When to go · Switzerland
Switzerland in February
Good month. School holidays fill resorts; Basel Fasnacht carnival (three days from the Monday after Ash Wednesday).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- High
- Switzerland
- Prices
- High
- Switzerland
Verdict
School holidays fill resorts; Basel Fasnacht carnival (three days from the Monday after Ash Wednesday).
Weather in February
- Plateau cities · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernecool
Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.
- Bernese and central Alps · Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelbergbest weather
Skiing late December to early April ('best' in winter means snow); hiking late June to early October. Afternoon storms in July–August.
- Valais and Engadin · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritzbest weather
The sunniest and driest Alpine valleys; high resorts keep snow into April. Lifts close in May and November.
- Lake Geneva · Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavauxcool
Mild; the bise wind makes winter days raw. Grape harvest in Lavaux late September–October.
- Ticino · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonacool
Warmest region with palm trees; heavy rain possible in autumn. The Gotthard base tunnel puts it 2 h from Zurich.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Basel Fasnacht
15–17 Feb 2027 (moves yearly)
Starts 04:00 Monday with the Morgestraich; Basel hotels full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Switzerland
- High
- Prices · Switzerland
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
Where to go in February
Rated best or good this month
Bernese and central Alps
Best weather of the year (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg)
Valais and Engadin
Best weather of the year (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritz)