Switzerland has several glaciers where you can experience snow, even in summer. Some offer sledding and other fun amusements like suspension bridges and ice caves. Although these destinations are quite expensive, it can be worth it if you have never seen snow. Here are the best places in Switzerland to play in the snow in June, July and August.
How much do these summer snow destinations cost?
These destinations are rather expensive to visit, as you have to pay for the cable cars and mountain railways to reach the high elevations. Plan to spend about CHF 80 – 200+ per adult for a round trip ticket. Children aged 6-15 are usually half-fare. Children under 6 ride free.
But you can get discounts with travel passes like Swiss Travel Pass, SBB Half-fare Card, regional travel passes, and overnight guess passes. So check these discounts before booking your tickets.
Some attractions, like suspension bridges and ice caves, at these destinations are included. Some provide free sleds. But others charge extra for sledding and amusements like the alpine coaster. So make sure to account for this in your budget.
1. Titlis
The Titlis glacier near Lucerne is a popular tourist attraction, with gorgeous views and fun amusements. From Engelberg, you ride a gondola, then a rotating cable car to “Kleine Titlis”, a viewpoint on the glacier at 3028m. You can stroll around on the snow, cross a suspension bridge, and explore an ice cave. In summer, there is summer skiing and snow tubing on a short piste.
Location: cable car leaves from Engelberg (see on map). From Lucerne, 40 mins by car, 55 mins by train
Time: Plan for about 3 hours. The journey from Engelberg to Titlis is about 35 mins each way.
Cost 2022: CHF 96/adult return trip. Free with Tell Pass. Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, and Swiss Half-fare Card.
Learn more about visiting Titlis
2. Jungfraujoch
At 3,454m (11,332 ft), the Jungfraujoch is the highest rail station in Europe, with amazing views of the enormous Aletsch glacier and many mountain peaks in the Jungfrau region. At this tourist complex, there are indoor and outdoor observation decks, an glacier ice cave, multimedia tour of the history of this place, restaurants and gift shops. In summer, there is a snow fun park where you can go snow tubing for an extra fee.
Location: cable car leaves from Grindelwald Terminal (see on map). From Interlaken, 30 mins by car or train
Time: Plan for at least 3 hours. The journey from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch is about 1 hour each way.
Cost 2022: CHF 214/adult from Grindelwald Terminal. Discount with Jungfrau Region Pass, Berner Oberland Regional Pass, Swiss Travel Pass, and Swiss Half-fare Card.
Learn more about visiting Jungfraujoch
3. Zermatt Matterhorn Paradise
In Zermatt, you can ride the highest cable car in Europe to reach the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It has a small viewing platform, a glacier ice cave to explore, restaurant, and summer skiing and sledding on the glacier. In summer, they provide free snow tubes to use on the slope near the restaurant.
To be honest, this is not my favorite snow experience. I prefer Titlis for both the views and amusements. But if you are going to Zermatt and want to see snow, this is a good choice.
Location: cable car leaves from Zermatt (see on map).
Time: plan for about 3 hours – cable car ride 45 mins, visit at top 30-45 mins
Cost 2022: CHF 120/adult in July & August, otherwise CHF 109. Includes suspension bridge, chair lift to snow fun park, sleds for fun park. Extra fee for alpine coaster and dog sled.
Learn more about visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
4. Glacier 3000
Using cable cars, you can ride up to Glacier 3000 near Gstaad, where you get fantastic panorama views over an enormous glacier. They have a variety of activities including a bouncy suspension bridge and alpine coaster. At the summer snow fun park, there are free sleds to use on a short snowy slope shown above. You can also hike across the glacier to another viewpoint and restaurant.
Location: cable car leaves from Col du Pillon (see on map). From Gstaad, 20 mins by car, 30 mins by bus
Time: plan for about 2-3 hours, longer if you plan to hike
Cost 2022: CHF 80/adult for cable car return trip. Includes suspension bridge, chair lift to snow fun park, sleds for fun park. Extra fee for alpine coaster and dog sled. Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half-fare Card, GA and SBB Day Ticket.
Learn more about Glacier 3000
5. Saas Fee – Mittelallalin glacier panorama terrace
Saas Fee is a mountain resort in the Valais, near Zermatt. Above the car-free alpine village lies the Fee glacier, which you can visit year round. Using the Metro Alpin underground train, you can reach Mittelallalin (3500 m) on the glacier, where you’ll find a panorama terrace, ice cave and restaurant. They offer 20 km of pistes for summer skiing from mid July through end of October.
Location: cable car leaves from Saas Fee (see on map).
Time: plan for about 3 hours – mountain train ride 40 mins each way, visit at top about 1 hour
Cost 2022: CHF 75/adult. Discount with Saastal Card which overnight guests receive for free. Includes entrance to ice cave.
Learn more about visiting Saas Fee Millelallalin and Ice Pavilion
6. Saas Fee – Langfluh glacier lakes
Less expensive (and more fun IMHO) than Mittelallalin, the glacier lakes at Saas Fee Langfluh are accessed with a gondola and cable car ride. If you are staying overnight in the area, you can visit this glacier for free with your Saastal Card.
You get fantastic up-close views of the glacier from the restaurant. Then a short walk on the snow to view the beautiful bright blue glacier lakes.
Location: cable car leaves from Saas Fee (see on map).
Time: plan for about 2 hours – cable car ride about 25 mins each way, visit at top about 30-60 mins
Cost 2022: CHF 58/adult. Free with Saastal Card which overnight guests receive for free.
Learn more about visiting Langfluh glacier lakes
