Switzerland faces heavy snow in Alps and rising rental costs

Heavy snowfall in the Swiss Alps has rendered several mountain passes impassable, while other routes remain open but covered in snow. While Thursday is expected to be sunny, weather forecasts predict variable conditions for the weekend, with the snow line expected to drop to lower altitudes.

Separately, rising rental prices in Switzerland are creating significant challenges for social integration. Data from the Federal Housing Office indicates that the housing market faced increased pressure throughout 2025 and the first half of 2026 due to high demand and insufficient new construction. Between 2000 and 2024, the rent index rose by 38%, outpacing both general inflation and wage growth. This trend particularly affects low-to-middle-income families and foreign communities, potentially forcing them into more remote areas and impacting their access to schools, transport, and employment networks.