Winter bucket list for Switzerland 2022/23

Winter is over and, sadly, there are still so many things left on my bucket list! So many reasons: my son’s two broken arms, poor snow conditions (warm weather, wind and so much rain), just not enough time. 

But as in previous years, I was able to check a few things off my list. In 2019, I finally did the crazy sled slides at Leysin. In 2020, I finally went snowboarding and snowshoeing in Zermatt. Keep reading to see what I did in the 2021/22 season and what I still have on my list.

Checked off in 2021/22

Lantern winter trail

I was able to squeeze in one winter lantern trail this year at the Crans Montana Festival of Lights. Yay! I loved every minute and want to every lantern trail everywhere.

Happily I have plenty of lantern trails still on my To Do list. Sattel Hochstuckli does one every Saturday evening from 18:00 – 22:00 through early March (closed now for the season). Schwägalp next to Säntis is another popular one, open every Thurs, Fri and Sat night. On Fri and Sat, the path is a bit longer. During a normal year, you can reserve a fondue or raclette dinner at two restaurants near the path. Must remember to do this next year. 

Full moon snowshoe tour & Fondueplausch

In January, some friends organized a full moon snowshoe tour at Atzmännig and I was so happy to be invited. It was a great experience and so beautiful!!! Sorry I haven’t written up the details yet. But I will before next winter so you can do it too. I had another moonlight snowshoe tour scheduled for the family at Klewenalp in February, but bad weather cancelled that last minute. Boo hoo!

Many mountain areas do 3-4 full moon snowshoe tours a season, hiking to a hut for a fondue dinner. I’m always hesitant to book in advance because you need clear skies to see the full moon and no one can predict the weather. Also, there has to be enough people booking the tour for it to happen. I have my eye on this one in Muotathal near Stoos for next year. 

This pic below is from my solo DIY full moon midnight snowshoe romp back in 2017 when we were staying overnight on Rigi. I loved it but also wondered if wolves might eat me. I’d feel more comfortable in a group.

Cross country skiing

I did manage to go cross-country skiing one time this season. My friend Jennifer generously offer to accompany me and give me basic instructions. We went to the Rothenthurm course, kinda near Einsiedelm. It’s a good course for beginners, since it’s mostly flat and has a variety of distances. I did a 7km loop without crashing – yay me! I’ll write up the details for next winter.

Next year I may try the courses in Einsiedeln, Schwedentritt and Bolzberg Trachslau, with many km of cross-country routes and on-site equipment rental. 

Photo by Thomas Dils on Unsplash

Still on my winter bucket list

1. Ice skating trails

Unfortunately, the Skateline Abula trail did not open in the 21/22 season. So I still haven’t had a chance to skate it. Plus in 2022, a new skating trail opened in Grüsch, making four skating trails in the Prattigau region in southeast Switzerland. And I haven’t done any of them! This must be rectified next season.

photo from PostAuto

2. So many winter hikes!!!

We did a lot of winter hiking this year, because my son couldn’t snowboard with his broken arms. And I loved it more than ever! The more research I did, the more winter hikes ended up on my list. My top winter hike for next year is the trail from Hochwang to Heuberg, about 7km. At the end of the hike, you sled 12 km down the mountain, which they say is the longest sled run in Switzerland (Busalp might not agree).

3. Ice skating on Oeschinensee

I’ve been lucky enough to skate on a few frozen lakes in Switzerland (Türlersee shown below). But in the 2021/22 season, it didn’t get cold enough long enough for most lakes to freeze. Oeschinensee was frozen for a brief period, but I couldn’t make it out there in time. Maybe next year.

4. Ski holiday in the Engadin

I really fell in love with St Moritz and the Engadin region this year when I did the most beautiful fall hikes back in October. I planned to spend at least a weekend there for skiing, but again, broken arms. So hopefully we’ll book something for next winter. Do you have a favorite place to ski in the Engadin?

5. Gstaad Wispile sled run

Last summer, we spend a few days in Gstaad and hiked the trail from Wispile to Lauenensee. In winter, the first 40 mins is a groomed winter trail. Then you sled down to a different valley and take the bus back home. Gotta do it!

6. Snowboarding in the Jungfrau region

I still haven’t made it to the Jungfrau Region for winter – FAIL!!! I’ve crossed Zermatt off my list, but I need to ski with a view of the Eiger. I’ve got so many excuses. It’s too far for a day trip, a bit expensive for just one overnight, difficult to find affordable family lodgings, bla bla bla. The closest I got was visiting the Jungfraujoch in December on a recognizance trip for the blog. If you ski in the Jungfrau region regularly, where should I stay?

7. The longest sled run in Europe at Grindelwald Bussalp 

This sled run near Grindelwald in the Jungfrau region claims to be the longest sled run in Europe at 12.5 km (Melchsee Frutt said they were the longest in Switzerland – who to believe???). I’m pretty sure I might die or be horribly injured, but I still want to go just because it’s so unique. My little dream is to start by riding up to Grindelwald-First, dragging my sled as I hike on the winter trail to Faulhorn (it’s tough, I did it in summer), then sled down the whole mountain. There are lots of options as shown on this map. The most popular is to simply use the bus service to access the sled runs.

See details for Grindelwald Busalp sled runs

8. Overnight in an igloo

I look this up every year and almost convince myself that the CHF 300/pp is worth it for a special occasion. Then I decide I’d rather spend that money on three or four other fun outings for the family. It’s probably less fun than I imagine. Maybe just sitting in our sleeping bags most of the time? But I still kinda want to do it. Iglu-Dorf has locations in Zermatt, Davos, Gstaad and others. Not sure I’ll ever check this off my list.

photo from unsplash

9. Night skiing

I had one glorious night of night skiing a few years ago at Lenzerheide and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. We happened to have lots of fresh powder, no ice, empty slopes, bright moon – all the conditions for a magical evening. But usually night skiing is a bit miserable, slopes iced over after the sun disappears and super cold temps. Plus it only really makes sense when you are staying near the mountain, not having to drive home at 22:00. So basically, you have to get lucky and I’m still waiting.

10. Dog sledding with Huskies

Last and maybe least… Dog sledding is quite popular in Switzerland with lots of mountain areas offering a “husky experience.” Every winter I spend a few hours browsing the husky offers at Muotathal near Stoos. I haven’t booked one yet because a) it’s extremely expensive and b) I’m conflicted about the ethical treatment of animals. What do you think?

photo from unsplash

What else should I add to my Swiss winter bucket list? Let me know in the comments.