In spring in Switzerland, many mountain resorts close, taking a break between ski season and summer season. During this time, the cable cars, restaurants, trails, and other services are not open.
However, popular tourist mountains and some lower elevation mountain are open in April, enabling you to enjoy mountain views while we wait for the snow to melt. Here are mountains scheduled to be open during April 2024.
If you want to hike, see our Best Spring Hikes for Switzerland
Note: all opening times are subject to change without notice. Most resorts state that lifts may close without notice due to bad weather or snow. Check websites carefully before heading out.
What to expect on Swiss mountains in April
For the lower elevation mountains, if the cable car is open that also means that the restaurants, amusements, and at least some trails are open. I’ve noted exceptions in my list below.
For higher elevation tourist mountains, the viewpoints and restaurants near the cable car station will be open. But the trails are probably closed due to snow and trail damage. Most mountain websites will list the trail status so you can plan.
In April, it’s common for some mountains to only open on weekends and during the Easter holiday. Then they start daily operation later in the season when the trails are accessible. Please check actual opening times and trail conditions before heading out. Weather (especially wind and snow) can close everything at a moment’s notice.
Even if trails are open, they may have snow patches, ice, mud, and damage from landslides. So proceed with caution during this time.
Note for public transport: In April, some buses and boats reduce or stop service to certain mountain areas. So check the schedules carefully before making plans.
Zurich & Eastern Switzerland
1. Hoher Kasten (1,791m)
Open from 29 March 2024
This mountain is located in the Appenzell region of Eastern Switzerland. At the top of the cable car, there is rotating restaurant and large panorama terrace where you can enjoy views of the Alpstein mountain range.
The cable car is open mostly year round, except in March. Trails from the top are usually ready in June.
Learn more about visiting Hoher Kasten
2. Mt Säntis (2,502 m)
Open year round
Mt. Säntis is a pyramid-shaped peak in eastern Switzerland, near the Austrian border. You can ride a cable car to the summit of Mt. Säntis, where you’ll find a restaurant, hotel, and several outdoor viewing platforms where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Swiss and Austrian Alps.
You can visit Säntis all year round, making it a good choice for tourists in spring. In April, it’s not uncommon for there to be snow on the summit, so best to dress warmly and bring gloves. When we visited in early April 2018, there was more than a foot of snow from a recent storm.
Learn more about visiting Mt Säntis
3. Chäserrugg (2,262m)
Weekends starting mid April
Chäserrugg is a mountain viewpoint at in the Toggenburg region southeast of Zurich. The ski resort there is usually open through the first half of April.
After the ski resort closes, the cable car up to the Chäserrugg viewpoint and restaurant runs on weekends and public holidays through spring. Daily operation for the Chäserrugg cable car starts 10 June 2023 but the higher elevation trails often have snow through end of June.
Learn about Chäserrugg • Current conditions
4. Kronberg
Open Easter weekend, then daily from 6 April 2024
Kronberg is a low elevation mountain at the edge of the Alpstein mountain range in the Appenzell region. Because the snow typically melts earlier here, they are one of the first mountains to open for summer season.
A cable car takes you up to 1663 m, where you get a fantastic view of the Alpstein mountain range, including Mt Säntis. The restaurant at the top is a nice place to spend more time with the view, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Back in the valley, there are lots of amusements including an alpine coaster, zip line ropes course, and huge playground.
Learn more about Kronberg • current status
Lake Lucerne Region
The Lake Lucerne region has the most mountain viewpoints to visit in spring. See also Lucerne Spring Travel Guide.
5. Mt Rigi (1,798 m)
Open year round
This tall mountain near Lucerne is a popular tourist destination year round. Our favorite way to visit Rigi is on the Rigi Classic Round Trip (possible in April), which starts with a boat ride from Lucerne to the base of the mountain. Then you ride a cogwheel train to the top, where you can stroll around a large panorama terrace along the cliffs. At the top, there is a restaurant with a lots of outdoor seating.
In April, you may be able to hike part of the Panorama Trail, which leads down the mountain to a lower train station. But definitely wear waterproof snow since April snow tends to be wet and slushy.
Learn more about Mt Rigi • Current conditions
6. Mt Pilatus
Open year round
Mt Pilatus is a tall rocky mountain very close to Lucerne city, another popular tourist destination like Mt Rigi. In April, you can ride a cable car to the Pilatus Kulm observation deck, where you’ll get spectacular views across the Swiss Alps. At the top, there are a couple restaurants and short hikes to other viewpoints, including a cliff walk. But in April, these may be closed due to snow.
On your way back down the mountain, you can stop at the Fräkmüntegg station to ride the summer toboggan, which opens for summer season on 7 April 2023. But it may close temporarily due to bad weather.
If you can wait until mid May, you can visit Pilatus on the Golden Round Trip, which starts with a boat ride, then steep cogwheel train to the top and later descending on the cable car. Plus the hikes and ropes park will be open then.
Learn more about visiting Mt Pilatus • Current conditions
7. Stanserhorn (1,898 m)
Open from 13 April 2024
Visiting this mountain near Lucerne is a bit of an adventure. You start by riding a vintage funicular train. Then you transfer to a double-decker cable car where you can stand on the open-air roof. At the top, you’ll find a self-service café and full service restaurant that rotates, so you can see all the views through the large windows.
You can wander the top on a short and easy path that visits other viewpoints. Along the way, there are picnic areas with grills, rather unique for a mountain top like this. They also have a small marmot enclosure, which can be a fun way to meet this typically Swiss animal.
It’s best to book in advance because you reserve a specific time slot and reduce your wait time. In April and May, you can get a discounted “Good Morning Ticket” if you depart earlier than 9:30 am. You can also book a tour from Zurich.
Learn more about visiting Stanserhorn • Current status
8. Mt Titlis (3,239 m)
Open year round
The tallest mountain peak you can visit near Lucerne is Mt Titlis at 3,239m. You can ride a rotating cable car to a visitor center on the glacier, so you can play in the snow even in summer. At the top, you’ll find a large snowy plateau where you can enjoy the view, a suspension bridge, ice cave, and restaurants.
In summer, I would suggest stopping at the Trübsee middle station on your way back down and visit the alpine lake there. But in April, it will probably have snow and won’t be ready for hiking yet.
Learn more about visiting Mt Titlis
Bernese Oberland
In early April, most ski resorts in this region are open through mid to late April. You can still visit several mountain viewpoints but don’t expect to hike. See more spring ideas for Bernese Oberland.
9. Grindelwald First
Open from mid December to late October
This mountain above the Grindelwald village has some of the nice views in the Jungfrau Region. In April, you can ride the gondola up to the First station at 2,168m. At the top, there is a restaurant with a nice panorama terrace. The main attraction is the First Cliff Walk, which is a metal walkway built into the side of the mountain.
In April, this area will likely have snow. If conditions are good, you may still be able to hike on the Bachalpsee winter trail, which will have groomed snow. Starting in May, the amusements open including the zip line, mountain go carts, and scooters.
Learn more about Grindelwald First • current conditions
10. Jungfraujoch
Open year round
The Jungfraujoch is the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. From Grindelwald, you ride a cable car, then a cogwheel train to the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters. At the top, you can admire the Aletsch glacier, the longest in the alps, from expansive observation decks, both indoor and outdoor.
There’s also a big glacier cave to explore, a multimedia tour of the site’s history, and multiple restaurants and gift shops. In April, you can walk around on the glacier snow, but the snow fun park with snow tubing doesn’t open until mid May.
Learn more about visiting Jungfraujoch • current conditions • Book tickets
11. Schilthorn
Open year round, short break 22 – 26 April 2024
From the Lauterbrunnen valley, you can ride a series of cable cars up to the Schilthorn Piz Gloria peak at 2,970m. At the top, there is a fenced observation deck with telescopes, where you can get a great view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. There is also a revolving restaurant and a “Bond World” exhibit where you can learn about the James Bond movie that was filmed here.
In April, you can visit the Schilthorn until ski season is over, usually the third week of April. Then they close for a short maintenance break, this year from 24 – 28 April 2023.
Learn more about Schilthorn • Current conditions
12. Niederhorn
Open from 20 April 2024
This tall mountain is just north of Interlaken. To reach the top, you ride a funicular train then cable car up to a spectacular viewpoint over the cliffs down to Lake Thun. In April, there is often snow at the top. But you can enjoy a warm drink and meal at the restaurant with a view. If there has been warm weather, you may be able to stroll along the ridge and/or ride the mountain scooters at the middle station.
Learn more about the Niederhorn • Current conditions
13. Harder Kulm
Open from 29 March April 2024
The closest mountain to Interlaken is Harder Kulm, with the funicular train just a 5 minute walk from the village and main train station. At the top of the funicular, there is a restaurant and viewing platform, where you can admire the Jungfrau Region mountains and two lakes below.
It’s open much later than most other mountains, until 9pm in April. So this could be a nice place to have dinner and watch the sun set.
Learn more about Harder Kulm • Book tickets
Ticino
Spring comes earlier to Ticino, the southern part of Switzerland south of the alps. So it can be warmer and greener in April than other Swiss regions.
14. San Salvatore
Open year round
San Salvatore is a mountain on the south side of Lugano city. You can reach the top by riding a vintage funicular. Then a short walk up some stairs to a beautiful panorama viewpoint over Lake Lugano. There is a restaurant up there, with a lovely outdoor terrace, reservations definitely recommended.
If you feel like hiking, San Salvatore is the starting point for a popular hike to Morcote, considered by some the most beautiful village in Switzerland.
Learn more about San Salvatore • current status • Book guided tour
15. Monte Bre
Open year round
You can visit this mountain overlooking Lugano year round, except a short maintenance break in late January. You can ride a series of funiculars to the top for fantastic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. In April, you should be able to hike on the trail down to the lake. Then either take the boat back to Lugano or walk back along the lakeshore.
Learn more about Monte Bre • current status
16. Monte Generoso
Opens weekends in March, daily starting 1 April 2024
This mountain is south of Lugano, near the Italian border. You can ride a cogwheel train to a viewpoint at 1600m, where you can admire many mountains and Lake Lugano from a safely enclosed terrace. At the top, there’s a restaurant, a small playground and plenty of room to wander.
You can do a short hike up to a higher viewpoint, definitely recommended. If you want a longer hike, there’s a nice loop trail that starts along the ridge, dips into the forest, and traverses back around the mountain ending on some cliffs near the restaurant.
Learn more about Monte Generoso • current status• webcam
17. Cardada Cimetta (1,340 m)– Locarno
Open from 11 March 2024
The Cardada mountain overlooking Locarno and Lago Maggiore usually starts its summer schedule in mid-March. If weather permits, you can already start hiking in early April. They have a fun playground and scavenger hunt activity for children at the middle station.
Learn more about Cardada Cimetta • Current conditions
18. Monte Tamaro
Open from 25 March 2024
This mountain near Lugano has fantastic views and fun amusements including a thrilling alpine coaster, ropes climbing park, zip lines, and indoor water park in the valley. The gondola and attractions open in April, though they may close temporarily in bad weather. The trails in this area are often ready in April unless we get a late snow storm.
Suggested hike • Current conditions
Lake Geneva Region
19. Rochers de Naye
Open mostly year round
From the center of Montreux on Lake Geneva, you can ride a cogwheel train to the top of Rochers de Naye at just over 2000m. In April, this mountain will probably be covered in snow, so you will just focus on enjoy the mountain views from the lookout near the restaurant. If you are staying in the area, you get a discount on the ride with your Montreux Riviera guest card.
Learn more about Rochers de Naye • current conditions
20. Glacier 3000
Open year round
Tourists can visit the Glacier 3000 viewpoint any time of year. At the top of the cable cars, you can walk across a 100m long suspension bridge connecting two mountain peaks. You can do a walk on the glacier snow to a restaurant and viewpoint on the other side of the glacier.
In April, this area is still open as a ski resort, so the summer amusements aren’t open. The alpine coaster is scheduled to open 8 May 2023.
Learn more about Glacier 3000 • current status
2 responses
Hello, i saw somewhere that some of the cable cars are going to be under maintenance in the next couple weeks. I wanted to see if you had any information. As we are flying in next sunday and have been following your page for inspiration. 🙂
Sorry I’m late on this, I was on holiday. I hope you found some fun things to do. You may find my spring posts helpful. https://swissfamilyfun.com/spring-switzerland/