Weather

December is not a very cold month. Down on the Swiss Plateau, it’s typically between 3℃ to 15℃, and sometimes it can be quite warm.

By the way, a white Christmas is extremely rare. Most of you may think of a white Christmas as it is in the other states, but in Switzerland, this is not very common.

But up in the Swiss Alps, it’s a bit different because it’s a lot colder there. 

Usually, above 1500 meters (4921 ft), there is a pretty good chance of snow, and you may have your true Swiss white Christmas.

Regarding the length of the days, December has the shortest daylight. It gets bright around 8 in the morning, and the sun sets at 4:30 pm.

Because of this, make sure you get up early since your daylight is limited. I suggest leaving the hotel no later than 8:30 am.

Otherwise, you arrive late and then have very little time to explore the Swiss beauty.

Christmas Day

I think most of you have a wrong idea about how Christmas is in Switzerland. The 25th of December just going to be very boring.

Everyone celebrates Christmas on that day, which is why the shops and everything else are closed. Everyone enjoys Christmas with their families.

But if you really want to experience Christmas in Switzerland in a more interesting manner, then I suggest going up to the Swiss Alps because many hotels have Christmas specials.

It’s better to avoid the cities; they’re going to be boring.

Christmas Markets 

In large cities like Zurich, Basel, Montreux, and so on, you’re going to find a lot of Christmas markets scattered throughout the cities.

These Christmas markets open in late November and close in late December, sometimes even after Christmas. It’s definitely great to explore these markets. 

You will find many stalls where you can buy really beautiful souvenirs and presents for Christmas, and also try some of the local delicacies.

You must try mulled wine, raclette, sausages and more.

There are also Christmas markets in smaller cities; however, they’re only open for a limited time, sometimes just for a week or even just for one or two days.

So, you must check the opening times on Google; otherwise, you may travel to the city and then realize the Christmas market isn’t even open.

Attractions

In December, a lot of attractions are closed, such as caves, cable cars, and even some of the peaks.

They’re not going to be open all the time, and sometimes they may even be totally closed.

So, make sure you check the opening times because, just like with the Christmas markets, you might find out that an attraction is closed.

On the other hand, Switzerland’s charming alpine villages give you a glimpse of traditional Swiss life, especially during the holiday season.

Villages like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Saas-Fee are enriched with festive decorations and twinkling lights, creating a magical ambiance.

I recommend visiting one of these villages in December.

Also, Switzerland is home to lesser-known gems that offer unique experiences.

If you have time and want to explore more, consider exploring Andermatt, Arosa, and Gstaad to immerse yourself in a perfect winter wonderland.

World-Class Ski Resorts And Skiing

Switzerland is a popular destination for skiing. December is the starting month of the vibrant ski season.

Zermatt, Verbier, and St. Moritz ski resorts are world-renowned for their exceptional slopes and luxurious amenities.

Whether you’re an expert skier or a beginner, you can ski in these resorts.

Up in the Swiss Alps, above 1500 meters (4921 ft) or 2000 meters (6561.6 ft), there’s a pretty good chance of snow, and many of the ski resorts open in mid-November.

However, it highly depends on the amount of snowfall. In years like 2015 and 2016, there was not much snow around, so this is something you can’t really predict.

Hiking

December is really not a great month for hiking because most of the trails are still closed.

The best time for hiking is usually from mid-June to the end of October.

However, there are some winter hiking trails. These are usually the best when there is snow; for example, the one up to the Zinal glacier is perfect for winter hiking.

Food

Pre-Christmas time is really great for tasting delicious foods. You will find a lot of local delicacies that are very seasonal.

You can try cheese fondue, which is especially nice to have in a tent or up in the Swiss Alps.

You can also try Chinese fondue, which is based on the idea of steamboat, and raclette.

You will find these mouthwatering foods at various Christmas markets or even in restaurants.

Sometimes it’s still hunting season, so you may have deer as well.

This is definitely an interesting time for food enthusiasts.

Pass Roads

Most of the pass roads are closed in December. There are some pass roads like the Julier Pass and Bernina Pass that are open during this season.

They’re actually open all year because they’re not very high up.

However, passes like the Gotthard pass and Nufenen pass are going to be closed for sure.

If you want to access one side of the valley to the other, some parts of Switzerland have car train tunnels such as the Vereina Tunnel, Furka Base Tunnel, and Albula Tunnel.

But keep in mind that the waiting times can be very long, especially if you want to go back on a Sunday evening when you may queue for one to two hours.

Peak Season

December is also considered as peak season. This has much to do with the many Christmas markets and people already having school holidays.

In mid-December, a lot of people start to travel. The cities and hotels are getting busy.

So, make sure to reserve your accommodation early, but note that the prices are going to be a bit higher because of the peak season.

The same goes for the Alps, especially when it comes to skiing. Between Christmas and New Year, it is one of the very peak seasons for skiers, and hotels.

I suggest booking your hotels at least two or four months in advance.