The Alps in Winter Without Skiing: 14 Things to Do

Updated October 2026

Short answer: You can enjoy the Alps in winter without skiing at all. The best non-ski activities are sledding (Rodeln) on marked toboggan runs, cable cars to snowy viewpoints, winter hiking trails, thermal baths, Christmas markets from mid-November to early January, horse-drawn sleigh rides and panoramic trains like the Bernina Express. Pick a base town with a train station so everything is a short ride away.

Here’s a little secret from our corner of the mountains: plenty of people who live in the Alps don’t ski every weekend. Winter here is also about sledding, a warm drink at a mountain hut, a walk through a snowy forest and a slow afternoon in a café. So this list is the Alpine winter we love, no skis required. ☕

When is winter in the Alps?

In the valley towns, real winter usually runs from December to early March. Snow in the valleys can come and go, while higher places (above about 1,200 to 1,500 m) hold their snow much more reliably. Ski areas mostly open in late November or early December; in the Dolomites, for example, the 2026/27 Dolomiti Superski season starts on 28 November 2026.

Month	What to expect	Best for
Late Nov – Dec	Short days, first snow, Advent lights	Christmas markets, cozy towns
January	Coldest month, good snow up high	Sledding, winter hikes, frozen lakes
February	Sunnier, longer days, busy holiday weeks	Everything, but book early
March	Spring sun, snow up high only	Cable cars, sunny terraces

14 things to do in the Alps in winter (no skis needed)

1. Go sledding on a real toboggan run

Sledding (Rodeln) is the most popular winter activity in our region after skiing. Many Austrian and Bavarian mountains have marked toboggan runs several kilometers long, often with a hut at the top. You can usually rent a sled at the bottom or at the hut. Some runs are floodlit for night sledding a few evenings a week, so check the local tourist office.

My tip: wear ski pants and waterproof gloves, even for “just a little sledding”. You’ll thank me.

2. Ride a cable car to a snowy viewpoint

You don’t need skis to go up. Most big cable cars run all winter, and many viewing platforms are made for walkers: think of the Nordkette above Innsbruck, the Zugspitze above Garmisch, or the Gornergrat railway above Zermatt with its view of the Matterhorn. Check the weather cam before you buy tickets, because a cloudy day at the top is a very gray picture.

3. Take a winter hike on a cleared trail

Many resorts groom winter hiking trails (Winterwanderwege) that are flat or gently sloped, so ordinary winter boots are enough. They often lead to a hut with lunch. In fresh snow, rental snowshoes open up even more trails, but stick to the marked routes and check the avalanche report for anything off-piste.

4. Visit an Alpine Christmas market

From mid-November to early January, the mountain towns light up. Innsbruck opens first on 13 November 2026, and Bolzano and Merano keep going until 6 January 2027. All the dates are in our Christmas markets in the Alps 2026 guide.

5. Ride a panoramic train through the snow

The Bernina Express runs all winter and climbs to 2,253 m, past frozen Lago Bianco. The Glacier Express restarts on 5 December 2026 after its autumn break. Here’s how they compare.

6. Soak in a thermal bath with a mountain view

Warm water and cold air is a wonderful combination. Merano in South Tyrol has its thermal baths right next to the Christmas market, and there are thermal spas all across the Austrian and Swiss Alps. Bring flip-flops and check whether the sauna area is textile-free (in German-speaking countries it often is).

7. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride

Many villages offer sleigh rides (Pferdeschlittenfahrt) with blankets on your knees, often through a quiet valley to a hut. They need booking, and they depend on snow, so ask the tourist office a few days ahead.

8. Try ice skating on an outdoor rink

Lots of towns set up a rink in winter, some by a Christmas market. Natural frozen lakes are tempting, but only skate where the town has officially opened the ice.

9. Ride a funicular to a hut for Kaiserschmarrn

Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy, shredded pancake with powdered sugar and apple sauce or plum compote) tastes best at a mountain hut. Kids love it. So do I.

10. Watch the ski jumpers

Ski jumping is a huge winter sport here. The Four Hills Tournament around New Year visits Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck (Bergisel) and Bischofshofen. Even outside competition days, the Bergisel jump in Innsbruck is worth a visit for the view.

11. Spend a slow day in a mountain town

Some of our best winter days are simply a walk through a pretty old town, a bakery stop and a museum. Innsbruck, Salzburg, Bolzano, Kufstein and Annecy are all wonderful for this.

12. See a Krampus or Perchten run

In early December, many Alpine villages in Austria and Bavaria hold Krampus runs, where costumed figures with carved masks and bells parade through the streets. Seefeld’s run is on Friday 4 December 2026 at 18:00. They’re loud and a bit wild, so stand toward the back with small kids.

13. Go cross-country on a short loop

Cross-country skiing (Langlauf) is much easier to start than downhill, and rental plus a one-hour lesson is usually enough to enjoy an easy loop. Seefeld and the Engadin are famous for it.

14. Watch the alpenglow

On clear evenings, the peaks turn pink and orange right after sunset. It’s free, it’s beautiful and you can see it from many valley towns. Just look up at the right moment.

Where should non-skiers stay in the Alps in winter?

Choose a town that’s lively without the slopes: a town with a train station, a Christmas market or a pedestrian center, a cable car and a thermal bath nearby.

Innsbruck (Austria): a real city with a cable car from the center to the Nordkette.
Salzburg (Austria): culture, cafés and day trips to the lakes.
Bolzano or Merano (Italy): Christmas markets until 6 January, great food, thermal baths in Merano.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany): the Zugspitze, sled runs and the Kurpark market, 1½ hours from Munich by train.
Zermatt (Switzerland): car-free, with the Gornergrat railway. A splurge, but special.
Seefeld (Austria): a sunny plateau with cross-country loops, winter trails and a market until 6 January.

What should I pack for the Alps in winter?

Waterproof winter boots with good grip (sidewalks can be icy)
Warm layers: thermal top, fleece and a waterproof jacket
Ski pants or waterproof trousers for sledding
Hat, gloves and a scarf or neck warmer
Sunglasses and sunscreen (the sun is strong on snow)
Swimsuit for the thermal baths
Some cash for huts and markets

Is the Alps in winter good with kids?

Yes, especially if you mix outdoor time with warm breaks. Sledding, snowy walks to a hut, carousels at the Christmas markets and a thermal bath with a kids’ pool make for very happy days. Plan one main activity a day and leave room for a warm drink. In our family, a mug of Kinderpunsch (the alcohol-free punch for kids) fixes almost every cold-fingers moment. 🎄

Alps in winter without skiing: questions

What can you do in the Alps in winter if you don’t ski?

Go sledding on a marked toboggan run, ride a cable car to a viewpoint, walk the groomed winter trails, visit Christmas markets, take a panoramic train, relax in a thermal bath or book a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Is it worth going to the Alps in winter as a non-skier?

Yes. Many visitors don’t ski. Stay in a town with a train station, a cable car and a center to walk around, such as Innsbruck, Salzburg, Bolzano or Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

When is there snow in the Alps?

Higher areas usually have reliable snow from December to March. Valley towns can be green until mid-December and between snowfalls.

Can I go up the mountains in winter without skiing?

Yes. Most major cable cars and mountain railways run in winter, and many summit areas have viewing platforms and restaurants for walkers.

Sources (checked 20 October 2026)

Dolomiti Superski 2026/27 season start: dolomitisuperski.com
Glacier Express winter timetable: glacierexpress.ch; Bernina Express: rhb.ch
Seefeld Christmas market and Krampus run: seefeld.com
Christmas market dates: see the sources on our Christmas markets in the Alps page

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