Mobile data on a ski holiday: Switzerland, Austria, France & Andorra

Which ski countries are covered by EU roaming?

• Covered: Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Liechtenstein.
• Not covered: Switzerland and Andorra. Roaming there is charged per day or per MB unless your provider includes them.
• Watch out in border resorts: Samnaun, Livigno, Cervinia (Zermatt), Chamonix and Portes du Soleil sit next to Switzerland.

The border trap: Swiss networks in French or Italian valleys

Mountains don't stop radio signals. In a valley near the border your phone may pick the strongest network, which can be Swiss. You think you're in France, your bill says Switzerland.

Fix: in your phone's mobile network settings turn off automatic network selection and pick a local network of the country you're in. Or keep data roaming off on your home SIM and use a travel eSIM for data.

How much data do you need on the slopes?

Ski apps, lift maps, WhatsApp and some photos use about 300 to 700 MB a day. Sharing videos on Instagram or TikTok quickly pushes that to 1 to 2 GB a day. For a week in Switzerland, 5 to 10 GB is a safe choice.

• Download the resort map and offline maps before you go.
• Cold drains batteries fast: keep your phone in an inside pocket and bring a power bank.
• 112 works everywhere in Europe, also in Switzerland and Andorra.

Setting up a travel eSIM for Switzerland

1. Buy the eSIM at home and install it over Wi-Fi (takes two minutes).
2. Keep your own SIM on for calls and texts, but turn data roaming off for it.
3. Turn the travel eSIM on when you cross the border and set it as the data line.
4. Running low? Top up the same eSIM from your phone.