Switzerland senior travel can offer a lot for the active senior who isn't afraid to get a little chilly, although the "Snowbird" might find him or herself out of place. With beautiful sites and unrivaled ski and hiking trails, Switzerland has something for seniors all year round.

Hiking

Hiking in spring, summer and fall allows you to breathe in the fresh air, get a little exercise and take in the country's gorgeous foliage at the peak seasons. Many Switzerland cities offer senior-exclusive guided hiking tours, so ask a travel agent or the city's welcome center for more details. Of course, there are trails that you can hike at your own pace as well.

Spring might be the best choice for seniors who want to enjoy the best weather and avoid the peak tourist season. Hiking trails in and around the Alps are much more peaceful without hundreds of other tourists and families tagging along. Spring temperatures average around 40 to 55 degrees F, but summer temperatures are not that much warmer (they peak at around the early- to mid-60s degrees F) and both summer and fall are the seasons of the heaviest rainfall.

You don't have to plan a trip around hiking when so many picturesque cities and towns are near enough to hiking trails so that you can hike 1 day and shop and tour in a city the next. One popular Switzerland hamlet and resort town with senior travelers is Lenzerheide in the northwest. You can hike around Lenzerheide's Lake Heidsee and visit hot springs in nearby St. Mortiz.

Saving money tip: Lower your hotel bill by as much as $20 to $50 by being willing to share a bathroom with fellow travelers. The bed and breakfast feel of these quaint hotels makes the situation comfortable.

Skiing

Switzerland is world-famous for its skiing resorts atop the Alps, so active seniors might enjoy participating in what is essentially the nation's national pastime. Winter is the coldest season and most popular with skiing tourists, so you may want to avoid the peak skiing time. Instead, try early spring or late fall, when the tourism dies down and ground-level temperatures are agreeable. This means that you can spend a few days skiing at a resort on the Alps and then head down below to tour the country's cities, lakes and parks in moderately warm weather. In the winter, much of the country's natural foliage is covered in snow, making any activities outside of winter sports virtually impossible.