably the best reason to visit there. The best destination to go skiing and snowboarding is St. Moritz, which has 87 pistes and has hosted two Olympic Games, while Zermatt has 360 kilometers of runs at the highest ski area in Switzerland.

Additionally, Davos, one of Europe's greatest winter sports centers, has a network of connected ski resorts that provide groomed runs, beginner slopes, and off-piste terrain for expert skiers. There are other smaller resorts in Switzerland that will suit your needs if you want a more laid-back atmosphere or gentler runs. While the less well-known resort area of Arosa Lenzerheide offers lots of winter sunshine and enough groomed routes for intermediate skiers, Saas-Fee in the Valais region offers 37 kilometers of beginning trails along with facilities for children and learners. Even better, skiing in Switzerland is more than simply a sport; it's a social adventure. After a long day of skiing, stop at a mountainside café for a hot meal and a cup of cocoa next to a crackling fire.

The Bernina Express is not only one of Switzerland’s most beautiful train journeys but it is also consistently found in lists of the most scenic train journeys around the world. This train glides through different regions and cultures for an unforgettable experience!

The Bernina line connects Switzerland and Italy, starting and ending in Chur in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy, respectively. The train route takes you through incredible alpine landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is open for travel year-round and runs through some of Switzerland's most beautiful landscapes. At any time of year, a train trip over the Swiss Alps is breathtaking. The eight-hour journey crosses the snow-covered Alps, 291 bridges, glacier lakes, and narrow valleys that appear to continue on forever. It's among the most beautiful ways to take in the wintertime scenery while sipping hot chocolate.

The best Christmas markets in Europe can be found in Switzerland, making shopping there one of the wintertime highlights. Christmas markets thrive in Zurich, notably Christkindlimarkt, the largest indoor market in Europe, which is located within the main train station.

While Bern's Waisenhausplatz Christmas market sells souvenirs in addition to Christmas decorations and gifts, Basel's main city square hosts approximately 200 artisans who sell their wares from inside tiny wooden chalets. Several Christmas markets in Geneva are well-known for their old-school carrousels, live Christmas carols, and a focus on the crafts of local artists. Additionally, the Chateau de Chillon Castle near Montreux has an impression of an authentic medieval market. Swiss Christmas markets offer great food, including rösti (potato pancakes) and cheese fondue, in addition to great shopping.

Many cities in Switzerland have skating rinks, but the best experience is to skate on a natural rink. Natural rinks can be found all around Switzerland, often hidden deep inside valleys or only accessible by chairlift.

Davos, a ski resort town in Switzerland, is home to the biggest natural ice rink in Europe. It has a surface area of 18,000 square meters and is used by both experts and beginners looking to have fun, including ice hockey players and world champion speed skaters. Many lakes in the Jura region of Switzerland freeze over in the winter and become giant ice rinks. At 1,004 meters in altitude, Lac (lake) de Joux is a breathtaking display of ice. Other well-known locations in the La Brevine region are Lac des Rousses and Lac des Tailleres. In the winter, Katzensee Lake outside of Zurich draws ice skaters for those who prefer to keep their trip urban.

Switzerland is beautiful in the winter, no matter which city you are in, but the most magical places to visit are the small, charming villages and towns. The ski resort towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz are favorites, but Grindelwald and Gstaad are equally stunning, with smaller crowds.

Davos, the highest town in the Alps, is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, but it's also a great place to shop and enjoy great food in a picturesque mountain setting. St. Gallen is a unique destination since it has a pedestrian-only Old Town Center, ancient homes that date back hundreds of years, and the Abbey of St. Gallen, which in December serves as the setting for a Christmas market. Another stunning medieval village with cobblestone streets that comes alive around the holidays is Gruyères, which is known throughout the world for its namesake cheese. Lugano is another great winter destination, with Christmas markets that begin in November and go until early January. It is located directly on a lake and is surrounded by beautiful mountains.

In Switzerland, thermal spas have a long tradition. For many years, even royalty soaked in the therapeutic, mineral-rich waters from the nearby springs. The feeling of unwinding in a 40-degree outdoor pool while snowflakes fall on your face is a must-try while in Switzerland, whether at a small, modest spa center or an impressive massive health resort.

The Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad, which is located at the summit of Mt. Rigi and offers views of Lake Lucerne, is one of the most well-known thermal baths in Switzerland. Here, you can choose between an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, as well as herbal steam baths and an outdoor lounging area for relaxing. The Termali Salini & Spa on Lake Locarno, which has outdoor saltwater lakes that overlook the lake, is another great waterfront location. Leukerbad-Therme, the largest spa destination in the Alps, heats its ten thermal baths to a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius using water from a private spring that is rich in minerals.

Magical adventures can be found year-round in the beautiful paradise of Switzerland. Skiers and snowboarders riding down slopes of every difficulty level keep the snow-capped peaks busy at all times. But there are still many ways to enjoy the country’s beautiful landscape in winter, and one truly unique experience is dog sledding.

Switzerland has many husky runs if you're looking for something different. The non-skier offerings at ski resorts include many departures. However, there are other locations for you to choose from such as the Jungfraujoch near Interlaken; the Les Rosées-Dessous (where the polar environment is ideal for days out in the snow), and the Lake Geneva region. Visit the Barry Foundation in Champex-Lac if you want to spend time with dogs without making them do any heavy pulling. In addition to offering guided snowshoe excursions with friendly St. Bernards during the winter, the foundation organizes animal-assisted therapy sessions.

Spend the night in an igloo for a truly unique experience. Many Alpine ski resorts build their own igloos that serve as ice rooms in the winter. Igloo rooms come standard with their own sleeping bags, a free hot beverage, and either lamps or battery-operated lights, depending on the location.

The well-known Berghotel Engstligenalp igloos are 2,000 meters above sea level and are situated on the Engstligenalp plateau in the western Alps. A hot water bottle to keep warm in the sleeping bag, use of the restrooms and showers in the nearby chalet, a three-course dinner, and a buffet breakfast are all included in the price of the stay. Additionally, as a farewell gift, they get to take home homemade Nidletäfeli (caramel Swissmilk). A stay at the well-known Iglu-Dorf in Gstaad, in the Bernese Oberland, includes a heated Jacuzzi under the stars, a guided snowshoeing excursion, and your own cheese fondue.

Swiss chocolate is well known around the world. You should participate in the various enjoyable chocolate experiences available in Switzerland, including workshops, tastings, and city tours with a chocolate theme, whether you are visiting or living there.

While in Switzerland, you can eat a lot of chocolate, but nothing compares to a factory tour where you can see it being made and sample plenty of it for free. While the Läderach Chocolate Experience in Bilten allows you to create your very own chocolate while tasting artisan samples along the way, the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc offers an interactive museum tour that tells visitors about the history of chocolate all the way back to the Aztecs. If you don't have time for a chocolate tour, enjoy one of the numerous chocolate-based treats the country has to offer by finding a nice café. Or simply get up some Swiss chocolate truffles to nibble on while traveling. In addition to the traditional milk chocolate variations, you may also get varieties in coffee, hazelnut, and toffee flavors.

Sometimes looking down is the greatest way to take in Switzerland's beauty. And a helicopter is definitely the best place to do it. The breathtaking rides, which can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, are offered by a number of outfitters that offer sightseeing flights over the snowcapped Alps

You can take a helicopter tour of the famous Matterhorn mountain from Zermatt, or you can fly over the spectacular glaciers of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, where scenes for James Bond movies were made, by going to Lauterbrunnen. You can alternatively ride a cable car or funicular to the summit of Switzerland's most iconic mountains for a little less thrilling experience. You can enjoy the million-dollar view even if you don't ski. Simply ascend to the resort's restaurant to savor a hot meal or to take in the views of the Alpine peaks.