Last Updated:February 09, 2025, 15:37 IST

Dreaming of your next vacation? Start planning now for a snowy escape to Switzerland, where winter transforms the Alps into a wonderland. From snow-covered peaks to cozy cheese fondue and festive Christmas markets, Swiss Decembers are pure magic.

How early is too early when it comes to holiday planning? Never, you could argue. With winter in its fag end and summer hovering over the Indian plains, would it be too premature to dream a little dream of snow? Absolutely not, you might say. And you are correct. Hundred per cent. What’s wrong in living life from one grand vacation to the next? Nothing, of course. And what if that next vacation is in Switzerland, the crown jewel of Europe? All the more reason to start planning early, draw up the itinerary, work out the estimated expenses, do some shopping. Et cetera. Et cetera. Right? The year, filled with anticipation and excitement, would pass by like a breeze. And you could be on a plane to Geneva on a cold December day before even realising it.

Wait, what? All that is fine, but why Switzerland in the middle of winter, you might ask. Well, there are plenty of reasons. True, in summer, the Swiss mountains bask in sunny glory, the valleys don a lush green cover, and the cities bustle with warm energy, radiating a captivating beauty. But that’s no reason to overlook the magic of a Swiss winter. If you are the adventurous type and the cold doesn’t scare you, winter is the season for you. Here, we give you three (of many, many) reasons why December in the Alpine nation is pure joy.

Say Cheese

How about some cheesy delight, and then some more, and then a whole lot more? With the chill setting in outside, indulge in delectable dishes made from the famous Swiss cheese that would blow you away. Yes, the pungent smell of cheese hanging in the air in a traditional Swiss restaurant could hit you hard initially, especially if you are new to cheese-capades. But one bite of bread dipped in warm, melted, perfectly seasoned cheese from a fondue pot—and you would feel what happiness tastes like. The Swiss are proud of their dairy heritage and have an array of melted, bubbling, and exquisitely flavoured dishes that will delight your palate. Cheese is a staple all year round, but winter adds an extra wow factor to fondue, which is more than a meal. It’s an experience worthy of a connoisseur. If you are still looking for something more, how about some raclette with a side of boiled baby potatoes and pickles? And if you fancy non-vegetarian stuff, Swiss cuisine has you covered. Go for some freshly caught trout or perch grilled to perfection—a seafood lover’s delight. Or you can indulge in a juicy steak for a hearty meal.

Switzerland, in fact, is a melting pot of world cuisines, offering vast options. For example, the desi restaurants serving quintessentially desi food in Interlaken, a picturesque Swiss town that serves as a gateway to majestic mountains (‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ was shot there). Savour whatever you can, and then go for a long walk—visit the tourist hotspots or just wander about aimlessly. The choice is yours. In the wintry chill, you wouldn’t feel a thing. Before you know it, your 10,000 steps would be over, and you would be ready for the next meal. Because in Switzerland, indulgence isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience.

Festive Cheer

In winter, Switzerland becomes a wonderland with festive cheer hanging in the crisp, cold air. The evenings glow with warmth, Christmas trees adorn every corner, and upscale streets sparkle with festive lights. The sights and sounds of the festivities make for a sensory experience like no other. And then there are the Christmas markets, selling bread to jackets and handicrafts. You can order a cup of spiced Glühwein, or mulled wine, and take a stroll around these seasonal congregations that you will find from the bustling Geneva to the serene Interlaken. Even if you spend hours there, not one second would feel like a drag. Watch revellers breaking into impromptu dance steps to the tune of rhythmic drumbeats, children bursting out in laughter in play areas, friends and families enjoying an intimate meal at chalets serving cheese and traditional Swiss food. The Christmas vibe is just unmistakable.

And if you happen to be in Geneva in December, you would surely know the answer to this question: what’s better than one festival? Two festivals, of course, you would say. For December is the time when festivities collide on the streets of Geneva. It’s not just Christmas. In the first two weekends of the last month of the year, Genevans mark their triumph over an attempted invasion by the Duke of Savoy on the night of December 11–12, 1602. Legend has it that a woman who was making a cauldron of soup late at night saved the day. She spotted the invaders scaling the city walls to mount a surprise attack. In an act of quick-thinking, she threw her piping hot soup at the first soldier that approached her. The ensuing melee alerted the Genevans, who fought valiantly and defended their city. Each December, Geneva transforms for L’Escalade. Costumed parades fill the streets, torchlight processions wind through the city, and the historic battle is reenacted in a grand spectacle. Songs are sung to honour Genevan courage. Chocolate cauldrons, filled with marzipan vegetables, are sold in every chocolate shop and bakery in commemoration of the lady who saved the day.

Snow Show

A Swiss winter adventure wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the snow-covered peaks of the majestic Alps. A train journey to the foothills from cities such as Geneva or Bern is an experience in itself. Each frame out of the train window is straight out of a painter’s canvas: deep blue lakes, verdant valleys and magnificent mountain peaks capped with pristine white snow. The moving gallery captures different hues of nature where sleet and snow gradually crawl on to the captivating Swiss countryside as the train chugs ahead. You can visit the proud peak of Schilthorn, which hosts the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant that has been made famous by the 1969 James Bond film, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. One stop down by cable car, you can indulge in a host of fun activities.

For example, The Thrill Walk on the edge of Birg mountain offers an exciting blend of adrenaline-pumping fun and nature-watching. It’s a suspended cliff walkway that’s bound to thrill you. Here, you can also go skiing if you have a bigger appetite for adventure. Bonus? Look out over the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks covered in pristine white, and the dreamy winter scenery of Lauterbrunnen Valley below. You can spend the night at the car-free village of Murren. And if you are lucky, snowflakes raining down from the sky in freezing, sub-zero temperatures would welcome you to a postcard-perfect world. Take a walk along the lonely roads flanked by chalets aglow with twinkling festive lights, quaint hotels, dreamy houses and welcoming eateries. You would go back with memories that would last a lifetime.

Or you might want to visit Jungfraujoch (why not both?). Called “Top of Europe”, Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres (11,332 feet). There is an open-air steel walkway serving as an observation point; you would find a large Christmas tree there. Make your way to the world of white, feel the snow below your feet, and lose yourself in the magnificence of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps stretching over 22 kilometres (14 miles). And once done with sightseeing, enjoy a hearty meal at one of the mountaintop restaurants overlooking the peaks covered in snow.

Switzerland in winter is a magical experience. You have to see the Alpine scenery to believe it. So, if you are planning a grand vacation but are not sure about the destination, look no more. Switzerland is waiting.