My Way Alpine--Weather Differences Below vs. Above

We were in the Dolomites in May and Murren, Switzerland in July. Both times I had the same clothing - layers. Packable down vest, waterproof (and wind proof) raincoat, long sleeved sweater. Those 3 items were enough to keep me comfortable. And most times in July I didn’t even need the vest. It can get warm, even in Switzerland.

Last September I was in Switzerland. The cities were in the 80's- obviously summer clothes weather. However, keep in mind that if there's snow on the ground on the summits, there must be temps to keep that snow in place. I saw gals in sandals and sundresses going up to the Jungfraujoch. Then I saw them buying puffy down jackets in the gift shop at the top. Don't know what they did about their feet.

My packable down jacket did the job at 10,000 ft.
Safe travels!

I took the tour in early June. The coldest places were the peaks I went to for the views - Zugspitz and Aiguille du Midi. Since I was only at the peaks for an hour or two, a fleece jacket, warm hat, warm scarf, and good gloves were fine. It's not the cold that gets you, it's the strong winds that come and go. I don't think that changes in July. The peaks at Lauterbrunnen would be similar (on my tour, it was too foggy to go up them). If you're going to hike in Chamonix you might need more. Another option in Chamonix is paragliding (2 older women on my tour did it and loved it). Hiking in the Dolomites wasn't cold, but in can pour rain for an hour or so anytime, so you'll want to have decent raingear.

I think it depends on your tolerance for cold. I get cold easily. Like Pat, I was in Switzerland last Sept. and it was hot, hot, hot at the lower elevations. But I was glad I had my puffer coat for the Schilthorn.

This is the puffer coat I have and it packs down to almost nothing.

https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-jackets-vests-insulated/womens-thermoball-eco-jacket-20-nf0a5gld?variationId=A9L

If you don’t plan to be up in the higher elevations much, you might be ok with just a warm fleece as your outer layer.

yes, as you go up it gets cooler... but then as you hike you generate heat (and moisture).... hence the layers

That's why the layer concept works so well for me...

As a ballpark figure, temperatures go down by 1°C every 100-150 meters in elevation gain. Hence a need for layers when you take a cable car. For hiking, unless you attempt something with massive vertical it should not affect you too much, but weather changes can happen, and you should have some lightweight rain/wind gear for any serious hike.

Thanks to all for these helpful comments! It’s 113 degrees in Phoenix this weekend, so we can’t wait to be cold in July.