Switzerland, Europe

Swiss Alps in March

Sunny spring skiing and lively terraces. Lower resorts get slushy late month; go high (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engadin).

GoodSoftening, highs near 41F (5C) low down, spring snow up high

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

The straight answer

March is a good month to visit Swiss Alps. Sunny spring skiing and lively terraces. Lower resorts get slushy late month; go high (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engadin).

Weather: Softening, highs near 41F (5C) low down, spring snow up high
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What March is like in Swiss Alps

March brings sunny spring skiing. Lower valleys warm to about 41F (5C), while snow holds up high. The atmosphere is relaxed, with long lunches on sunny mountain terraces. Late in the month, lower resorts turn slushy, so high resorts like Zermatt, Saas-Fee, and the Engadin are the safest bets. Crowds and prices ease a bit from February.

It suits skiers who like sunshine more than powder, and families who want a relaxed ski week. It is too early for hiking. If you want the high trails open, wait for late June or later.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Swiss Alps this month.

Terrace lunches in the sun

Spring skiing means long, warm lunches outside at mountain restaurants. It is the most social time of the ski year.

High resorts hold their snow

Zermatt, Saas-Fee, and the Engadin keep good snow late into the month, even when lower slopes soften.

Softer snow for learners

Warmer afternoons make slopes more forgiving, which is nice for kids and first-time skiers.

What to pack for March

A lighter ski shell with vents for warm afternoons
High-SPF sunscreen and good sunglasses
Layers you can shed as the day warms
Waterproof gloves for slushy afternoons

Our timing tip

Ski the higher runs in the morning when the snow is firm, then head to lower slopes or a terrace by early afternoon when it softens.

Book Swiss Alps for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Swiss Alps
Opens a hotel search for Swiss Alps in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
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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.
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Tours and tickets in Swiss Alps
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Swiss Alps for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Swiss Alps?

March is a good month to visit Swiss Alps. Sunny spring skiing and lively terraces. Lower resorts get slushy late month; go high (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engadin).

What is the weather like in Swiss Alps in March?

Softening, highs near 41F (5C) low down, spring snow up high.

Is Swiss Alps crowded in March?

Crowds in Swiss Alps are moderate in March; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.