Chasing Snow in July
Why Celebrating the Little Victories is Such a Big Deal
Chasing Snow in July
Why Celebrating the Little Victories is Such a Big Deal
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Why Celebrating the Little Victories is Such a Big Deal
Brian Schwan
7/7/2025
We came to Engelberg chasing snow in July. That may sound odd to some, but for our crew—coming off lake swims, steep hills, and the blazing heat of Milan—it felt like exactly the kind of shift we were ready for. Mountain air. Cable cars. That surreal feeling of being above the clouds.
What we didn’t count on? The weather.
But travel rarely sticks to the itinerary. And our time in Engelberg was a perfect example of how things don’t have to go right to go well. When Mt. Titlis surprised us with fog, wind, and closed attractions, we found new ways to enjoy the mountain—and each other.
We woke up early in Engelberg with one goal in mind: get to the top of Mt. Titlis before the crowds rolled in. The forecast was looking iffy, but we had one shot to do it, and we figured: if you’re going to stand on a glacier in the middle of summer, you might as well try.
Thankfully, we arrived just as the gondola opened. No crowds. No lines. Just a quiet morning ride straight into the clouds.
The ride itself was stunning—layers of forest and rock giving way to snow patches and jagged cliffs. But the most powerful moment happened before we even left the base station: our son, who’s usually terrified of heights, stepped onto the gondola without hesitation.
He didn’t want to talk about it, but we could tell it was a big deal. Quiet courage. Grit in motion. Watching him stare straight ahead and push through his fear was one of those parent moments—where the trip becomes about something so much more than scenery.
Walking Inside a Glacier in July
Walking Inside a Glacier in July
Even with half the mountain shut down, walking the 500 foot long glacier cave was worth it. There’s something surreal about being bundled up in warm clothes just days after sweating through Milan. The kids were skeptical at first, but quickly leaned into the novelty of it.
We snapped foggy selfies, dared each other to stand on the see-through panels of the bridge, and let the wind hit our faces while we tried to spot anything beyond the mist. We didn’t get the views we hoped for—but we got the memory. And that felt like a win.
Wandering Below the Clouds
Wandering Below the Clouds
After heading down from the summit, we stopped at the midway station on the gondola to explore for a bit. The weather was still cool, but not brutal. We found short walking paths, mountain lakes, and plenty of quintessential Swiss cows.
There was something simple and sweet about that part of the day—less about sightseeing, more about being somewhere new and letting the landscape do the entertaining.
Practical Tips
Practical Tips
Get to popular spots like Mt. Titlis early. Even with poor weather, we avoided long lines and had space to explore without the crowds.
Check the live webcams. You can see current visibility at the summit before deciding to go up—but sometimes it’s still worth going even if it’s foggy.
Layer up. Temperatures dropped into the 20s (°F) at the top. Hats, gloves, and warm coats are a must—even in July.
Don’t skip the mid-mountain station. It’s a great backup plan if the summit attractions are closed.
Celebrate small moments. Sometimes the quiet bravery—like riding a gondola despite fear—is the most lasting part of the trip.
The truth is, our Mt. Titlis adventure didn’t go how we pictured it. No blue skies. No panoramic views. No snow tubing. But we showed up anyway—and found something quieter, more meaningful, and maybe even more memorable. We stood in a glacier. We explored. We watched one of our kids quietly face a fear and win. We stayed flexible.
And in doing that, we discovered what Engelberg had to offer: not just adventure, but space to pause, breathe, and simply be a family—above the clouds.
Want to keep following the journey?
Up Next: A border-crossing kind of day: from glaciers to goal lines, and a heartfelt handoff in France.
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