Switzerland Weather in January: Travel Tips for First-Timers

January is the coldest month of the year in Switzerland. There are about 10 days of low rain or snow each January, and it is usually overcast or dark with an average of 2 hours of sunshine a day. This is the best weather for the ski resorts, and you could tour the cities of Zurich and Geneva too.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

Switzerland Weather in January: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: -2–4°C (29–39°F)
• Total rain/snow: 7 cm (3 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 10
• Humidity: 83%
• Sunshine hours/day: 2 hours

January Climate Comparison (Averages) for Switzerland's Top Tourism Areas

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In January, the biggest cities have weather that is generally just above or below freezing resulting in beautiful snowy winter scenery. Most of the country gets about 2 hours of sunshine daily, since most of the approximate 9 hours of daylight are cloudy. You can still enjoy the ski resorts and touring the cities.

Lower altitude: Below about 500 meters (1,600 feet) where the big cities such as Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, and Zürich are, the average January low is -2˚C (28˚F) and highs of 4˚C (40˚F) are typical.

Higher altitude: Above 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) where the ski resort towns and villages such as Zermatt are, average nightly lows are around -8˚C (18˚F) and average daytime highs get up to 0˚C (32˚F).

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The Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in January

Switzerland is one of the most popular places in Europe to tour in both its summers and winters. In the winters, people arrive from around the world for winter resorts and sports in the high mountains, and in the summer, the stunning nature and historic cities are the main highlights.

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1. Zürich — Enjoy the Museums, Restaurants, Architecture, and Scenery

Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and the natural starting point to explore the rest of the region. About 1½ million people live there. It is on the north side of the country close to Germany, and Zürich International Airport is the largest in the country.

Under the airport is the main railway hub station for northern Switzerland. Tourists use it to go to and from the winter resort areas such as Zermatt. This helps to make January a moderate to high season for tourism.

The urban highlights in January are museums, fine restaurants, and old architectural marvels such as the 12th-century Fraumünster Church. Lake Zürich is one of several scenic natural highlights. The modern infrastructure makes touring in the city convenient and comfortable.

2. Zermatt and the Matterhorn — Enjoy Europe's Best Ski Resorts and Winter Sports

For skiing and snowboarding, the high elevation slopes around Zermatt and on the Matterhorn are among the best in Switzerland and better than those at St. Moritz described below because the slopes are the highest.

The ski slopes extend up to 3,899 meters (12,795 feet) on the Matterhorn, and this makes for the best snow and the most exciting skiing in Switzerland. You could do heli-skiing, and there are 51 ski lifts available.

Zermatt is at an elevation of 1,620 meters (5,310 feet) and has an average daily high temperature of about 3°C (37°F). The nightly low temperatures are about -5°C (23°F). The high altitude produces much snowfall, and it snows about half the days of January.

There are a variety of luxury hotels. There is a local ban on cars, so people ride around on horses, buggies, and sleighs. The exceptionally clear January air makes the sharp peaks such as the Matterhorn more striking and beautiful.

Transport: Geneva Airport is about a 2½-hour drive away, and Zürich Airport is about a 3½-hour drive away.

3. Interlaken — Have a White Christmas, Enjoy Winter Sports, and Low-Altitude Activities

Interlaken is a low-elevation resort town two hours from Zermatt. It is amid the large Jungfrau ski region and is called the capital of winter sports in Switzerland. Its elevation is 568 meters (1,864 feet) and provides a warmer space for unfrozen activities, nature appreciation, acclimation, and travel.

Altitude sickness is a common problem for tourists, so Interlaken could be your base for touring the central and eastern areas of Switzerland. Interlaken is between two unusually beautiful lakes. Cruise boats operate in the winter, and people also hike and cross-country ski.

The daily highs average about 3°C (37°F), and there are about 2 hours of sunshine a day and about 9 days of rain or snow each January. When there is rain or snowfall, you could shop for Swiss products. The Beatus Caves are large and always about 9°C (48°F).

Transport: Interlaken is about 2 hours from Zürich by both car and train, and the Zürich airport is best for travel to this region. A popular scenic train takes people to Zermatt in a little more than 2 hours.

4. St. Mortiz — Relax, Bask in the Sun, and Have Fun in Luxury

St. Moritz is in the southeast part of Switzerland near Italy and gets much more sunshine than the rest of Switzerland. There is an average of about 4 hours of sunshine a day, and the sun, hot springs and a beautiful Alpine lake help to make it a luxury resort area.

The elevation is 1,782 meters (5,846 feet), and the daily average highs reach -5°C (3°F), and though it snows about half the days of January, the snowfall is low.

The mineral springs in the luxurious spas draw people for luxurious enjoyment and warmth, and there is also good downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. There are top-tier luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and shops.

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Moderate/High Tourism Season: Touring Advice for January

While in southern Europe it is low season, high in the Swiss Alps, it is peak tourism season for visitors from around the world who flock to the ski fields and resorts. Conditions at higher altitudes are mostly snowy and frozen. Prices peak at the Alpine resort areas such as Bernese Oberland, Valais, and St. Moritz,

Conversely, there is moderate or even low tourism lower down where it is cold though not necessarily frozen. Zürich and other cities with airports and train hub stations experience busy travel, high tourism, and high prices since most travelers spend time in them as they pass through on the way to the mountains.

It is the coldest month, the best month for winter sports, and also a beautiful month for touring the cities. Swiss infrastructure is excellent, so this makes touring the cities more comfortable.

Since it takes time to acclimate comfortably for the high elevations, consider staying at low altitude tourist base towns and cities such as Bern, Zürich, and Interlaken.

Public holidays in January:

• January 1, New Year's Day, is a national holiday. Businesses and government offices close.

What to Wear in January

Prepare clothes suitable for cold and freezing weather including a thick coat and rain gear. Along with your coat, for convenient touring and ducking in and out of heated buildings, dress in layers so you can be comfortable inside and out. Wear heavier winter clothes for the mountains.

Here is a winter packing list for a few essentials in Switzerland:

• Warm hat.
• Warm boots with good traction. Wear them in-flight to travel light.
• Comfortable shoes with good traction.
• Cardigans, thermals, or long underwear.
• Water resistant gloves.
• Universal adapter.
• Polarized glasses to reduce the glare.

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Switzerland

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