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Winter mountaineering must be the most masochistic of pursuits, sometimes played out in appalling conditions, and those who wish to have any new route recognised will follow the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) ruling that gives the period for alpine winter ascents to be from 21 December until 20 March inclusive.

Downhill skiing usually begins a week or two before Christmas and continues until Easter, although the altitude of the chosen resort, and snow conditions at the time, will have a major impact on facilities available. The best time for snowshoeing usually runs from January until April, but whenever there’s sufficient snowfall it could be worth getting the snowshoes out. The Alps in winter are at their busiest during the Christmas/New Year period, and in February.

National public holidays are listed below, during which virtually all public offices and shops in Switzerland are closed.

 1 January – New Year’s Day

 March/April – Good Friday and Easter Monday