Stoos Fronalpstock panorama winter hike

Enjoy spectacular views over Lake Lucerne from this short winter walk at the top of the Stoos ski resort. The snow is groomed, making it possible with normal hiking shoes.

It’s a short walk so best to combine with a meal at the mountain top restaurant and perhaps sled down 3.5 km instead of riding the chair lift. This is a nice choice for non-skiers that want to catch the views and some fresh mountain air in winter.

Trail Overview

Here is the winter map for the Stoos area. The winter walks are shown in pink. You can see the Fronalpstock winter walk on the top right.

There are more winter walks around the village. The dotted pink trails are snowshoe trails that are not groomed. See all Stoos Winter Walks here.

Trail map

This winter walking path starts at the top of the Fronalpstock chair lift and follow along the cliffs. My trail map below is just an approximation. The actual trail on the snow may vary. Be sure to stay on the marked trail.

If you are bringing children, be aware that there are no barriers on most of the trail, so you need to stay well back from the cliffs. Also best not to drag children on a sled on this one – could be dangerous if you lose control of the sled. 

How to get there

Stoos is a mountain resort east of Lucerne. See Stoos on Google Maps. You can drive or take a bus to the funicular station in the valley. Then ride the funicular up to the alpine village and ski lifts.

By car: Drive to the city of Schwyz and follow signs to Stoosbahn. The closest address is Grundstrasse 232, 6430 Schwyz, but best to click through on that link to see the map. There is a parking garage next to the funicular station (pay when you leave, cards ok). Parking CHF 1/hour.

If that’s full, there are metered parking lots across the street. On a busy day, these can fill up and you’ll be directed to an overflow lot with a shuttle. So best to get there by 9:30.

By public transport: Take a train to Schwyz, then bus to Stoosbahn, Schwyz, which drops you directly at the funicular station.

Tickets

For this winter hike, you’ll need the “Peak Experience Winter” ticket (aka “Gipfel-Erlebnisticket Winter”). This ticket includes the funicular train to the Stoos village and the chair lifts up to Fronalpstock, where you’ll find the trail. This ticket is for non-skiers.

In the 2022/23 season, this ticket costs Adult CHF 48 / Child CHF 18 (online price, more expensive in person). Discount for SBB Half-fare and GA cards. Children with a SBB Junior card or under 6 ride free. Check current prices.

Operating times

The winter trail is usually open from mid December to mid March, depending on snow conditions. Check trail status.

The funicular runs 7:10 – 21:40 (later on weekends). The Fronalpstock lift runs 9:00 – 16:15. Check current operating times.

Photo story of the winter trail

Riding the funicular

To reach the Stoos alpine village, you will first ride Europe’s steepest funicular, which is an exciting ride. 

During winter, the funicular runs continuously, leaving about every 12 mins and the ride lasts about 8 mins. Try to stand on the side facing the valley for the best view.

The max incline of the funicular is 110%, which is extremely steep and scary for those with vertigo. I’ve ridden with a few friends that were panicked and couldn’t look, even though the cabins are enclosed and you are perfectly safe.

You exit the funicular at this station here. There is a small kiosk, WC, and rental shop here if you forgot anything.

Arriving in the village

The funicular train drops you off in the village, where you’ll find a few restaurants. Part of the ski area starts to your left. But you will be walking to your right, following signs to the Fronalpstock chair lift (aka Sesselbahn).

Here’s an overhead view of this adorable village.

To reach the Fronalpstock chair lift, you walk a few minutes (about 500m) through the village. This path is also groomed and is used by locals to reach their homes. If the weather has been warm, there can be big grooves in the snow and puddles. Here is a map:

Fronalpstock chair lifts

You’ll scan your ticket to board the chair lift (remember to keep it for the ride back down). The first chair will take you halfway up the mountain, then you get off and board a second chair (shown below) that takes you the rest of the way. The chairs have safety bars and bubbles to keep it a bit warmer.

If you want to sled back down, you can rent your sled here at the first stop on the chair lift.

Start of trail at Fronalpstock

When you get off the chair, walk to the cliff edge (protected with a fence) to get this view.

There is a little viewing platform (on the left side of the pic) that you should visit, where you can get the best pictures.

Here is looking from the viewpoint back at the chair lift and restaurant (snapshot taken from their webcam).

The trail starts to the right, leading away from the chair lift and restaurant. Just follow the groomed path as shown below, which goes along the cliffs at first then loops back around on the slope to your left. I know it’s a little hard to see in this pic. I’ll take more pics next time I go.

Restaurant

When you are done with the loop, warm up at the Fronalpstock Gipfel Restaurant (also a hotel). The restaurant has a self-service area shown below. It also has table service, which sometimes requires a reservation on busy days.

There is lots of indoor seating upstairs with panorama windows.

Then ride the lifts back down to the village. If you want to keep walking, there are other winter walks that wander around the village. See all Stoos Winter Walks here.