Paradise-Level Winter Experience in Switzerland: Learn to Drink Mulled Wine Like a Local

Text & Photos / Yu Tian

Switzerland’s spring is beautiful, with lake and mountain scenery that looks like a fairyland. The snowy winter landscapes are also classic Switzerland. If you love skiing or snowscapes, you must visit Switzerland at least once in your lifetime. Taking a half-day ski lesson is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Switzerland’s ski resorts are arguably the best in the world. How so? It has the longest ski slopes in Europe, every resort has its own ski school, and there are about 4,000 professional ski instructors across the country. Daily individual and group lessons are available, with group courses costing around 50 Swiss Francs per person per day. Skiing is a national obsession in Switzerland — even toddlers who’ve just learned to walk are already sledding. Don’t worry about gear or skiwear here — you can rent everything from head to toe. Suit up and hit the slopes.

▲ Painting of Switzerland (Yu Tian / Acrylic on canvas / Size 20)

Start planning your winter snow adventure in Switzerland now.

▲ The ski chalet covered thickly in snow is so cute. (Photo / Yu Tian)

Here's one of my favorite ski resorts that I’d recommend to everyone.“St. Moritz”— a popular resort town that offers a variety of sightseeing and leisure activities to satisfy all your winter travel needs.

▲ St. Moritz (Photo / Switzerland Tourism)

St. Moritz is a cosmopolitan city nestled in the high Alpine region and by the lakes, surrounded by luxury hotels, spas, and high-end boutiques. Located at 1,856 meters above sea level in the Upper Engadine, it enjoys abundant sunshine all year round. This sun-drenched, champagne-hued sky has become a symbol of St. Moritz, earning it the nickname "Champagne Weather."

The surrounding area of St. Moritz has 350 kilometers of ski runs, all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Corviglia, the local “home mountain,” features Switzerland’s steepest starting slope. Piz Nair’s silver, steep slopes offer a thrilling feeling of flying as you descend from the peak. For sled enthusiasts, you can also speed down on the world’s oldest sledding run in St. Moritz. There’s also a network of cross-country trails loved by advanced skiers. And if you’re not into skiing, no worries — there are nearly 150 kilometers of winter hiking trails for a new snow trekking experience.

▲ St. Moritz (Photo / Switzerland Tourism)

Other sightseeing recommendations:
Besides skiing and winter hiking, what else can you do?

Visit the Segantini Museum 
A museum dedicated to painter Giovanni Segantini, who spent the last five years of his life here.
Museum website: http://www.segantini-museum.ch/en.html

▲ Segantini Museum (Photo / Screenshot from the Segantini Museum website)

The Bernina Express
is one of the most magnificent Alpine crossings: departing from Chur, passing through St. Moritz and arriving in Tirano, it connects different language regions and cultures. The most stunning visual treat is the panoramic journey through the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, where you can ride a scenic train to Poschiavo (Puschlav) on one of Europe’s most beautiful railway lines.

▲ Bernina Express (Photo / Switzerland Tourism)

Muottas Muragl
Offers breathtaking views of the Upper Engadine mountain lake area. In winter, you can take a sled ride from the mountaintop down to the valley.

Bogn Spa
Built in the 1990s, it features a visually minimalist yet luxurious design using different colored marbles, creating an exciting yet peaceful and serene atmosphere. The circular outdoor pool extends from indoors to the open air, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful mountain views while soaking.

▲ Bogn Spa (Photo / Switzerland Tourism)

Visiting Switzerland lets you experience the most complete winter holiday fun. Winter in Switzerland starts in November, but whether you’re skiing, soaking in hot springs, or enjoying cheese fondue in a chalet, the joy of a Swiss winter trip is absolutely “paradise-level.” Nestled in the heart of the Alps, Switzerland has about 100 peaks near or exceeding 4,000 meters in elevation, with average winter temperatures around zero degrees Celsius. Its glacier area spans 1,063 square kilometers, ensuring year-round skiing opportunities — making it a truly professional ski nation with an abundant and everlasting snow supply.

▲Starchy sweets are a favorite among skiers

Swiss people love to indulge in sweet treats after skiing to replenish energy, and they also enjoy warming up with a mug of steaming mulled wine

▲Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of red wine
- 60 grams of brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Ground cardamom (or ready-made canned cardamom powder)
- 1 orange (cut in half)
- 1–2 dried bay leaves
- 60 ml of blackthorn or sloe gin

Instructions:
1. Place the red wine and orange halves in a saucepan along with the bay leaves and cardamom.
2. Heat gently over low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness to your preference—you can add more or less sugar as you like.
3. Remove from heat and slowly add the blackthorn or sloe gin. Add it little by little to control the amount according to your taste.
4. Pour into heat-resistant cups—mugs are recommended.

To follow the author, see:
Yu Tian’s Facebook Page
Yu Tian’s Blog