When to Go

Spring and fall are beautiful times to visit anywhere in this region. During the summer, temperatures reach an average of 18-20° C (65-68° F), which is comfortable, but crowds tend to pick up, especially in Gruyères. During a heat wave it's not unusual for temperatures to soar to 30° C (86° F). In winter the average temperature is 0-3° C (32-38° F). In the pre-Alps region there can be long periods of snowfall. January is great for winter sports. You can't be sure of snow in December, and in February some canton or other (not to mention the Germans, English, Dutch, and Italians) will invariably have school vacations, so slopes get pretty crowded. When the snow lasts, March can also be great for skiing.