A winter holiday in the Alps does not require skis. From Geneva Airport you can reach resorts and valleys where snowshoe trails, thermal baths, long sledging runs, dog-sledding outings and spectacular mountain railways fill the days just as well; Chamonix is about 90 km and 1 h 15 away, Zermatt's gateway at Täsch around 2 h 35. A chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch gets non-skiers, and mixed groups, to the right place without the logistics of skis and lift passes.
- Snowshoeing: marked trails in nearly every resort, guided outings available
- Thermal baths: outdoor pools in the snow, for example at Leukerbad in Valais
- Sledging: dedicated toboggan runs, some several kilometres long
- Dog sledding: offered in the Jura and several Alpine valleys
- Scenic trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gornergrat and Montenvers railways
Snowshoeing: the easiest way into the winter mountains
If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Modern snowshoes clip onto ordinary winter boots, and with poles they let you leave the cleared paths and explore silent forests, frozen meadows and viewpoints. Most resorts mark dedicated snowshoe trails, separate from ski pistes, graded by difficulty and often looping past mountain restaurants. Equipment is rented in sports shops, and local mountain guides lead outings with avalanche safety equipment, including sunset and full-moon walks. Off marked trails, the avalanche risk is real, so go with a guide unless you have the knowledge and gear. The Jura near Geneva is perfect for a first try; in the Alps, Champex-Lac, the Vallée de Joux, the Chamonix valley and the area around Gstaad are lovely settings.
Thermal baths and spa days
Floating in a hot outdoor pool while snow falls is one of the great pleasures of an Alpine winter. Leukerbad, in a high side valley of Valais beneath dramatic cliffs, is Switzerland's best-known thermal resort, with large indoor and outdoor pools fed by hot springs. Lower in the Rhône valley, Saillon and Lavey-les-Bains also have thermal pools within easy reach of Montreux or Martigny. Many hotels in resorts such as Gstaad, Crans-Montana, Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz have their own spas with pools, saunas and treatment rooms, often open to non-residents on a day basis. A spa afternoon is also the ideal recovery day for skiers in a mixed group.
Sledging and other snow fun
Sledging, or tobogganing, is taken seriously in Switzerland. Many resorts groom dedicated runs, some winding several kilometres down through forest, served by a lift or train back up. The Grindelwald area is famous for long runs, and Zermatt, Villars and Saas-Fee all have sledging routes; in the French Alps, most resorts have a sledging area for children. Rental sledges are available at the top. Helmets are sensible, especially for children, and evening sledging on illuminated runs is offered in some places. Ice skating on natural or artificial rinks, curling sessions for beginners and horse-drawn sleigh rides round off the list of classic winter activities.
Dog sledding: a memorable morning
Being pulled through the snow by a team of huskies is an experience many children and adults remember for years. Mushers offer rides and introductory sessions in the Jura, in the Haute-Savoie valleys and in parts of Valais and the Bernese Oberland. Formats range from a short ride as a passenger on the sled to half-day sessions where you learn to drive your own small team after a briefing. Book ahead in school holidays, dress very warmly, and expect to meet and handle the dogs before setting off, which is half the fun for children.
Scenic trains in winter
Some of the world's most famous mountain railways run all winter, and snow makes them even more striking. The Glacier Express links Zermatt and St. Moritz across the Alps in panoramic carriages. The Bernina Express climbs from the Engadine over the Bernina Pass and descends to Tirano in Italy, on a line listed by UNESCO. The Gornergrat railway from Zermatt climbs to a viewpoint facing the Matterhorn and a ring of glaciers, while the Jungfrau railway reaches the Jungfraujoch high on the Bernese Oberland's ridge. Near Chamonix, the Montenvers rack railway runs to the Mer de Glace glacier. A chauffeur can drop you at one end and collect you at the other, which saves the return journey.
- Base for variety: Zermatt, Chamonix or St. Moritz, each with trains, spas and walks
- Base for calm: Champex-Lac, Gstaad or the Vallée de Joux
- Base for spa time: Leukerbad, with easy access to the Rhône valley
Booking winter transfers for non-skiers
Reserve your transfer on AirportsTransfers.ch and the fixed price per vehicle is visible before you pay online with a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur waits at Geneva Airport arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight and waits if it is delayed. Vehicles are equipped for winter roads; the Mercedes V-Class carries up to seven people and their luggage, and child seats are fitted on request. A chauffeur by the hour (minimum two hours) is useful for linking a spa, a train station and your hotel in one day. For tailored winter plans, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
