You might already be dreaming of spring, but the Alps still hold vestiges of winter in mid-March, one last chance to catch fresh snow before summer arrives.

And there may be no better way to see the Alps than by train. Switzerland’s Glacier Express is an eight-hour journey through the snow-covered Swiss Alps inside panoramic glass-domed cars. The route winds past frozen valleys, storybook villages, and some of Europe’s most dramatic peaks.

Pair the Glacier Express with Italy’s Bernina Express, add a stop in France, and a single scenic train ride becomes a slow-travel route across three countries. The result is a week-long rail journey linking Paris, Switzerland’s high mountains, and the Italian Alps, all without the price tag of a luxury rail package.

Here’s how to recreate the route, from Paris to the Glacier Express, then onward into Italy via the Bernina line.

Explore More of the Alps

Switzerland packs glaciers, lakes, and medieval villages into a country you can cross by train in hours. With an eight-day Swiss Travel Pass, travelers can hop between mountaintop railways, lakeside cities, and cozy restaurants serving bubbling fondue.

The Alps stretch nearly 750 miles across Europe, crossing France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Italy. That means there’s no single “right” way to explore them. Some routes focus on alpine villages and traditional food. Others link major cities like Zurich, Salzburg, and Munich. These itineraries help travelers pick the adventure that fits their pace.

The Aletsch Glacier stretches more than 14 miles through Switzerland’s Jungfrau region and is the largest glacier in the Alps. Hiking it requires ropes, guides, and careful footing across crevasses and ice fields, but the reward is a surreal landscape of glowing blue ice, glacial pools, and endless mountain views.

Some Alpine resorts sprawl across entire mountain valleys connected by lifts and gondolas. Austria’s SkiWelt alone has 90 lifts and more than 160 miles of terrain. Others focus on charming villages and legendary après-ski. This guide breaks down the Alps’ top resorts and how to choose the right one.

Grindelwald may look like a storybook village, but it sits at the base of the Jungfrau, one of Switzerland’s most famous peaks. Travelers come for the hiking, skiing, and cable cars, then stay for the underrated restaurants and local wine bars scattered through the village.

Hidden in Italy’s Piedmont region, Alta Valsesia delivers classic Alpine scenery without the crowds. Trails wind through forests and mountain villages toward views of Monte Rosa, Italy’s second-highest peak.

The Alps are famous for skiing and adrenaline sports, but they’re also home to legendary spa towns and thermal baths. These hotels combine mountain views with hot springs, outdoor pools, and quiet alpine hideaways.

Chalet Levissima 3000 sits high above the Italian Alps with panoramic mountain views and direct access to ski terrain. It’s the kind of place built for snowy mornings, long dinners, and unforgettable sunsets over the peaks.

From stylish Milan apartments to mountain chalets near Livigno and Bormio, these Airbnbs are some of the best bases for winter travel in Lombardy.

Wake up, clip into skis, and head straight onto the mountain. These ski-in, ski-out rentals across Europe and North America pair prime slope-side access with luxury amenities and sweeping mountain views.