FAQ

It all depends on what you want to do! For powder skiing, the winter months up until about late March. For ski touring, most huts are open mid-March to mid-May, but you’ll have to check dates on their sites. For classic summer sports, it’s late June until mid October. But… it’s the weather we’re basing this on and each year is different. For our run down of the seasonal characteristics, visit our Seasonal Info page.

It depends. If you are looking to enter the alpine world, and have little experience, then yes. The Alps, while super accessible, are a serious range with many real hazards. Even if you aren’t in the alpine zone, you probably won’t get lost, but you might get overwhelmed due to there being so many trails, huts, logistics, and things to do. Like any mountain range to which you haven’t traveled, planning can be a daunting process. A guide might help fine tune your holiday to maximize your time. ALPSinsight works with many guides and tour operators, all of whom are friends and partners for our own projects. Feel free to contact us with what you’d like to do for your time in the Alps, we will connect you with an appropriate guide.

This is one of the most commonly asked questions. People coming from outside the Alps are typically unprepared for just how good the Alps’ hut system is. With so many activities in the Alps dependent on the huts, it is important to familiarize yourself with how they work and how you can best take advantage of them. We have an entire page devoted to this at The Alps’Hut System.

Most likely, no. Switzerland’s train, bus and tram system is one of the world’s best. The only time you might need a car is if you are on a pure climbing trip and need to move around to some inaccessible areas. Otherwise, look into train passes and/or regional transportation passes. Start with SBB.

There are literally too many things to do in the Alps, and it is overwhelming. This site lists many of the classic to do’s, which truly are worth doing. There is a reason for the classic status. But mix in a few wildcards, see what happens. A bad day out is a rare event. Get to know the area where you’ll be staying by using SwissTopo. Or, don’t think at all and hire a guide service.

Just keep going, be it running or trekking. One thing I’ve learned in the Alps is people just keep doing things no matter what the weather is, you may not see as much, but the weather changes quickly and you might find yourself in pretty special conditions. Use the hut system to its full advantage because you know a warm, dry dining room and bed will be waiting.

Phones work almost everywhere in the Alps. In Switzerland, there is a private rescue service that just about every Swiss relies on, Rega. With their phone app, you are a swipe of a finger away from initiating a rescue. Consider paying for a Rega policy!

We use a combination of SwissTopo and FATMAP. Swiss maps are some of the best in the world and are invaluable for trip planning. The SwissTopo site includes the ability to highlight and show ski tours. FATMAP is a 3D and hi-res imagery map service, like Google Earth for outdoor sports. They are currently implementing SwissTopo into their imagery for the best possible combo of image and map. You can literally see exactly where you will be going. Both are available on the browser or as apps.