Hi everyone, we are about to move to ZH from a place it hasn't snowed in 30 years....therefore I'm clueless about what we will need in terms of winter clothing for adults and kids (6year old). Could someone please give me a lowdown on this (silly as it may seem!). Is it very windy there? Are there special kind of snow boots/etc. needed for school/everyday wear etc? Please, any info would be great. thanks a lot

Zurich is not a very windy place at all. In terms of footwear, you just need something waterproof in winter. The city itself usually only has snow on the ground maybe 2 weeks in the year, and most people get by with a pair of timberland or caterpillar boots or equivalent.

As for jackets and general clothing, once you're over here you'll be able to find everything you need without problem. My winter wardrobe is very similar to what I wear for the rest of the year but with the addition of a decent coat and a pullover on top of my shirt.

I don't know where you're moving from, but I can assure you that the weather here really isn't very extreme. In fact, it sounds like you might even be disappointed :-)

Hope this helps and good luck with your move.

If you've got clothes that can eg handle a London winter then you will certainly be ok in Zurich.

If conversely you've been living in Dubai for the past 30 years then you will need to adjust your clothing somewhat. Fraser's advice is good.

Glad not to have started yet another topic myself. We too were wondering about this. We shall be coming from Thailand where we have lived for four years and before that we were in Oman. So, for the last seven years we have been in hotland.
Is it worth trying to buy stuff before we arrive, or are the prices of warm clothing reasonable? We have an outlet shop here that sells the stuff it makes in the factory at very reasonable prices.
I think I have just answered my own question actually. So, it's off to Decathalon this afternoon.

Hello All
I plan to study at St Gallen starting this Sept.
I have heard that it is a cold place.
Other than a leather jacket, woollen hat, gloves and a woollen sweater, what else would I have to wear?

Are there special jackets that can handle both rain/snow and cold weather?

Lastly, I have not seen many items on ebay.ch. Are there other similar and popular sites in CH? (Yahoo auctions is more popular in Singapore , for ex).

Me again lol, ok i can take you shopping, you will need a good ski jacket, and a very good pair of winter shoes, it can get very cold here in the winter.

Generally one can buy reasonably priced winter clothes here in CH. The stores will start putting all the winter items out in fall so that one has enough time to get ready. I always have a winter coat and some boots that can handle the snow/slush in the city. If you go to the mountains some ski pants might be a good idea.

I would say you only need ski pants if you are going ski-ing, sledging, or building a snowman other than that i would not buy ski-pants, and save your money

Hi,

I would do some shopping online before leaving. I have found Switzerland to be quite expensive. And I personally don't think you can get the same value as you can in the States, for example. Northface, LLBean, ... places like that are having good deals. I would buy a good "ski jacket," as was already suggested, maybe some layers that "wick" away moisture, such as polypropylene, or some other synthetics, some waterproof pants if you plan on romping in the snow or rain. I think, more than anything else, waterproof is the key, because it generally rains more than snows here, at least in the cities. And even if it snows, it's mostly the wet-factor that becomes annoying. I think getting something "breathable" is essential -- like Gortex for example. As was already said, the weather might be fairly cold, but it hasn't been extreme in a good while.

All the best for your move!

-E

I got a very good, water proof, ski-ing outfit for 99frcs from the aldi last year, and the jacket even as a special band inside to keep the snow out, they have offers like this about 3 times a year around the time it gets cold