Get inspired: Read our Winter News & Trips 2022/23 media booklet.

Completion of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing.

An 80-year-old vision is finally about to become a reality thanks to the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, due to be completed in early 2023. Once open, the new Matterhorn Glacier Ride II will form the last section of the crossing, connecting Zermatt and the Italian resort of Cervinia, and will be operational year-round. The highest continuous Alpine cable car crossing, the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing’s total journey time will be 13 minutes and the final section will descend from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Snow Xperience Plateau Rosa in Italy in four minutes (7.5m/s). The combined cost for the Matterhorn Glacier Rides I and II is over £88 million. Find out more.

Launch of the new Goldenpass Express.

The idea to link Lake Geneva and the lakes of Thun and Brienz dates back to 1873, but on 11 December, the launch of the new GoldenPass Express will mark the first non-stop train route between Interlaken and Montreux. The new trains will combine metric and standard gauge, bridging the gap between mountain railways and high-speed trains, and will feature 2nd class, 1st class, and Prestige class, where there will be 18 rotating seats so passengers can enjoy 360o views. An onboard catering service will also provide cuisine showcasing local products. Find out more.

SWISS introduces flights from Bristol to Zurich.

New to the SWISS network is the first-ever direct service from Bristol to Zurich. This new route will be served once weekly from 4 February 2023 until the end of the winter 2022/23 season. The new service will be operated with SWISS Airbus A220 equipment and the Embraer E190 aircraft of wet-lease partner Helvetic Airways. The new route should prove especially popular among winter sports enthusiasts in the UK. Find out more.

Launch of the new Jungfrau Ski Region ski pass.

The Jungfrau Ski Region boasts two valleys, three mountain ranges and 211km of perfect pistes, all against the beautiful backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. Skiers and snowboarders have everything – gentle slopes, steep drops, snow parks, racetracks and more. This winter, the Jungfrau, Grindelwald-Wengen and Mürren-Schilthorn ski passes will be replaced by one ski pass, valid for the whole Jungfrau Ski Region. Also included in the pass is the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) with direct connections to the Grindelwald Terminal and Interlaken. The new pass will cost £67/day. Find out more.

Glacier 3000 opens a new black piste.

This winter, Glacier 3000 will open a brand new, super steep 3km black piste, running from Cabane to Pillon in the Pierres Pointes sector. The run, with a steepest incline of 41° and an altitude difference of almost 1,000m, will open following a whole summer of work, including the new 265m tunnel built through the Rocher Jaune mountain, which has created a new connection between the summit of Scex Rouge and the Col du Pillon via Red Run, Martisberg and the new black piste. Find out more.

Opening of the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern.

Following a meticulous renovation, Lucerne’s iconic Belle Époque landmark will re-open as the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern on 24 September 2022. Situated on Lake Lucerne near the beautiful Old Town, the hotel will have four restaurants headed up by award-winning executive chef Gilad Peled, plus a state-of-the-art spa and gym. Most of its 146 rooms boast private balconies or terraces with stunning lake or mountain views. Find out more.

© Jestico+Whiles

Christmas festivities and Hotel Noël in Zurich.

During the Christmas period, Zurich offers a huge selection of festive experiences, including three major Christmas markets, daily outdoor concerts, light shows, pop-up restaurants, processions, chalet bars and exhibitions. What’s more, between 26 November and 26 December, visitors to Zurich can book into the city’s Hotel Noël, a special project where 10 artists design 10 rooms in 10 hotels across the city, just for the festive season. Find out more.

100 years of Hesse’s ‘Siddhartha’ in Ticino.

Some of author Hermann Hesse’s most well-known books were written in Ticino, including ‘Siddhartha’ (1922), which is considered one of the most successful books of the 20th century. The village of Montagnola, where the Nobel prize-winner lived for almost 43 years, is now home to the Museo Hermann Hesse Montagnola, which will be hosting a fascinating commemorative exhibition, ‘Hermann Hesse’s journey to Siddhartha’ until 5 February 2023. Find out more.

© Ticino Turismo/Luca Crivelli
© Mark Niedermann

25 years of the Fondation Beyeler in Basel.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Fondation Beyeler in Basel. Since its foundation in 1997 by collectors and gallerists Ernst and Hildy Beyeler, it has become one of the most visited art museums in Switzerland. To mark the occasion, from October to January 2023, the Fondation Beyeler will display more of its extensive collection than ever before. ‘The Great Collection Show’ will feature nearly 400 works by leading artists dating from 1800 to the present day. Find out more.

Winter wellness on the shores of Lake Geneva.

La Maladaire beach on Lake Geneva is welcoming a new sauna and lake swimming experience this winter! Steam on the Water was set up by locals as a place of relaxation during the colder months, and its sauna can accommodate up to 20 people, while visitors can also enjoy drinks and snacks in the heated seating area or enjoy lake views from the yurt. The sauna, beach and yurt are open from October to April and entry costs £16 for two hours. Find out more.