Switzerland FOR
Sports Fans
Switzerland offers a wealth of variety for sports fans, from archair pundits to anyone ready to play. The country is renowned for its world-class winter sports, down the slopes and on the ice, and as the summer heats up, so too do the tennis courts and biking trails.
t A snowboarder and a skier carving a path over the powdery slopes of Valais
Hit the Slopes
With scores of ski resorts and thousands of kilometers of pistes and Nordic tracks to test yourself on, it’s little wonder the Swiss Alps are a year-round training ground for the best winter sports athletes. For big mountain alpine skiing and snowboarding choose from the mega resorts of Verbier or Davos, or for glitz and glamour check-out Zermatt or Gstaad. St Moritz is a favourite for cross-country skiers.
Anyone for Tennis?
Switzerland may have its medal-winning skiers and figure skaters, but tennis has become the de facto national sport thanks to a string of star players, such as Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic. The good news is there are plenty of places to practise, as well as a number of ATP World Tour championships at which to spectate. Consider the Geneva Open (May), Gstaad Open (July) or, the big one on Federer’s home patch, the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel (October).
Active History
A meditative walk around the Olympic Museum in Ouchy is the perfect introduction to Switzerland’s sport obsession. The International Olympic Committee is based in the city, but it’s the museum where you can enjoy a comprehensive look into the history of the movement, including halls dedicated to Olympic torches, sports memorabilia and medals. Zürich, meanwhile, is home to the FIFA World Football Museum, which charts the highs and lows of the world’s most popular sport. Understandably, the most famous attraction is a selfie with the original World Cup trophy.
Switzerland for Sports Fans
Spectator sports
Ice Hockey, Davos
Catch the world’s oldest ice hockey tournament.
Sailing, Geneva
Watch the Bol d’Or Mirabaud, the world’s largest inland regatta.
Tour de Suisse Cycling, Various
Cheer on cyclists on this proving ground for the Tour de France.
Schwingen, Various
Pick your favourite at traditional Swiss folk wrestling bouts.