Five big drawcards for Switzerland’s magic winter

Switzerland never ceases to amaze with its majestic alpine landscapes and engineering endeavours. And the two often combine to provide memorable experiences for tourists. Here are five highlights of the upcoming 2024/25 winter season

SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX

Billed as the world’s steepest cableway, the Schilthornbahn 20XX will open in mid-December, connecting two of the prettiest mountain villages of the Bernese Alps, Stechelberg and Murren. Boasting a maximum cable incline of up to 159.4%, it will carry around 800 passengers an hour and will form part of a network linking with the summit stations of Birg (2684m) and Schilthorn (2970m).

The latter is home to Piz Gloria, a science station that doubled as villain Blofeld’s lair in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and lulls visitors with its rotating restaurant and viewing terraces.

From October 2024 to March 2025, the Birg-Schilthorn cable section will be closed for construction. But after this, the total travel time between Stechelberg and Schilthorn will be slashed from 32 to 22 minutes.

THE WORLD’S HIGHEST SUBWAY UPGRADED

Surrounded by cloud-piercing peaks, and characterised by its well-preserved wooden architecture, Saas-Fee is a rustic-chic resort village near Zermatt and the gateway to more than 100km of pistes for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and toboggan runs.

It also has the world’s highest underground funicular on its doorstep. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the Metro Alpin has been modernised with upgraded stations and new carriages. The tunnel journey from Felskinn (at 2980m) to Mittelallalin (3456m) takes under five minutes. Both stations have eateries, with Mittelallalin home to the world’s highest revolving restaurant.

As you dine, survey the spectacular alpine scenery on the Swiss-Italian border, with many mountains spiralling above 4000m.

FONDUE ON THE GO

For those who’d prefer to eat on the move, there’s an enticing option from the gorgeous city of Lucerne. Tuck into a traditional Swiss cheese fondue while riding the gondola over the wooded slopes towards Mount Pilatus, a hallowed 2132m peak that rises to the south of Lucerne.

In between spoonfuls of the gloopy fondue, and sips of white wine, you can savour the awe-inspiring vistas of central Switzerland and the glimmering Lake Lucerne below.

Beginning in the city district of Kriens, the gondola runs up to Frakmuntegg, where you could connect to an aerial cableway for the remaining three-and-a-half-minute ride to the summit of Pilatus.

If the weather’s kind, you could walk off your lunch by snowshoeing on marked mountain trails (snowshoes including poles can be rented at a store by Kriens station). If you’re here November 15-17, you can enjoy what’s claimed to be Europe’s highest Christmas market, with 40 festive stalls dotting the top of Mount Pilatus.

VELOGEMELLING

Looking for a quirkier activity than the usual winter sports? You could have a go at velogemelling.

With its roots in the postcard-perfect village of Grindelwald, where it has been used as a mode of downhill transportation for over 100 years, it involves riding a wooden vehicle that’s a cross between a bicycle and a sledge.

Comprising a frame with two runners and a handlebar attached at the front, it has no brakes (you have to drag your feet to slow down). In the local dialect, “gemel” means sledge, while “velo” means bike in Switzerland (and France too).

You can hire a velogemel at Grindelwald train station then take a bus to Bussalp (1800m), a mountain above the town. Admire the panoramas of the mighty Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks before beginning your velogemelling descent.

If you’re here at the start of February, you can watch the experts competing in the annual Velogemel World Championships.

BEARY NICE ACCOMMODATION

In the heart of the car-free resort village of Wengen, west of Grindelwald, the Braunbar Hotel & Spa is among the stand-out Swiss openings for the 2024/25 winter season.

Translated to mean the “Brown Bear Hotel”, it has roared new life into the former Sunstar Hotel, with a complete refurbishment yielding 80 hip, retro-inspired rooms, including duplexes and family options, furnished with wood and other alpine materials.

This four-star hotel has an outdoor terrace with alpine panoramas and an indoor spa containing a pool, sauna and steam room, with the option to book massages and other pampering treatments. A bar and restaurant serves seasonal cuisine or you could reserve the grill hut with a fireplace (ideal for a raclette or fondue evening with family and friends).

The hotel is situated across from the Mannlichen-Bahn cable car, which offers access to around 100km of pistes of the Kleine Scheidegg/Mannlichen ski area. Non-skiers are also lured to Wengen by the promise of hiking and tobogganing with crisp alpine air and blue skies (they receive more hours of winter sunshine here than the average Swiss resort).

From the village train station you can enjoy scenic rides on the Wengernalpbahn, the world’s longest cogwheel railway, which can connect you to another heritage line, the Jungfrau, the highest railway in Europe.

fact file + For more information on visiting Switzerland, see myswitzerland.com