Winter News & Trips 2023/24.

Switzerland Tourism UK & Ireland

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Switzerland Tourism 30 Bedford Street

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Phone +44 20 7845 7680

MySwitzerland.com

MySwitzerland.com

media.uk@switzerland.com

Cover image © Switzerland Tourism/ Lorenz Richard, all rights reserved. Summer News & Trips 2020

I need nature. I need Switzerland.

4–5

I need news. I need Switzerland.

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7

I need media trips. I need Switzerland.

8-9

I need culture. I need Switzerland.

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I need sustainability. I need Switzerland.

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I need hotels. I need Switzerland.

Winter in Switzerland – where else.

With visitor numbers finally approaching pre-Covid levels, it’s been a successful summer season for the travel industry in Switzerland. We are also proud to share that the UK is once more the second most important foreign market for Switzerland in Europe, and the third most important in the world (after Germany and the USA). With that in mind, we are looking forward to a thriving winter season.

In this booklet, we’ll be updating you on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing above Zermatt, which sees its first winter season, the adrenaline-packed black run at Glacier 3000, cool winter dining experiences, and just why the Gornergrat is worth a visit this winter.

From iconic hotspots to lesser-known resorts, we also have top tips on the best familyfriendly resorts offering skiing and non-ski activities to suit all ages, abilities and tastes.

For the non-skiers, Switzerland also offers culture galore in its cities, whether it’s art in Valais or music in Lucerne. The long-anticipated opening of the CERN Science Gateway in October will also provide another compelling reason to visit Geneva. Those of you after milder climes can even head down to Switzerland’s southernmost canton of Ticino for a spot of winter watersports on Lake Maggiore.

Also in this booklet are all the latest winter openings from across Switzerland plus our winter group media trips for this year. We have also included a handy map on page 15 and have numbered (in red) throughout the booklet all the relevant destinations across Switzerland so that you can see exactly where everything is happening.

For further updates throughout the winter season, you can also head to the Switzerland

Tourism UK & Ireland Media Corner: MySwitzerland.com/mediauk

We hope that you will come away wanting to winter in Switzerland, and we look forward to helping you plan your next Swiss feature!

Myriam Ziesack, Fran Lambert and Carmen Rosat

Your UK & Ireland media team

Alex Herrmann Director UK & Ireland

Opening of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

An 80-year-old vision has finally become reality with the completion of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing. The Matterhorn Glacier Ride II, opened in July this year, forms the last section of the crossing connecting Zermatt (26) and the Italian resort of Cervinia, and is operational all year round. The highest continuous Alpine cable car crossing, the new crossing’s total journey time is 90 minutes, and the final section descends from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Testa Grigia in Italy in four minutes (7.5m/s). matterhornalpinecrossing.com/en

Winter at Ticino’s Wake Inn Beach Bar

Situated in the pretty town of Tenero (23) on Lake Maggiore, the Wake Inn Beach Bar is a hotspot for water sports lovers throughout the summer, but it’s a little-known fact that aficionado kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders can rent equipment throughout the winter too. As Switzerland’s sunniest region, Ticino enjoys milder temperatures than anywhere else in the country. In addition to watersports, the beach bar welcomes walkers passing by on the Sentiero delle Rive trail from Locarno the chance to stop and recharge their batteries with a delicious cheese fondue, enjoy the winter sun and soak in the relaxed winter vibes.

ticino.ch/wakeinn-winteredition

100th anniversary of the Swiss Youth Hostels

The Swiss Youth Hostels (originally the Zurich Youth Hostel Establishment Co-operative) were founded on 28 April 1924. For almost 100 years, they have been a vital first port of call for budget- and environmentally conscious travellers. The hostels ensure not only lasting memories of holidays, but also encounters with similarly minded people, and they are actively engaged in sustainable tourism. In these financially challenging times, there’s never been a better time to experience all that Swiss youth hostels have to offer than in their 100th anniversary year! youthhostel.ch/en

© Zermatt Bergbahnen

© Wake Inn Beach Bar

The Gornergrat Railway’s SnowFunPass

Sunrise skiing in Saas-Fee

Experience sunrise at 3,500m above sea level! Travel by cable car at sunrise to the highest point you can reach in Saas-Fee (22) for a spot of skiing and enjoy having the slopes all to yourself. Absolute tranquillity, panoramic mountain views, unbeatable golden light and perfectly prepared slopes await early risers who want to carve their tracks through the fresh snow. Before heading off, skiers can stock up on breakfast at the Allalin, the world’s highest revolving restaurant. Sunrise skiing plus breakfast costs £60 (€70) per person, not including ski pass. saas-fee.ch/en

Zermatt (26) is a paradise for skiers, but the Gornergrat Railway’s SnowFunPass lets visitors catch a train up to the Gornergrat and enjoy a full day of winter fun without skis. Take a morning snowshoe tour or winter hike, enjoy the interactive exhibition at ZOOOM The Matterhorn, and take in the 360° views of the surrounding 29 4,000m peaks on the viewing platform. In the afternoon, go sledging or try out a snooc on the highest sledge run in the Alps. The SnowFunPass costs £87 (€102) for a day and includes a return train ticket, unlimited rides between Riffelberg and Rotenboden (the sledge run), and snowshoe, sledge and snooc rental. gornergrat.ch/en

Opening of the new black run at Glacier 3000

Following last year’s unfortunate snow situation delaying its opening, this winter Glacier 3000 (8) will relaunch its long-anticipated, super steep new 3km black run, the Black Wall. Running from Cabane to Pillon in the Pierres Pointes sector, with a steepest incline of 46° and an altitude difference of almost 1,000m, the Black Wall begins with a 265m tunnel built through the Rocher Jaune mountain. It is hoped that the black run will be able to open as early as December, pending suitable snow conditions. glacier3000.ch

© Saas-Fee Saastal Tourism/Filme von Draussen

© Gornergrat Railway

Resorts for all ages and abilities.

Family-friendly resorts

It can be challenging finding a ski resort that satisfies everyone’s interests, expectations and budgets. Lesserknown resorts like Hasliberg in the Jungfrau Region (13), Schönried-Saanenmöser near Gstaad (9) and Betelberg Lenk (1) have ski runs for all levels, reasonably priced hotels and a relaxed vibe ideal for multigenerational groups. For families with small children, the resorts of Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets-Bex offers a number of nursery slopes and blue runs, while the Gletschi Family Funslope in the Aletsch Arena (3) provides a dash of extra adventure for young and old. MySwitzerland.com/en-gb/destinations

Resorts for non-skiers

Ski holidays can be polarising, but Switzerland offers way more in winter than just skiing, so non-skiers are in luck!

Mount Rigi, Grindelwald (13) and Les Diablerets (24) boast great sledge runs, Mürren (13) and Adelboden (1) offer Velogemel and skibocking, Saas-Fee (22) boasts winter Via Ferrata and Grindelwald First (13) is the place for year-round ziplining. Leukerbad (16) with its thermal springs is a hub for winter wellness, Evolène (11) offers husky sledding and Gstaad (9) runs horse carriage rides. There are also cliff walks and panoramic platforms, including the Tissot Peak Walk at Glacier 3000 (8) and the new viewing platforms in Nendaz (21) and Grindelwald First (13).

MySwitzerland.com/en-gb/experiences/winter

Swiss Ski Schools

Swiss Ski Schools have been present in Switzerland’s winter sports resorts since 1932, providing lessons in snow sports disciplines for learners of all ages and levels, from beginners and returners right through to experts. Visitors to Switzerland looking to get back into skiing after a break are in good hands at any of the 150+ Swiss ski schools they attend, and can choose from downhill, Telemark or crosscountry skiing or snowboarding. Swiss Ski Schools offer group or one-on-one lessons for children, teenagers and adults, with highly trained, experienced instructors who are there to help students reach the next level and grow in confidence on the slopes. swiss-ski-school.ch

© Aletsch Arena/Christian Pfammatter

© Swiss Ski School

© Lucerne Tourism/Beat Brechbühl

Dining experiences.

Opening in December: Cotton Club Andermatt

At 1,437m above sea level with the largest amount of snow in Switzerland, the charming, historic village of Andermatt (3) has seen much development of late. The latest addition is the Cotton Club which opens in December at the Swiss House, formerly operated by five-star hotel The Chedi. A ‘new hospitality’ concept that originated on the White Isle, the idea is for the Cotton Club to spend its summers in Ibiza before heading to Andermatt for the winter season. This hip new venue will combine casual daytime food and drink, fine dining and upmarket après, all in one venue, and all with a focus on service, design and sustainability. cottonlifestyle.com

Raclette on a raft in Interlaken

The perfect evening activity among friends or family, this floating feast of cheese along Lake Brienz and the Aare River is a unique way to savour this popular Swiss specialty with a glass of Swiss white wine! Wrapped up warm, passengers can enjoy being paddled along by a professional guide, leaving them free to enjoy a memorable dining experience in the twilight as the lights of Interlaken (12) pass by. Blankets, cushions and optional cups of tea add to the cosy winter atmosphere. The experience is bookable from mid-September to April, lasts around 90 minutes and multiple rafts can be booked for larger groups. Single seats cost £88 (€103) and full hire of an eight-person raft costs £620 (€725). interlaken.ch/en

The Offcut Food Truck in Gstaad

Spearheaded by Executive Chef Martin Göschel, five-star hotel The Alpina Gstaad’s zero-food-waste philosophy will be transported to the slopes this winter. Surrounded by pristine landscapes and accessed by the Eggli Porsche cable car and ski lift, ‘The Offcut Food Truck on the Slopes’ will serve up delicious dishes created from leftover ingredients from the hotel kitchen. Enjoy empanadas, curried vegetables, the popular zero-waste casarecce pasta, savoury muffin or banana cake. The truck will operate 10am-3pm (weather permitting) from mid-December to mid-March 2024 and can be found on the snowy slopes of Vorderes Eggli, in the Gstaad ski area (9) gstaad.ch

© Destination Gstaad/The Alpina Gstaad/Micha Riechsteiner

© Cotton Club Andermatt

© Outdoor Interlaken

Art, culture, science and cities.

Opening in October: CERN Science Gateway

The hotly anticipated visitor centre at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva (7) will soon be open to the public. Designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, the CERN Science Gateway will boast a net zero carbon footprint, and house both immersive exhibitions and hands-on educational activities. By enabling people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in its discoveries, it is hoped that this new attraction will be an emblematic education and outreach facility that will encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology. sciencegateway.cern

All aboard the sauna boat on Lake Zurich

Perhaps the hottest tip around for those fancy seeing Zurich (26) from a different angle; the sauna boat! Launched last winter season, this excursion enables passengers to work up a sweat in peace and quiet and relax outside or in the relaxation room while enjoying breathtaking views of the city of Zurich and the surrounding mountains from the panoramic window. Available to book all year round, the excursion is particularly magical in the winter, includes four hours’ use of the sauna for 2 to 6 people and costs £400 (€468). Bathrobe and slippers, as well as drinks, can be booked in addition or brought along, skipper’s licence not required. zuerich.com/en

Just opened: Les Années Fauves in Martigny

After unearthing an ancient Roman temple in the town of Martigny (19) in the 1970s, civil engineer Léonard Gianadda decided to build a cultural foundation around the ruins. Dedicated to his brother, the result is a world-class art museum exhibiting huge names. Currently on exhibit are some 100 Fauvist masterpieces from the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris and other collections, by artists including Dufy, Matisse and Braque. Running until 21 January 2024, this impressive exhibition of the first avant-garde movement of the 20th century is a must for art lovers passing through Martigny en route to the Alps this winter. gianadda.ch

© Fondation Gianadda

© CERN/Renzo Piano Building Workshop

© Zurich Tourism

Just opened: The Villa Heleneum in Lugano

Designed to support creativity in the arts, the Bally Foundation in Lugano (18) has supported artistic and cultural institutions and local artists for over 15 years. This year, the foundation inaugurated its new headquarters at the Villa Heleneum on Lake Lugano. Modelled on the Petit Trianon of Versailles, the three-floor villa and its garden were originally commissioned in the 1930s for a local community of artists, and forms the perfect backdrop for the two contemporary art exhibitions that will be hosted there every year by the Bally Foundation. The next exhibition at the Villa Heleneum runs from mid-September to mid-April 2024, tickets cost £10 (€12.50). ticino.ch/en

Just launched: ‘Lucerne, City of Music’ audio tour

Visitors to Lucerne (17) can now enjoy their own personal music-themed city tour, simply by downloading the free ‘Lucerne Official Audio Tour’ mobile app and popping in their earphones. Developed in partnership with IG Musikstadt and the Lucerne School of Music, the new ‘Lucerne, City of Music’ audio tour explores Lucerne’s rich musical heritage, taking tourists down picturesque streets, across the Chapel Bridge and along the lake to where legendary musicians performed and famous composers found their inspiration, and uncovering all the places where listeners can then go and enjoy music around the city. luzern.com/en

Swiss carnival season in February and March

Known as Fasnacht in Swiss German, carnival season is when the Swiss really let their hair down! Traditionally it is a time to let loose before Lent, a festival to drive away demons, and a celebration marking the end of winter. Typical sights include colourful fantastical masks and costumes, street parades, Guggenmusik bands, lightshows, live entertainment and revelry galore. The largest carnival is in Basel (4), followed by Lucerne (17), but carnivals take place in towns large and small across the country, with those in Bern (5), Zurich (26), Monthey (20) and Evolène (11) also pulling out all the stops. MySwitzerland.com/en-gb/experiences/events

© Jacques Perler

Hotel openings.

First winter season: Hotel Drei Berge, Mürren

At an altitude of 1,638m above sea level in the Jungfrau Region (13) sits the 100-year-old Hotel Drei Berge. Formerly the Hotel Bellevue, it reopened under new ownership in 2023 and was renamed after the three mountains that guests can see from their windows, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Completed in June, the hotel renovations boast classic Alpine style and sustainable materials with a contemporary touch. The hotel restaurant has also undergone a makeover, welcoming both a new Japanese chef and an experienced oenologist. dreibergehotel.ch/en/about/

First winter season: Mad Mount Hotel, Nendaz

Opened in the spring, the Mad Mount Hotel is one of the first carbon-negative hotels in Switzerland. Conveniently situated just 50m from the Tracouet cable car, it is the perfect base for skiers staying in Nendaz (21), and is committed to both sustainability and eco-responsibility. Throughout their stay, guests will enjoy a comprehensive digital experience, with charging stations for electric cars, as well as food-themed activities for its gourmet guests and a spa to unwind in the daytime or after a day of adventures on the slopes. madmount.ch/en

Partial opening in December: The Grand Hotel Belvédère, Wengen

Previously run by Wengen Classic Hotels, the Wengener Hof and Hotel Belvédère Wengen in the Jungfrau Region (13) were recently bought by the Beaumier Hotels group and are currently closed for major renovation work, where they will be combined and reopened in two phases as a vast five-star hotel renamed The Grand Hotel Belvédère, which will boast a spa, multiple restaurants and 90 rooms. The first phase will see half of the hotel reopen in December, with 36 rooms ready to welcome guests in time for the winter season. beaumier.com/en

© Hotel Drei Berge

© Mad Mount Hotel

© Beaumier Hotels

Opening in November: Locke am Platz, Zurich

With aparthotels across the UK, Ireland and Germany, the Locke am Platz in Zurich (26) is Locke’s first aparthotel to open in Switzerland. With all apartments boasting fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryers and comfy living spaces, guests will feel completely at home away from home. Further perks include an on-site restaurant, a packed calendar of events for guests and Locke’s signature style interiors to lend boutique hotel vibes. lockeliving.com/en/coming-soon

Just opened: Hôtel & Spa Les Planets, Vaud

This new sustainability-focused hotel north of Lausanne lies deep in the Jura Vaudois Nature Park (14), and boasts a restaurant serving regional specialties, rooms with stunning views of the Jura foothills – some even have an outdoor jacuzzi – and a spa where guests can relax after a day exploring the hotel’s natural surroundings.

Les Planets is an ideal base for many winter activities, including piste skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and uphill skiing (skinning). hotel-lesplanets.ch

Opening soon: Zleep Hotel Zurich and Lausanne

Late 2023 will see the arrival of Zleep Hotels’ first hotel in Switzerland. Located in Kloten near Zurich Airport, just 13km north of Zurich city centre (26), the Zleep Hotel Zurich Kloten will provide a great base for visitors to the city, boasting 90 rooms plus a lounge and bar. Set to open in 2024 is the Zleep Hotel Lausanne, just a few kilometres from Lausanne city centre (15) in Chavannes, which will boast 120 rooms plus a restaurant and bar. The design of both hotels will be Scandinavian, showcasing both modernity and sustainability. zleep.com/en/hotel/zurich-2023

zleep.com/en/hotel/lausanne-2024

© Locke

© Zleep Hotels

© Hôtel & Spa Les Planets

Winter group media trips.

Skiing in Leukerbad and the Région Dents du Midi

When: Monday 15 January - Friday 19 January 2024

Where: Leukerbad (16) and Région Dents du Midi (6)

Skiing level: Advanced

Experience two of Valais’s lesser-known resorts, Leukerbad and Champéry. Scenic Leukerbad is the largest wellness centre in the Alps, home to 65 thermal springs and 30 thermal baths. The ski area here is small but perfectly formed, with 11 ski lifts serving 52km of marked runs (including eight reds and seven blacks). Next on the agenda is the Région Dents du Midi – Champéry, Les Crosets, Champoussin and Morgins – all part of the world’s largest international ski area, Les Portes du Soleil. With 37 lifts and an impressive variety of runs – from groomed boulevards to one of the steepest slopes in the world – the Région Dents du Midi is great for adventurous skiers.

Highlights:

• Ski 52km of pistes in Leukerbad’s Torrent ski area

• Unwind in one (or several) of Leukerbad’s luxurious thermal baths

• Stay in both Leukerbad and Champéry

• Explore up to 600km of state-of-the-art slopes in Les Portes du Soleil

• Try out Le Pas de Chavanette, aka the Black Wall, or the world-cupworthy Didier Défago run, named for the Olympic gold medallist

• Ride the brand new Foilleuse gondola in Morgins

Skiing in the Bernese Oberland

When: January/February 2024 (exact dates TBC)

Where: Bernese Oberland (13)

Skiing level: Intermediate/advanced

The Bernese Oberland refers to the mountains in the southern part of the canton of Bern, and its iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are undoubtedly the symbol of the region. With incredible views, some of Switzerland’s best steeps and big vertical drops, the runs here are long and well worth the climb for seasoned skiers. In addition to the famous resorts of Grindelwald, Mürren and Wengen, the Bernese Oberland is also laced with great resorts that are not even on visitors’ radars. Alongside skiing, the region is full of amazing winter excursions such as the new Eiger Express, which travels through the Eiger North Face on its way up to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.

© My Leukerbad/chrissie.st

© Litescape.Media

© sondereggerfotos.ch

Skiing in Engelberg-Titlis and carnival in Lucerne

When: Monday 5 February - Friday 9 February 2024

Where: Engelberg-Titlis (10) and Lucerne (17)

Skiing level: Intermediate/advanced

Experience Engelberg-Titlis, one of the world’s most snow-sure ski areas, before heading to the city of Lucerne for carnival! Mount Titlis is also one of less than a dozen ski areas worldwide to cover a 2,000m altitude difference from the glacier to the town below. More than half of the heat in Engelberg-Titlis comes from ecological sources and all ski lifts run on hydroelectricity, with the Brunni mountain railway the only climate-neutral, certified facility in Switzerland. After getting your fill of skiing, head on to Lucerne to witness the wonder that is Fasnacht, a city-wide celebration of the end of winter and general pre-Lent blow-out that’s full of fantastical costumes, music and dancing in the streets.

Highlights:

• Explore 82km of pistes (the longest of which is 12km), served by 26 lifts and a snowfall record well above the Swiss average

• Ride on the world’s first revolving cable car up the Titlis, then visit the glacier grotto and cliff walk

• Stay in both Engelberg and the city of Lucerne

• Enjoy a day and night of revelry at Lucerne’s annual Fasnacht carnival

Highlights:

• Two days of intermediate/advanced skiing with the famous Eiger North Face, Mönch and Jungfrau as your epic backdrop

• Explore up to 160km of perfectly prepared pistes, from long, undulating slopes to steep drops, snow parks to racing tracks

• Take a trip on the Eiger Express and Jungfrau Railway up to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe

• Authentic Alpine hospitality at a traditional mountain hotel

© Lucerne Tourism

© Jungfrau Railways/David Birri

Getting around Switzerland.

Swiss Travel System (STS).

Travelling by public transport within Switzerland is not just easy but eco-friendly, with renewable energypowered trains, buses and boats operating all over the country. Steps towards a more ‘Swisstainable’ transport network this winter include a new Park+Ride railway station opening in December just outside Interlaken (12), which will ease motor traffic and encourage visitors to switch from car to train. Tourists in Switzerland can travel on all public transport nationwide thanks to the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers unlimited travel for three, four, six, eight or 15 consecutive days (1st or 2nd class). mystsnet.com

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).

90% of the electricity used to run Swiss trains is generated from hydropower, and SBB’s mission is for all electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2025. The Rhaetian Railway (which runs the Glacier Express and Bernina Express) already operates on 100% hydropower and ranks third after cycling and walking as the most sustainable way to travel in Switzerland. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway has also just introduced energy-efficient ORION locomotives which use oil-free transformers, so Swiss rail travel is truly going greener all the time. sbb.ch

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).

Depending on your travel destination, when booking with SWISS you can now either plan your trip carbon neutral when you book or choose one of SWISS’s brand new ‘green fares’ when selecting the tariff. Whichever you choose, your carbon neutral flight makes a difference. If you choose a green fare, your flight will be made carbon neutral through a fixed combination of the use of sustainable aviation fuels (20% share) and a contribution to high-quality climate protection projects (80% share). And don’t forget when flying SWISS this winter – transporting your skis is free! swiss.com

© Swiss International Air Lines

© Swiss Travel System © Matterhorn Gotthard Railway

19. Martigny

20. Monthey

21. Nendaz

22. Saas-Fee

23. Tenero

24. Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets-Bex

The Blum podcast: Your essential Swiss travel companion

Adapted from its award-winning Spanish predecessor of the same name, Blum is an investigative audio drama similar to popular fiction podcasts like Limetown and The Black Tapes. Set in Switzerland, it takes listeners on a thrilling journey through cities, art museums and antiques shops, on scenic train rides and escapades through the freshly fallen snow. Download Blum now and try to solve the mystery for yourself on your next trip to Switzerland! wallpaper.com/art/switzerland

1. Adelboden-Lenk-Kandersteg

2. Aletsch Arena

3. Andermatt

4. Basel

5. Bern

6. Région Dents du Midi*

7. Geneva

8. Glacier 3000

9. Gstaad

10. Engelberg-Titlis*

11. Evolène

12. Interlaken

13. Jungfrau Region*

14. Jura Vaudois Nature Park

15. Lausanne

16. Leukerbad*

17. Lucerne*

18. Lugano

25. Zermatt

26. Zurich

Where it’s all happening this winter.