With its breathtaking topography of crystal lakes, sweeping valleys and massive peaks, Switzerland offers business and incentive groups myriad options for outdoor activities and adventures. Just this March, The Adventure Travel Trade Association and George Washington University named Switzerland the world’s top adventure travel destination among developed countries in its fifth annual Adventure Tourism Development Index.
For attendees preferring to spectate, there is also an impressive roster of sports museums and events. Either way, off-agenda means game on in Switzerland.
Located between Lake Geneva and Gstaad, high-altitude Les Diablerets is a major destination for adventure sports. Named for the region’s glacial ski area, Glacier 3000 is a one-stop resource for year-round activities, including the recently introduced Peak Walk—a suspension bridge strung between two alpine peaks.
Airboarding is a thrilling downhill activity using a Swiss-made lightweight snow glider. Offered by many adventure travel operators, airboards can be rented at 27 official Swiss Airboard Stations.
Geneva groups can white-water raft along the Arve River down from the Alps into the heart of the city, going over six waterfalls as part of the three-hour experience.
Headquarters of the International Olympic Committee since 1914, Lausanne is also home to the Olympic Museum, which offers customized “Olympic Experience” packages for seminars and functions. Annual events in this picturesque city include the international Athletissima track and field meet, celebrating its 40th edition this July.
In Montreux, the event-capable Swiss Museum of Games is housed in the 13th century Tour-de-Peilz fortress.
On the event front, White Turf St. Moritz is a thrilling horse race held over three weekends each February. Against a spectacular mountain backdrop, some 30,000 spectators gather at St. Moritz’s frozen lake to watch the action, which includes skikjoring, a race exclusive to the event in which men on skis are pulled by unsaddled thoroughbreds at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
Each October, Basel hosts Swiss Indoors Basel, a major annual event on the global tennis circuit.
