Seasons of the Year 4 Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland
Switzerland is the mountainous country in Central Europe. Its territory is situated between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. Land of Switzerland is exceptionally beautiful and very clean for 55% of consuming energy is produced by water-power plants and over 25% of countries’ territory is covered by forest.
The country has continental climate, but actual average weather varies greatly depending on elevation of given region. In general summers in Switzerland are warm and winters are cold and snowy. Over 65% of annual precipitation is snow. Some summits are covered with glaciers. There are many lakes and rivers and scenery is great almost in any point of the country. Resorts and attractions are scattered over Switzerland’s territory.
Climate and Season
Contents:
Crans-Montana
The resort is situated on broad mountainous valley in Bernese Alps at elevation of 1500 m (4920’) above sea level. Crans-Montana is well recognized resort since 1893. Exciting scenery of the region blends with dense cultural life that includes numerous international festivals and prestigious sport events.
Climate in Crans-Montana by Seasons
The resort has cold and wet climate due to its elevation. Over third part of days of a year are rainy or snowy. Snow falls between October and May. Whole spring is pretty snowy, but temperature constantly grows through the season. Daily range of temperatures gradually increases from 5 °C (41 °F) at afternoon and -2 °C (28 °F) at night to 14-5 °C (57-41 °F) respectively. Summer is the single season with complete absence of snow and average high of 20 °C (68 °F) in July. June and August are cooler. Summer nights are still as cool as 8-10 °C (46 °F-50 °F).
Between September and November average high drops from 16 °C (61 °F) to 5 °C (41 °F). In November nighttime temperature drops below freezing to around -1 °C (30 °F). Winter days have around 2 °C (35 °F) and at night there is -5 °C (23 °F). It snows pretty much throughout the season and there is stable snow cover that promotes skiing and other winter sports.
Climate and Seasonality by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| 4°C 39°F |
4°C 39°F |
10°C 50°F |
14°C 57°F |
17°C 63°F |
22°C 72°F |
| ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛷ | - | - |
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 24°C 75°F |
24°C 75°F |
21°C 70°F |
16°C 61°F |
9°C 48°F |
4°C 39°F |
| - | - | - | - | ⛷ | ⛷ |
t° - average; ⛷ - ski
Zermatt
One of the most recognizable resorts of Switzerland is situated on the slope of the Matterhorn in southern Swiss Alps close to border with Italy. Zermatt is situated at elevation of 1620 m (5315’) above sea level. It is one of the world’s top tier ski resorts. Slopes there are pretty steep for pro skiing and snowboarding. On top of it all there are around 33 mountains higher than 4000 m (13120’) around Zermatt.
Climate in Zermatt by Seasons
The resort has cold climate relevant with its altitude. Winters are usually cold and snowy and summers are mildly warm and rainy. General precipitation is well-distributed over a year. Spring is snowy and cool; nevertheless weather becomes warmer with progression of the season. Average highs are growing from 4 °C (39 °F) in March to 12 °C (53 °F) in May. Average lows increase from -5 °C (23 °F) to 2 °C (35 °F) through respective period. Slight probability of snowfall remains in June too, but actual weather is too warm for safe skiing. During summer temperature roams in range of 16-19 °C (61-66 °F) at afternoon and 5-7 °C (41-44 °F) at night. In June through September there is light to moderate rainfall instead of snow.
Snow begins in October and temperature drops to around 4 °C (39 °F) through the season. Nighttime average temperature drops in significant measure and reaches -4 °C (25 °F) in November. In winter average high is 1 °C (34 °F) or around it and at night temperature drops to -8 °C (17 °F).
Climate and Seasonality by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| -4°C 24°F |
-3°C 25°F |
-1°C 31°F |
2°C 36°F |
7°C 44°F |
10°C 50°F |
| ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛹ | ⛹ |
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 13°C 55°F |
12°C 54°F |
10°C 50°F |
5°C 42°F |
0°C 33°F |
-2°C 27°F |
| ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛷ |
t° - average; ⛷ - ski; ⛹ - health
Sankt Moritz
Famous European ski resort is situated in the Engadin Valley in Eastern Swiss Alps. It has unique sunny climate with around 322 of bright days in a year. Many winter sports originate from Sankt Moritz. Among them there are curling, bobsleigh and luge. Other noble sports, such as polo, are also popular there. No wonder that most of visitors of Sankt Moritz are celebrities, politicians and other members of high society.
Climate in Sankt Moritz by Seasons
The resort has cold subarctic climate with moderate amount of snow through winter and comparatively warm and rainy summers. Nights there are cool even in the heist of summer. Spring brings gradual warming. Daily range of temperatures in March is between 4 °C (39 °F) and -10 °C (14 °F) in March and in May it ranges from 0 °C (32 °F) to 13 °C (55 °F). Summertime average highs are 16-19 °C (61-66 °F) and lows are 2-4 °C (35-39 °F). Warmer half of a year is predominantly rainy, but some snow may occur too.
Autumn reduction of afternoon temperature follows from 15 °C (59 °F) to 4 °C (39 °F). Nights become much cooler too with cooling from 1 °C (34 °F) to -9 °C (16 °F). Winter averages are below freezing. There is -1 °C (30 °F) at afternoon and -16 °C (3 °F) at night.
Climate and Seasonality by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| -5°C 23°F |
-4°C 24°F |
-2°C 28°F |
1°C 34°F |
5°C 41°F |
9°C 48°F |
| ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛷ | ⛹ | ⛹ |
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 11°C 52°F |
10°C 51°F |
9°C 48°F |
5°C 41°F |
0°C 32°F |
-3°C 26°F |
| ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛷ | ⛷ |
t° - average; ⛷ - ski ; ⛹ - health
Geneva (wellness resort)
Geneva is the second biggest city in Switzerland. It is situated on bank of the lake of same name close to border with France. Architecture is one of main attractions of the city. There are headquarters of UN, the Red Cross (ICRC), CERN and numerous other international organizations. The world’s largest machine, the Large Hadron Collider, is situated near Geneva too. Numerous museums and other architectural landmarks will provide exiting and informative vacation.
Climate in Geneva by Seasons
The city has warm-temperate climate with significant influence of the Lake Geneva. Summers there are warm and winters are cool with frequent thawing during a day and relatively light night frosts. Unlike surrounding mountains it snows rarely in the city itself. Through spring average highs and lows are progressing from 11 °C (52 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) and from 1 °C (34 °F) to 9 °C (48 °F) respectively. Last bits of snow usually fall in March. In summer afternoons air warms up to 26 °C (79 °F) and then cools down to 12-14 °C (53-57 °F). Precipitation is distributed over a year with some peaks in September and October.
Through autumn average highs are reducing from pleasant 21 °C (70 °F) to cool 8 °C (46 °F). Winter days are usually as warm as 5-6 °C (41-43 °F) and at night there’s around -1 °C (30 °F). Occasional warming or cooling may occur too. Snow starts in late November, but accumulation of snow cover is minor due to frequent thaws.
Climate and Seasonality by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| 1°C 34°F |
3°C 37°F |
6°C 42°F |
10°C 50°F |
14°C 56°F |
17°C 63°F |
| ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ |
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 20°C 68°F |
19°C 66°F |
16°C 61°F |
11°C 52°F |
6°C 42°F |
2°C 35°F |
| ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ | ⛹ |
t° - average; ⛹ - health
