November in Switzerland: the in-between month
Hiking's over, skiing's barely started. What's shut, what's open and what's on in Switzerland this November.
November is Switzerland's in-between month: hiking season is mostly over and ski season has barely begun. Plan ahead and it can still be a great month. The sun is often just above the fog, the Christmas lights go up, and the first slopes open very soon.
Dates checked 2 November 2026 for November 2026.
Why November feels different
November is Switzerland's quietest month for tourism. In 2025, Swiss hotels counted 2.38 million overnight stays in November, the lowest of any month and under half of August's 4.99 million.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS): tourist accommodation in 2025 (German, PDF), 25 February 2026. Checked 2 November 2026.
In the mountains it is quieter still. Canton Graubünden's statisticians describe November as the low point of the year, with many hotels closed (gr.ch).
- Shorter days. In Zürich the days keep getting shorter all month, and the sun sets before most people leave work.
- Fog season. Autumn is peak fog time on the plateau north of the Alps (MeteoSwiss). The city can sit under grey for days while the hills above are sunny.
What's closed or limited
Summer kit is packed away and winter kit isn't up yet. Expect gaps, and check before you travel.
| What | What to expect | Real example |
|---|---|---|
| Cable cars and mountain railways | Many stop for a few weeks of annual maintenance (Revision) between seasons. | Glacier 3000: closed from 19 October to 6 November 2026, ski season from 7 November 2026. The Pilatus cog railway runs roughly May to November (zuerich.com). |
| Ski areas | A few high or glacier areas open early, often weekends only. Most start in December. | This winter, Davos Klosters: Parsenn on the weekend of 13 to 15 November, then daily from 20 November; Jakobshorn daily from 4 December; Rinerhorn and Madrisa from 18 December; Pischa from 26 December 2026. |
| Mountain hotels and restaurants | Many close between seasons so staff can take holidays and rooms can be renovated. | One Graubünden hotelier says his valley goes quiet from November until Christmas (SRF). |
| Alpine passes | High passes close for winter, some as early as October. | Furka and Susten have been closed for winter since 28 October 2026. The Gotthard pass is open by day only, closed from 18:00 to 08:00. |
| Mountain hiking | Higher trails can be snowy or icy, and days are short. Huts and summit restaurants may be shut. | Check the hut or restaurant is open before you rely on it. |
Source: Glacier 3000: opening times. Checked 2 November 2026.
Source: Davos Klosters: operating times 2026/27. Checked 2 November 2026.
Source: Canton Uri: Susten and Furka close for winter (German). Checked 2 November 2026.
How to plan
- Check the operator's own site the week you go. Opening dates move with the snow.
- Book mountain stays early. With fewer hotels open, the ones that are fill up on weekends.
- Driving over the Alps? The TCS pass page shows live status for 77 passes. Use the tunnels if a pass is shut.
Source: TCS: passes in Switzerland (German). Checked 2 November 2026.
- Book your tyre change. Garages get busy once the first snow falls.
- Start early. Plan walks to finish well before dark, and carry a head torch.
- Chase the sun. If it's grey in town, check the MeteoSwiss app. Going up a few hundred metres, or south to Ticino, can find blue sky.
What's still good in November
Quiet doesn't mean empty. A few ideas:
- Walk low. Lake paths, vineyards and forest trails near town stay open, with fewer people on them.
- Climb out of the fog. On a grey day, a hill near the city can put you above a sea of cloud.
- Warm up. Thermal baths, spas and saunas come into their own.
- Go indoors. Museums, galleries and concert seasons are in full swing.
- Ski early. A few high ski areas open this month. Glacier 3000 starts on 7 November and Davos Parsenn on 13 November.
Source: Glacier 3000: opening times. Checked 2 November 2026.
Source: Davos Klosters: operating times 2026/27. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Get ready for winter. Sort ski gear, kids' snow clothes and winter tyres before the December rush.
Dates for November 2026
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct to 12 Nov | Expovina wine tasting on boats | Zürich, Bürkliplatz |
| Until 8 Nov (Petersplatz until 10 Nov) | Basler Herbstmesse, the autumn fair | Basel |
| Sat 14 Nov | Räbechilbi, a parade of thousands of carved turnip lanterns | Richterswil |
| From 19 Nov | Bellevue Noël Christmas market | Zürich, Sechseläutenplatz |
| From 19 Nov | Noël au Quai Christmas market | Geneva |
| Fri 20 Nov | Ystimme, the opening of Basel's Christmas season | Basel, Marktplatz |
| From 20 Nov | Bô Noël Christmas markets and lights | Lausanne |
| Mon 23 Nov | Zibelemärit, the onion market | Bern old town |
| From 26 Nov | Basel Christmas markets open | Basel |
| From 26 Nov | Sternenstadt Christmas market | St. Gallen |
| From 26 Nov | Natale a Lugano, Christmas in the old town | Lugano |
Source: Canton Basel-Stadt: 555 years of the Basler Herbstmesse (German). Checked 2 November 2026.
Sources
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