Best Time to Visit Swiss Alps

June to September (hiking), December to March (skiing)

Months to avoid: April to May, October to November (shoulder seasons, many lifts and mountain huts closed, unpredictable weather)

Recommended stay: 5-7 days

Plan Swiss Alps for June to September (hiking), December to March (skiing). Give it 5-7 days. The window to avoid is April to May, October to November (shoulder seasons, many lifts and mountain huts closed, unpredictable weather).

What the season gets you

• The scenery is not exaggerated. Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Matterhorn genuinely look like that
• The best train journeys in the world (Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Jungfrau Railway) are here
• Hiking infrastructure is unmatched, 65,000 km of marked trails, all graded and signposted