1. Light magic at Säntis, Schwägalp AR
In the dark season, people miss the light. In Schwägalp at the foot of Säntis, you can enjoy your longing for the light to the fullest. At Laternliweg, the winter landscape turns into a wonderland thanks to the warm oil light. It takes about an hour to pass over snow-covered meadows, past giant fir trees through the romantic landscape. As a reward, a culinary winter classic of all time awaits you in the Passhöhe restaurant or the Schwägalp mountain hotel: a hearty Appenzell cheese fondue. www.saentisbahn.ch
2. Ice skating in the forest, Sent GR
In the middle of the Lower Engadine forests, you will find an unconventional ice rink. On the 3-kilometer circular track near the villages of Sent and Scuol, you can completely immerse yourself in the winter scenery as you glide over the runners. From 4-18 February 2023, the “Faszinaziun Lichterwald” project will also take place here for the first time, and therefore the ice road will also be open in the evenings. At this time you can expect a spectacle with sculptures made of snow and ice and elements of light, color and music.
3. Drive to dinner, Braunwald GL
There are a wide variety of romantic carriage rides. Another insider tip are the Rössli tours in the car-free village of Braunwald in Glarnerland, accessible only by cable car. For example, you can go to Bergbeiz Nussbühl comfortably with two horsepower. While the coachman is waiting, you can enjoy one of the great menus. You can return to Braunwald by horsepower or take a walk (1 hour). The tour with a waiting time costs 160 francs for 4 people. www.braunwald.ch
4. Bündner Schlemmerei, Flims GR
Fine dining while enjoying natural wonders? This can be ideally combined with the kitchen walk “senda dils gusts” (10 kilometers, 2.5 hours walking time). Divided into three restaurants, you can sample a three-course meal made from local classics: a breakfast platter of Grisons specialties, barley soup and capuns (chard-filled packs), and a piece of Grisons hazelnut cake as the sweet icing on the cake. From mid-December, CHF 75/adult. Registration and more information here.
5. Luxurious Silence, Grimsel Pass BE/VS
There is nothing better than the desolate silence of the snowy mountains to escape from the daily stress – with the necessary amenities, of course. One such uncivilized place is the Grimsel Hospice in Grimsel Pass. The hotel is built on a rock thorn surrounded by a reservoir in a barren nature. This luxury house has only 28 rooms. And for anyone for whom a good bottle of wine is part of a successful holiday: 300 types of fine wine are stored in the rock cellar. www.grimselwelt.ch
6. Tobogganing at Night, Les Diablerets VD
The name of the Les Diablerets ski area is derived from the French word for devil. The 7.2 kilometer sleigh ride at night is a diabolical delight. The toboggan run from Les Mazots mountain inn to the village of Les Diablerets promises 45 minutes of fun. You can start with fondue if you want.
7. The track with a temple of health, Rigi Kaltbad LU
Slowly cross-country skiing has been booming over the years, despite the growing number of great winter sports. The route from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg on the old route of the Scheideggbahn is one of the most beautiful trails in Switzerland. The route offers a unique view of Lake Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland. First of all, after the 14-kilometer circular route, reward yourself with some wellness at the mineral baths and spa Rigi Kaltbad, designed by star architect Mario Botta.
8. Love nest in the snow, Zermatt VS
Have you just fallen in love with the butterflies in your stomach? Feelings can be heightened by staying overnight in an igloo (with sleeping bags, of course). The fantastic overnight stay includes an all-you-can-eat fondue and buffet breakfast at the mountain restaurant. If you wish, you can relax in the jacuzzi and take a snowshoe tour. This is possible in Zermatt. There are other places in Davos and Gstaad that offer different offerings.
9. Thermal bath card, Gemmipass BE/VS
Leukerbad offers water health culture in the best way with its three baths. Enjoy the cozy warmth of wellness oases even more when you try to relax, for example, by taking an impressive winter hike up to the historic Gemmi Pass at 2,314 meters. It starts at Sunnbüel BE (accessible from Kandersteg by cable car). You can reach the top of the gorge in about three hours, including a sweeping view of the four thousand mountains in Valais. From the Gemmi Pass, the cable car takes you (almost) directly to the thermal baths in Leukerbad.
10. Great railway cinema, Montreux VD/Gstaad BE/St. bile
Traveling by train through the Swiss countryside is like going to the movies: icy mountains, dusty forests and fairy tale villages pass by the window just like in a movie. With a little planning, you can travel all over Switzerland at the foot of the Alps. From Montreux, take the “Golden Pass” train via Gstaad to Zweisimmen, Lucerne, and from there via Voralpenexpress to St. Gallen. www.sbb.ch