Closed for the winter, passes in the Swiss Alps are scheduled to reopen for car traffic within the next few weeks, weather permitting.
The winter closure at Oberalp, located at the altitude of 2,044 metres, is scheduled to be lifted at the end of April, allowing vehicles to travel between Graubünden and Uri .
The opening of the other high-altitude Alpine passes is as follows:
Gotthard Pass (2,106 metres), between Uri and Ticino: mid-May
Klausen Pass, located at 1,948 metres will also reopen in mid-May, for travel between Uri and Glaris
Furka Pass (2,429 metres) which connects Uri with Valais: the end of May,
Susten Pass (2,260 metres): between Uri and Bern, will reopen by the end of June.
Oberalp Pass in the summer. Image by Monika from Pixabay
In preparation for the reopenings, the process of snow clearing, installation of guardrails and railings, as well as rock clearance where needed, are underway.
Are all mountain roads in Switzerland closed for the winter?
No, only the ones where the risk of avalanches, as well as particularly difficult snow and ice conditions, make these roads unsafe.
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They typically close in November, with the first snowfall.
Other passes, such as the Simplon between Valais and Italy, the Flüela in Graubünden, the Julier, also in Graubünden, and the Brünig, which links Bern with Obwalden, are among the ones that remain open all year round.
In winter, however, snow tyres and, in some cases, chains, are obligatory for all vehicles.
Also, especially dangerous winter conditions can cause temporary closures of these roads.
You can find out the weather and driving conditions on all of Switzerland mountain roads, as well as general information about these passes, here.
