Western Switzerland: 10 Winter Activities (hidden gems)
#1 Ice Skating on lakes
Major cities like Montreux, Vevey, or Lausanne usually have a skating ring located within the city. However, some of them are made out of artificial ice and their city environment is not as magical as skating on natural lakes!
While lakes are magical, they also depend strongly on the weather. But they are a true wonderland to experience once! Here are some of my favs:
Patinoire de Caux
- nestled in a forest, this is magical in the evening. Small but there is not a lot of people. You can rent the shoes there and enjoy drinks and snacks too. My favorite!
Patinoire de Champex
- Often referred to as the "Small Swiss Canada", the lake is located in a cute mountain town and can become a skating ring when the conditions are good.
Lac Retaud
- A beautiful lake to hike to during the summer and with the right conditions can be skated one!
Schwarzsee/Lac Noir
- Quite a big lake surrounded by a beautiful scenery.
Lac de joux
- The largest natural ice skating ring in Europe. Fans of hockey and ice skating come here from the region when the weather permits it! You can rent skates at the "Cordonnerie Mouquin" (Le Sentier).
#2 Les forets du Risoux (also written Risoud)
During the Winter, there are many pistes for Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. In the winter, you can access the forest from La Combe du Vert (which is above les Rousses) or from Combettes (above the Bois d'Amont). Along your way you might find cabins; there are about a dozen within the forest. They used to be for the lumberjack and are now for the hikers. Some even stay for the night! They are free but very primitive...
You can either walk on your own and bring your food and just explore, or you can book a guided tour where you will learn a bit about the history of the forest and enjoy a nice fondue or local food.
#3 Visit the Ice Palace at Schwarzsee
The same lake where you can Ice skate on! Located in the Vallee of Schwarzee, let yourself travel in a mystical adventure.
You can walk for a little but surrounded by ice sculptures decorated with lights. Eating the fondue there, is a must, and don't forget to reserve for it! You can also just snack and get drinks.
#4 Piste de luge (Sledding) in des Diablerets
The longest sled run in Switzerland. It will take you about 30 minutes from the top and you will have fun for sure! On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 18h30 and 21h, you can even sled down with a headlamp and enjoy a nice drink and fondue at the bottom! A must do during the day or at night!
#5 Hike from Villars-sur-ollon to Ensex
One of my favorite Winter hike! A nice day roundtrip hike with beautiful views and with fresh snow, it looks like a winter wonderland movie.
The full round trip can be quite long and is not for everyone. If you like shorter versions there are some short cuts!
The full itinerary: the start is at Villars-sur-Ollon (route du col de la croix behind the Royalp); walk a bit and turn left towards the Chemin the Bretaye until Col de Soud; Continue walking up towards the Golf Club; follow the pink signs for snoeshooeing towards Ensex; take either of the two routes towards the Route du Col de La Croix; hike on the road downwards towards Villars and you will close your loop! Takes a few hours and requires snowshoes.
Shortcuts: Take the train to the "Golf" or "Bretaye" and start from there.
Restaurants on your way: Col de Soud, Golf club restaurant, La verneyre.
#6 Hikes from Haut-de-caux
Situated right above Montreux, the views are amazing! You can park your car in the parking lot in front of the restaurant le "Coucou". From there, locals go to "La Perche", "La buvette de Jaman", or"Col de Jaman". For the first two, it is fun to go backcountry skiing (La perche is one of my favorite backcountry spot around Montreux). The "Col of jaman" is reachable by foot or by snowshoeing!
#7 Hikes from Cergniaulaz
Lots of locals from Montreux and around hike here in the winter! You can park you car in front of the restaurant.
From there, we usually snowshoe or go backcountry skiing. There are quite a few hiking options but I love to go to the Folly or the Molard! Pretty easy and not too hard (good for beginners; this is where is learned to backcountry ski).
#8 Hike from Cergnement to Solalex
One of my favorite place when I was a kid to go in the winter. There, you can do some cross-country skiing, sledding (for kids), a tour with dogs, snowshoeing, or just walk with snow boots!
The view is nice and you can make your way up to Solalex, where there is two small restaurants and a few "chalets". The way up is not too long nor exhausting. Great spot for families!
#9 FatBike in Villars-sur-Ollon
A great activity other than skiing or hiking in Villars. You can rent the bikes in the various shops in Villars and then take the train up to "Bretaye". Great activity if you like adrenaline!
#10 Chemin des lanternes (Lantern path) in Pleiades
In between January and February (Fridays and Saturdays - 18 to 23h), you can hike in the snow (snowshoeing or just snow boots) at night following hanging lights. There are two paths that you can take (20 or 45 minutes) for a unforgettable experience. You can finish your hike with a fondue or raclette at Chalet-Restaurant des Pleiades or Restaurant 1209, in Lally.
You can start your adventure in Vevey and take the Mob (train) up there and back down. You can also pay for the whole packet (train, snowshoes, fondue, warm drink) at www.mob.ch
Definitely a fun and unique way to spend an evening!
That's it!
Of course, as a local I could recommend you a hundreds of other winter activities! But these are my favorites ones of the less-known ones in the area!
Thank you for reading, I hope this can give you some inspiration for your next adventure!
Emi
Western Switzerland: 10 Winter Activities (hidden gems)
#1 Ice Skating on lakes
Major cities like Montreux, Vevey, or Lausanne usually have a skating ring located within the city. However, some of them are made out of artificial ice and their city environment is not as magical as skating on natural lakes!
While lakes are magical, they also depend strongly on the weather. But they are a true wonderland to experience once! Here are some of my favs:
Patinoire de Caux
- nestled in a forest, this is magical in the evening. Small but there is not a lot of people. You can rent the shoes there and enjoy drinks and snacks too. My favorite!
Patinoire de Champex
- Often referred to as the "Small Swiss Canada", the lake is located in a cute mountain town and can become a skating ring when the conditions are good.
Lac Retaud
- A beautiful lake to hike to during the summer and with the right conditions can be skated one!
Schwarzsee/Lac Noir
- Quite a big lake surrounded by a beautiful scenery.
Lac de joux
- The largest natural ice skating ring in Europe. Fans of hockey and ice skating come here from the region when the weather permits it! You can rent skates at the "Cordonnerie Mouquin" (Le Sentier).
#2 Les forets du Risoux (also written Risoud)
During the Winter, there are many pistes for Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. In the winter, you can access the forest from La Combe du Vert (which is above les Rousses) or from Combettes (above the Bois d'Amont). Along your way you might find cabins; there are about a dozen within the forest. They used to be for the lumberjack and are now for the hikers. Some even stay for the night! They are free but very primitive...
You can either walk on your own and bring your food and just explore, or you can book a guided tour where you will learn a bit about the history of the forest and enjoy a nice fondue or local food.
#3 Visit the Ice Palace at Schwarzsee
The same lake where you can Ice skate on! Located in the Vallee of Schwarzee, let yourself travel in a mystical adventure.
You can walk for a little but surrounded by ice sculptures decorated with lights. Eating the fondue there, is a must, and don't forget to reserve for it! You can also just snack and get drinks.
#4 Piste de luge (Sledding) in des Diablerets
The longest sled run in Switzerland. It will take you about 30 minutes from the top and you will have fun for sure! On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 18h30 and 21h, you can even sled down with a headlamp and enjoy a nice drink and fondue at the bottom! A must do during the day or at night!
#5 Hike from Villars-sur-ollon to Ensex
One of my favorite Winter hike! A nice day roundtrip hike with beautiful views and with fresh snow, it looks like a winter wonderland movie.
The full round trip can be quite long and is not for everyone. If you like shorter versions there are some short cuts!
The full itinerary: the start is at Villars-sur-Ollon (route du col de la croix behind the Royalp); walk a bit and turn left towards the Chemin the Bretaye until Col de Soud; Continue walking up towards the Golf Club; follow the pink signs for snoeshooeing towards Ensex; take either of the two routes towards the Route du Col de La Croix; hike on the road downwards towards Villars and you will close your loop! Takes a few hours and requires snowshoes.
Shortcuts: Take the train to the "Golf" or "Bretaye" and start from there.
Restaurants on your way: Col de Soud, Golf club restaurant, La verneyre.
#6 Hikes from Haut-de-caux
Situated right above Montreux, the views are amazing! You can park your car in the parking lot in front of the restaurant le "Coucou". From there, locals go to "La Perche", "La buvette de Jaman", or"Col de Jaman". For the first two, it is fun to go backcountry skiing (La perche is one of my favorite backcountry spot around Montreux). The "Col of jaman" is reachable by foot or by snowshoeing!
#7 Hikes from Cergniaulaz
Lots of locals from Montreux and around hike here in the winter! You can park you car in front of the restaurant.
From there, we usually snowshoe or go backcountry skiing. There are quite a few hiking options but I love to go to the Folly or the Molard! Pretty easy and not too hard (good for beginners; this is where is learned to backcountry ski).
#8 Hike from Cergnement to Solalex
One of my favorite place when I was a kid to go in the winter. There, you can do some cross-country skiing, sledding (for kids), a tour with dogs, snowshoeing, or just walk with snow boots!
The view is nice and you can make your way up to Solalex, where there is two small restaurants and a few "chalets". The way up is not too long nor exhausting. Great spot for families!
#9 FatBike in Villars-sur-Ollon
A great activity other than skiing or hiking in Villars. You can rent the bikes in the various shops in Villars and then take the train up to "Bretaye". Great activity if you like adrenaline!
#10 Chemin des lanternes (Lantern path) in Pleiades
In between January and February (Fridays and Saturdays - 18 to 23h), you can hike in the snow (snowshoeing or just snow boots) at night following hanging lights. There are two paths that you can take (20 or 45 minutes) for a unforgettable experience. You can finish your hike with a fondue or raclette at Chalet-Restaurant des Pleiades or Restaurant 1209, in Lally.
You can start your adventure in Vevey and take the Mob (train) up there and back down. You can also pay for the whole packet (train, snowshoes, fondue, warm drink) at www.mob.ch
Definitely a fun and unique way to spend an evening!
That's it!
Of course, as a local I could recommend you a hundreds of other winter activities! But these are my favorites ones of the less-known ones in the area!
Thank you for reading, I hope this can give you some inspiration for your next adventure!
Emi