Switzerland, Europe

Swiss Alps in December

Resorts open progressively through the month; Christmas markets glow in Basel, Zurich, and Montreux. The holiday fortnight is peak price and crowd.

GoodCold, highs near 36F (2C), snow arriving

Matterhorn, Swiss Alps — Swiss AlpsPhoto: Roy Egloff, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Swiss Alps. Resorts open progressively through the month; Christmas markets glow in Basel, Zurich, and Montreux. The holiday fortnight is peak price and crowd.

Weather: Cold, highs near 36F (2C), snow arriving
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Swiss Alps

December brings snow and holiday cheer. Valley highs sit around 36F (2C), and resorts open one by one through the month, with high and glacier resorts first. Christmas markets glow in Basel, Zurich, and Montreux. Early December is quiet and reasonably priced, but the fortnight around Christmas and New Year is peak price and crowds.

It suits families who want a snowy Christmas and skiers who can target high resorts early in the month. Book far ahead for the holidays. If you want the best snow with fewer crowds, aim for mid January.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Swiss Alps this month.

Christmas markets

Montreux, Basel, and Zurich hold the big markets through Christmas Eve, an easy pairing with a ski stay.

Early-season skiing up high

Zermatt, Saas-Fee, and the Engadin open first, so early December trips can still find good terrain.

A snowy Christmas in the villages

Car-free villages like Zermatt and Murren feel festive with snow on the roofs and lights in the streets.

What to pack for December

A warm, waterproof winter coat
Insulated boots with good grip
Ski gear or rental plans
Thermal layers, hat, and gloves

Our timing tip

For early December skiing, book a high resort like Zermatt or Saas-Fee, since lower resorts may not open until mid to late month.

Book Swiss Alps for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Swiss Alps
Opens a hotel search for Swiss Alps in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Swiss Alps
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Swiss Alps
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Swiss Alps for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Christmas markets

Late November through Christmas Eve

Montreux, Basel, and Zurich host the big ones, an easy pairing with an early-season ski stay.

Things to do in Swiss Alps

Full guide

Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

The highest railway station in Europe, at 11,332 feet. Book the first trains of the day; midday in summer is a crush. Check the summit webcam before committing, clouds void the ticket's value.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

The Gornergrat railway is the classic view; sunrise trips beat the crowds and catch the peak lit pink. The lake reflection shot is from Riffelsee, a short walk down.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lauterbrunnen Valley and Murren

Seventy-two waterfalls in one glacial valley, with car-free Murren perched above. The Trummelbach Falls, inside the mountain, run April to November.

Tickets and tours →

Grindelwald First cliff walk and trails

The gondola-served balcony above Grindelwald, with the Bachalpsee hike as the headliner. Go before 9am in summer or queue.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Glacier Express or Bernina line

The Bernina route to the south side is arguably the more dramatic ride and needs no seat scarcity panic outside peak weeks. Both run year-round with seasonal timetables.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus

The classic golden round trip: boat across the lake, the world's steepest cogwheel railway up, gondolas down. The cograil side runs roughly May to November.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Ride the famous mountain railways at open of service: the first Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat departures carry a fraction of the midday load and get the clearest air.
Go in September. It is the single simplest fix: stable weather, everything still open until late month, and the August wave gone.
Swap one famous name for its quieter twin: Aletsch instead of Jungfraujoch, Saas-Fee instead of Zermatt, the Engadin instead of the Bernese Oberland.
In February, avoid the school-holiday waves by targeting the middle weeks' edges and booking lift-and-lodging packages months out.

Know before you go

Between seasons are real closures, not just quiet: from roughly late April to late May and from late October into early December, many cable cars and cograils stop for maintenance, and mountain hotels and restaurants close with them. Check the specific lift's operating dates before building a day around it.
The Jungfraujoch railway and the Gornergrat run year-round, and Zermatt offers glacier skiing even in summer, so a handful of headline experiences never fully close.
Mountain huts and the highest trail networks operate roughly late June to late September; earlier than that, snowfields linger on passes even in warm years.
High alpine road passes (Furka, Grimsel, Susten, Klausen) typically open around June and close with the first serious snow in October; the rail tunnels run all year.

Swiss Alps in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Swiss Alps?

December is a good month to visit Swiss Alps. Resorts open progressively through the month; Christmas markets glow in Basel, Zurich, and Montreux. The holiday fortnight is peak price and crowd.

What is the weather like in Swiss Alps in December?

Cold, highs near 36F (2C), snow arriving.

Is Swiss Alps crowded in December?

Swiss Alps is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Swiss Alps in December?

Christmas markets (late november through christmas eve).