Velogemel and sunrise were the best bits
The mountain days were what I loved most: snow, cable cars, sledging, and that early light around Zermatt.
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Switzerland / 27 Dec 2021 – 8 Jan 2022
A practical winter route through the Swiss Alps
Zurich, Bern, Zermatt, St Moritz and Poschiavo in winter. Snow views, Velogemel, sunrise in Zermatt, the Glacier Express, and one very clear lesson about booking for New Year.
Not a full Switzerland guide. Just what I'd want to remember: beautiful days in the Alps, a few city stops, and a reminder that winter travel gets a lot harder if you're casual about where you sleep and what you carry.
The pretty parts are easy to remember. The lesson is even easier: book Switzerland in winter early, especially around New Year.
Zurich to Bern, then Zermatt, St Moritz and Poschiavo, then back to Zurich. Snowy, pretty, and very Swiss, including the prices.
The best bits were simple: Velogemel in the snow, sunrise in Zermatt, and getting around the Alps by cable car, train and snowy road.
Don't wing New Year lodging
Our Zermatt hotel got cancelled, and I learned: book winter stays early, especially New Year, and think about your luggage before picking a place with stairs.
Pick a stop
Europe Winter 2021/22, the mountain bits.
Zurich and Bern, handy places to start.
Glacier 3000
Snow, height, and finally proper Alps.
Velogemel
Still the most fun thing I remember.
Zermatt sunrise
One of the big reasons I remember this trip.
Glacier Express
On to St Moritz and Poschiavo.
Poschiavo base
A quieter, handy base after the famous stops.
Zurich + Bern
City stops before the mountains
Zurich and Bern were where we stayed before heading into the mountains. Not full city guides, just what we did: Old Town walks, Christmas markets, the lake and the landmarks, and a few food names.
In Zurich: Old Town, Grossmunster, Lake Zurich, Fraumunster, Illuminarium at the National Museum, and The Nest at Storchen Zurich. In Bern: Bear Pit, Einstein Haus, Kunstmuseum, Berner Munster, Zytglogge, Bundeshaus, and the Christmas market.
Glacier 3000 + Grindelwald First
Snow days start here
Here it stopped being about cities and started being about doing stuff in the snow. Glacier 3000 was the high-up part: the Peak Walk by Tissot, walking on the glacier, the Ice Cathedral, playing in the snow. Grindelwald and First were the fun part: sledging, Velogemel, getting around the mountain.
Zermatt
The sunrise made the whole trip worth it
Zermatt is the picture that stuck: sunrise, snow, and how quiet it is before everyone's out. Also on the list: time in town, the Matterhorn Museum, Gornergrat Railway, Gornergrat Observatory, and maybe Glacier Palace, Sunnegga and Wolli's Park.
St Moritz + Poschiavo
After Zermatt: trains, roads, quieter places
Glacier Express to St Moritz, then the St Moritz and Poschiavo part of the trip. Short list: Muottas Muragl, snowshoeing, Lake St Moritz, Corviglia and Piz Nair, and Poschiavo as a quieter base.
Final Takeaway
Worth it, if you plan properly
Compared to the 2020 Europe trip, Europe Winter 2021/22 taught me more about planning. More Switzerland, more mountains, and a good reminder that pretty winter views come with hard-to-find rooms, annoying luggage, and a very real bill.
Don't copy every stop. Keep the mountain highlights, book New Year early, and leave enough slack that the snow days are fun, not just logistics.