10 very Swiss ideas for the festive season
As excitement mounts in the run-up to Christmas, various festive activities are keeping people occupied across Switzerland this December – from snow hikes to Christmas markets; from fun runs to open-air swimming or visits to Santa’s grotto. We recommend the following ten activities to get you in the mood before Father Christmas arrives.
1. The Santa Claus House (Rochers-de-Naye)
Come and see Father Christmas in his grotto atop Rochers-de-Naye at an altitude of 2,042 m from now until 24 December. Santa is opening his house and office to thousands of children. To get there, take the cog railway up the mountain from Montreux. Apart from the chance to meet Father Christmas, Santa’s elves will be on hand with a range of children’s activities.
2. Advent at Kirschgarten in Basel
The Haus zum Kirschgarten is full of sparkling Christmas trees as Basel’s grandest mansion celebrates the festive season once again. Each of the ten fir trees displayed in the venerable interiors of the Museum of Domestic Culture are decorated in a different style, telling the story of Christmas tree decorations from the early 19th century to the present day. There is also an exhibition of historic toys in the attic, while a paper star installation by Margarete Polus Dangerfield greets visitors on the ground floor.
3. The Christmas Cup in Geneva
The Christmas Cup (Coupe de Noël) is a Geneva institution. Dating back to 1934, this swimming competition in the chilly waters of Lake Geneva is a must-see event that takes place a few days before Christmas. The race covers a distance of 125 m along the banks of the Jardin Anglais, in waters with temperatures of between 5° and 10° C. Over 4,000 cold-water enthusiasts will gather in Geneva’s harbour on 18 December 2022, making this the biggest cold-water race in the world.
4. Europe’s longest toboggan run in Grindelwald
Nothing beats sledging from the top of the Faulhorn all the way down to the Bernese Alpine resort of Grindelwald via Bussalp. There are four runs to choose from, including the legendary ‘Big Pintenfritz’ – Europe’s longest toboggan run at 12.5 km – which starts at an altitude of 2,681 m and ends 1,050 m above sea level. Stop at Bussalp (1,800 m) on the way down to enjoy the panoramic views.
5. Horse-drawn carriage in the Jura
Go on a lovely horse-drawn carriage ride through the wooded pastures of Franches-Montagnes. Besides taking in views of the Jura countryside, you can partake in fondue and listen to the many amusing anecdotes about the region that the carriage driver has up his sleeve. Weather permitting, you can also go on a horse ride or even get pulled on a sleigh across the snow-covered terrain.
6. Skateline Albula
Every year just before Christmas, the world’s fastest hiking trail opens for business. Situated in the canton of Graubünden, the 3-km route from Alvaneu to Surava turns into a spectacular ice skating track through the snowy glades of Albula. Once you have completed the very gentle descent from start to finish, you can return to the top of the route using one of two quintessentially Swiss modes of transportation: the red train of the Rhaetian Railway or the yellow Postbus.
7. Night-time hiking in Vercorin
Every Tuesday evening until 10pm during the winter season, adventure seekers in Vercorin can hike up prepared slopes on skis or snowshoes to the top of the Crêt du Midi at an altitude of 2,300 m. This is a great opportunity to experience the magic of night-time walking. On their descent to the village of Vercorin, hikers can stop for a well-earned break at the Buvette de l’Étable (1,867 m).
8.The Christmas markets of Zurich
Fancy visiting several Christmas markets in record time? The city of Zurich boasts a Christmas market in its old town, a Christmas market at its main railway station (the ‘Christkindlimarkt’, featuring a 15-metre-tall Christmas tree), and a Christmas market on Sechseläutenplatz (the ‘Wienachtsdorf’ Christmas village, with an ice rink and a Bavarian curling track). Along with its festive lights, Bahnhofstrasse is also home to the Singing Christmas Tree, where various choirs from around the region spread Christmas cheer with their repertoire of carols.
9. Fondue igloo on Engstligenalp
Ever dreamt of eating fondue in an igloo? Then visit one of the igloos on Engstligenalp for a fondue dinner in a unique, romantic candlelit setting 2,000 m above sea level. Whether it’s an intimate outing with your loved one or an excursion for the whole family, this is the chance to enjoy an extraordinary, exquisite moment in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
10. Fun runs
There are numerous festive fun runs in Switzerland, particularly in the Swiss Plateau where snow is less prevalent. These include events in the first half of December, such as the Course de l’Escalade in Geneva, La Trotteuse in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Course de Noël Titzé in Sion, and the Christmas Midnight Run in Lausanne, as well as the Coupe de Noël in Estavayer-le-Lac and the Corsa da Natal in Ascona: plenty of opportunities to keep fit before the holidays begin.
