Travelers find the best weather in Switzerland during July and August. Highs each day through most of the country are just above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows at night are in the 50s. Not coincidentally, that is also when tourist areas are at their most crowded. Alpine flowers are at their peak in May and June. These months are a little cooler, the ski crowds have left, while the summer visitors have not yet begun to arrive in large numbers. October is also nice, and although some resorts and attractions are closed, it is still possible to get low season bargains. November and early December tends to be foggy in the mountains, and there is little foliage. Skiing The time around Christmas and New Years, then from February to Easter is considered the prime ski season in Switzerland. because the mountain resorts are so popular, it is good to make reservations as much as a year in advance. During the day, it can reach the 40s on the slopes during January and February. Lows may drop into the teens and 20s. Other Swiss Sports While skiing is an extremely popular pastime in Switzerland, there are a number of sports enjoyed by the Swiss that are unique to the country. Hornussen is sort of a mixture of lacrosse and baseball, in which players use bats to swing at a flying disc. The name comes from the German word for hornet, because the sound the disc makes as it flies is said to resemble the sound made by that insect. Schwingen is a wrestling match in which a participant tries to grab the opponent's oversized shorts in an effort to unbalance him. Waffenlaufen is a race in which competitors must carry a loaded mountain rucksack, including a rifle. |
