Winter sports in the Jura

12 January 2021

Winter sports are not often associated with the mountains of the Jura. Even in German-speaking Switzerland, it is an unknown destination.

Yet, this region offers many possibilities, including skiing on smaller slopes, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or enjoying the many beautiful and well-maintained villages and towns.

The mountains have an altitude of up to 1,700 metres, but due to their location, snow is relatively sure to occur. Brévine (canton of Neuchâtel) is even referred to as the Siberia of Switzerland (Swiss Spectator, 5 November 2020) at an altitude of only 1,043 metres.

The snow fun extends from the Vallée du Joux in the Canton of Vaud, in the far west of the country, near the border with France, to the cantons of Neuchâtel, Jura, and Bern.

The ski slopes of Bugnenets-Savagnières, for example, have seven lifts and are approximately 30 kilometres long. This region is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (raquette) due to its many meadows, forests, and slopes.

In these times of lockdown, it is an ideal destination to pass the winter.