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Visiting Switzerland Mid-May...Heavy Coat or No

Greetings all! I'm sure I could get averages off of the internet and likely any suggestions made here are just gonna be best guesses, but I figured I'd check in with you guys that visit frequently to get thoughts on traveling with outerwear in CH during May. We will be arriving 8 May and staying through 19 May. We'll be all over starting in Lauterbrunnen for several days, then on to Lucerne, and finishing in Zurich. We will be visiting Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, and probably doing at least one more mountain excursion from Lucerne. Other than that we'll be roaming around the LB valley and the various towns dotting the mountain side there, possibly a day trip to Lugano, but otherwise roaming around the cities.

I've been to CH twice before, albeit a decade ago, and both times were in Nov / Dec. Never been in the "summer" season. Jungfraujoch was quite chilly then and I know with it's altitude (and the fact it has a year round winter sports area) that it never gets warm there, but I have long since traveled the Rick Steves way with a carry-on backpack and packing as light as possible.

Just want to know if a lightweight down jacket like you would get from UNIQLO would be sufficient for the time we'd be spending on the mountain tops without it being too cold to really enjoy things. We want to do some of the activities at the top like the zip-line or snowboarding, but I also don't want to carry along a really heavy coat for all of the trip if it's not necessary.

I appreciate your thoughts and any direction you can provide!

Posted by
1450 posts

No need for a heavy coat. Layer a few t-shirts or whatnot for warmth if needed. And if you run into a real cold spell, you can always buy something more substantial there.

Posted by
5604 posts

I'd suggest a packable down jacket- one that you can stuff into its small travel pouch. This option has worked well for me in the past.

Posted by
8 posts

@Pat that is exactly what I was thinking. Though I think I mistakenly wrote fleece instead of down. Have edited it now.

Posted by
5837 posts

Classic recommendation is layers, not a single heavy (or not so heavy) garment. I was fine in early March ( a couple of years ago) with base layer, fleece jacket (Patagonia R1) and a wind/rainproof shell for walking about and that included mountain towns in the snow belt. Wife uses a Patagonia Nano Puff (synthtetic insulation) as here insuation layer. Add gloves and a cap and you will be good for even March weather.

We dress lighter (no insulation layer) for XC skiing. Staying dry (by not overdressing) is a key to staying warm while cross country skiing. Lift assisted skiing/snowboarding is a bit different in that you are sitting while going uphill.

Posted by
33821 posts

The layers have to come off and go on.

The tops of the mountains will be cold and blowy.

The valleys, not so much. Probably light jacket or shirtsleeves.

Walking, you will start with a jacket and probably quite soon the jacket will be rolled up in the pack or around your waist.