A sports nation
Switzerland leads globally in sport participation: 75% of adults exercise regularly. The Alps, lakes and clean cities make it ideal.
Gyms
Chains
- Migros Fitnesspark: CHF 60–130/month, high-end, in cities
- Activ Fitness: low-cost CHF 50–80/month
- Update Fitness: CHF 70–100/month, modern format
- Bodystreet (EMS): 20-min express training, CHF 60–90/session
- Mc Fit: low-cost in some cities, CHF 40–60/month
Small independents
- CHF 80–180/month by city and equipment
- Group classes, personal coaches (CHF 100–180/hr)
Yoga, Pilates, CrossFit
- Specialist studios: CHF 200–350/month unlimited, or CHF 25–40 per session
- CrossFit Boxes: CHF 150–300/month by location
Water sports
- Sailing: clubs on Lakes Geneva, Zurich, Constance, Lucerne (CHF 800–3,000/yr)
- Swimming: communal pools CHF 6–10/entry, annual pass CHF 200–400
- Paddleboard, kayak, water skiing: CHF 30–80/hour rental
- Public beaches: free on lakes (Bains des Pâquis Geneva, Tiefenbrunnen Zurich, Marzili Bern, Quai du Mont-Blanc, Valais lakes)
Skiing and snowboarding
Switzerland has world-class alpine resorts:
- Verbier: day pass CHF 85, week CHF 380
- Zermatt: day CHF 90, week CHF 410
- St. Moritz: day CHF 87, week CHF 390
- Davos-Klosters: day CHF 80, week CHF 360
- Saas-Fee, Crans-Montana, Engadin: similar levels
- Smaller resorts: Anzère, Charmey, Les Mosses: CHF 45–65/day
Magic Pass: CHF 369/yr for 39 resorts in French/Alpine Switzerland (incredible deal, sold April-May for next season).
Ikon Pass: for Zermatt, also access to US/Canadian resorts.
Hiking
- Network: 65,000 km of signposted trails in Switzerland, free
- App: SwitzerlandMobility (free, offline)
- CAS huts: CHF 25–60/night dormitory, CHF 80–130 private room + meals
- Season: May–October in mountains, year-round in lowlands
- Levels: yellow markers (easy), white-red-white (mountain), blue-white-blue (alpine)
Cycling and MTB
- Bike-share: Publibike, CHF 1–3/30min
- Cycle paths: excellent, 12,000 km
- MTB: SwissMTB.ch for marked routes
- E-bike: very common, rental CHF 40–70/day
Team sports
- Football: local clubs in each commune, membership CHF 200–500/yr
- Ice hockey: very popular (Davos, Bern, Zurich, Servette), CHF 250–450/yr junior
- Tennis: public courts and clubs (CHF 500–2,000/yr membership)
- Basketball, volleyball, handball: school and amateur clubs
Coaching and nutrition
- Personal trainer: CHF 80–200/hour
- Dietician: CHF 130–180/consultation (often reimbursed by complementary LAMal)
- Strength coach: CHF 90–180/session
Tips
- Non-occupational accident insurance (LAA) is included in employment, but check coverage for extreme sports
- Magic Pass is unbeatable for ski enthusiasts
- Local clubs are friendly and approachable, walk in
- Apps (Strava, Polar, Garmin) widely used in the Swiss sports community
- Popular events: Course de l'Escalade (Geneva, Dec), Lausanne Marathon (Oct), Patrouille des Glaciers (mountaineering, April, prestigious)
