Fun in the snow away from the piste

Time: 5 min

Fun in the snow away from the piste

A week of skiing with the kids is standard for many families during the sports holidays. If you fancy a change, here are seven tips for other exciting activities in the snow.

Text: Claudia Landolt

Pictures: Amici del Nara, Aletscharena, Iglu-Dorf, Kandersteg Tourist Office, Crans-Montana Tourisme & Congrès, Weisse Arena Gruppe, Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus

This article was updated in January 2023.

1. magical winter hikes

Soak up the sun and enjoy the fresh mountain air, hike through snow-covered, tranquil forests and admire the majestic peaks - you can do all of this in Valais, for example. The Aletsch Arena, which includes Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp, even won the Swiss Holiday Oscar for peace and relaxation in 2020. Everything here is cosy and relaxed.

One hiking route that is ideal for children is the five-kilometre-long, easy circular trail along the Bettmeralp forest promenade.

The leisurely circular hike leads through the beautiful village of Bettmeralp.

All winter hiking trails in Valais and detailed information on the winter hiking trail Waldpromenade Bettmeralp: www.valais.ch > winterwanderdern

2. spend the night in an igloo

Sleeping in an igloo village in winter is the equivalent of sleeping in hay. There are comfortable options for families or couples with their own whirlpool, a so-called kota, to warm up in. There is also a private toilet. In the igloo village in Gstaad, for example, you sleep at around 2000 metres above sea level - and in the igloo village in Zermatt even at 2727 metres above sea level. Guests are provided with thermal mats and sheepskins and equipped with high-tech expedition sleeping bags that are designed to keep them warm at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees.

The Matterhorn is calling! An icy, beautiful panorama opens up from the igloo window.

More information about the igloo hotels in Davos Klosters, Gstaad and Zermatt: www.iglu-dorf.com

3. tobogganing in the city or in sunny Ticino

The small winter sports region of Nara in the Blenio Valley in Ticino is a little insider tip for sledging fans who fancy the sun, south and snow. A speedy toboggan run down the valley offers plenty of fun. At ten kilometres long, the toboggan run is the longest in Ticino.

An insider tip: the 10-kilometre-long toboggan run in the Blenio Valley in Ticino.

From Leontica, take the chairlift up to Pian Nara at 1900 metres. The toboggan run starts from here. The route runs between snow-covered slopes, through coniferous forests and small village centres with typical Ticino stone houses. If there is enough snow, you can sledge five kilometres further down to Leontica. More information can be found here.

There are other great sledging routes in Bergün or on the Belalp, for example. We have presented a few more great routes for families here: Our weekend on the sledge.

4. with ice axe and crampons on a climbing tour

For those who like it vertical and icy, ice climbing in frozen waterfalls and icicles will make your heart skip a beat. The climbing paradise of Kandersteg also has something to offer in winter. There are icefalls of varying degrees of difficulty. Of course, ice climbing requires appropriate equipment, the right knowledge and the necessary caution. We therefore recommend a course or a guided tour with a mountain guide before setting off on your own.

Kandersteg: ice climbing at Oeschinensee and frozen waterfalls right next to it.

More information about ice climbing in Kandersteg can be found here. There are also other ice climbing opportunities on Engstligenalp BE, in Pontresina GR and in the Viamala GR region.

5th Yaktrekking in Crans-Montana

Yaks are robust but stubborn cattle from Tibet, which sporty families can march along with. In Crans-Montana, this is possible all year round - in winter it is a special spectacle and particularly popular with families. At this time of year, the almost five-kilometre march can be combined with a fondue in a cellar in the old village centre or an aperitif including mulled wine in the style of the yak herder.

In Crans-Montana, children are also welcome to accompany the yaks.

You can find more information about yak trekking in Crans-Montana here. A snowshoe hike with yaks is also offered on the Göscheneralp. You can find an experience report here.

6. in search of wild animal tracks in the Bargis Valley

The beautiful, car-free Bargis high valley lies above Flims Fidaz in the Surselva region of Graubünden and is famous for its beautiful cross-country ski trail. In winter, the route around the wildlife zone offers families a wonderful opportunity to hike with snowshoes through this wonderfully quiet and sunny high valley.

Information boards along the hiking trail indicate where which wild animals live and hibernate. They also indicate the protection zones for wild animals, which hikers are not allowed to enter.

A chamois foraging for food. In winter, they slow down their metabolism in order to use their valuable energy to get through the cold season. — A chamois looking for food. In winter, they slow down their metabolism to get through the cold season.

The Berghaus Bargis offers overnight accommodation and, with a bit of luck, you can marvel at the infinitely clear starry sky at night. If you want to find out more about the life of wild animals, you can organise an experienced hunter at the local tourist office, who can tell children all about paw prints in the snow, rabbit bumps or hair on a tree stump.

7. ice skating

In addition to the numerous artificial ice rinks, there are also various natural ice surfaces throughout Switzerland that can be used in winter when conditions are favourable. The frozen lakes in the Jura in the Vallée de Joux or the ice path in Madulain are impressive examples.