7 Invigorating Winter Activities to Enjoy in Switzerland If You Don't Ski
Sledding/Tobogganing
If you are up for a real adventure and want to experience a Switzerland winter to the fullest, then go on a tobogganing run. This involves hopping on a sled and sliding down the snowy slopes. You can go on a tobogganing run in pretty much any part of Switzerland, including Wildhaus, Schwarzsee, Bern and many more.
But the most popular, and maybe longest, tobogganing run is without a doubt from Preda to Bergün. It follows the famous Rhaetian Railway line, which has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and leads you through the Albula Valley.
The six-kilometer-long route will take you through some stunning scenery, and the 400-meter descent will really get your blood pumping. It’s definitely the top Swiss experience for the adrenaline junkie in you.
Bobsledding & Snow Horse Riding
Did you ever watch that movie about the Jamaican bobsled team? And then want to give it a try yourself? Now you can.
St. Moritz, Switzerland’s oldest winter tourism town, is also home to the oldest and most “natural” bobsled track in the world. Completely cooled and run using winter temperatures and ice, you can book yourself a run down at your own peril.
I have not done it yet, but if you are a bit of an adrenaline junkie then it might be just your thing.
If not, then St. Moritz has another winter extravaganza called White Turf. It is a few days of crazy horse racing on the frozen lake opposite St. Moritz. But not just any old horse racing — they also have some events where skiers are dragged behind the horses racing around the track at very high speeds! And another where they sit on sleds as well.
And while you are watching the races you can also watch the people. St. Moritz is one of the richest and most expensive areas in the country and this race attracts fur coat-wearing prima donnas from all over the world. Champagne and horse races seem to do that, right?
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Snowshoeing
It might not be a uniquely Swiss experience, but it is definitely something you should try out if you’re not a fan of skiing. Snowshoeing is incredibly easy to learn, and it’s a really fun way to experience the snow-covered slopes. It is pretty much hiking, but just in bigger shoes!
You can buy a pair of snowshoes, or you can rent them when you get to your destination. Most winter activity centers will rent them out to you, especially the ones that offer snowshoeing tours.
You should definitely get your own pair of snowshoes if you want to have complete freedom, in terms of where you go, what you get to see and how much time you want to spend. But if that’s not for you, then you can opt for a guided tour. The ones in Gstaad, Chur, Haslital and Naturpark Gantrisch are among the more popular choices.
