February in Switzerland: Carnival at 4:00

February in Switzerland is a strange month. The winter is still holding firm in the mountains, but you also notice that the days are getting longer already. More and more light. More and more options. You can ski or snowboard endlessly. You can just find the warmth of a sauna. Or you can hop on a train to one of the cities to discover that Switzerland is much more than just mountains and chocolate.

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Because February? That's Fasnacht time.

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Looking back: community weekend in Grindelwald

Before we start talking about that, let's go back to January. We kicked off the year with our first community weekend in Grindelwald. 28 physios from the Netherlands and Belgium, into the mountains together. It was exactly what we hoped it would be.

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During the day: skiing, hiking, sledding. Just do what you want. In the evening: exchange stories, share tips, meet new people. Make friendships. It felt good to see how natural that went. People who just met but soon had deeper conversations about their work, their life here, their plans.

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A weekend like this shows what takeoff is really about. Not only arranging work and papers, but also: being together. Share adventure. Building a network that goes beyond WhatsApp groups.

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Fasnacht: Switzerland goes wild

Now Fasnacht. If you think Switzerland is always tidy and quiet, then you haven't experienced Fasnacht yet. This is Carnival in Switzerland. Crazier than you would expect, but of course organized down to the last detail.

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Two cities stand out: Lucerne and Basel.

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Lucerne celebrates Fasnacht from 12 to 17 February. It starts at 5 in the morning. Yes, you read that right. On Schmutziger Donnerstag, the entire city center is woken up by the Tagwache. Hundreds of musicians in crazy suits walking through the streets. The whole city is shaking. From that moment on, Lucerne is in a festive mood for a week. Costumes, music, parades. On the last day, GüdisDienstTijmen tag (February 17), there is still the Monster Parade. An evening parade full of light and creativity that you simply have to see.

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Basel celebrates one week later, from February 23 to 25. The Basler Fasnacht is the largest in Switzerland and is on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. And that's not for nothing. It starts with the Morgestraich: at 4 a.m., all the lights in the city center go out. All you see are the Cliquen's hand-painted lanterns. Thousands of pipers and drummers walk silently through the streets. It's mystical, almost unreal.

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For three days, Basel is all about music, satire and tradition. If you've never experienced it before, now is the time to go. It shows a side of Switzerland that you wouldn't normally see.

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Cross-country skiing as an alternative

Not everyone is in the mood for hustle and bustle. Fortunately, February also offers plenty of space for rest. Cross-country skiing, for example. If you're tired of skiing or just don't like the slopes, this is a great way to keep moving.

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In Central Switzerland, you have plenty of options. Melchsee-Frutt is a well-known cross-country skiing area. Around 15 kilometers of well-prepared trails, for both classic style and skating. It is located on a high plateau and the routes are suitable for beginners and experts.

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Langis has a larger network of trails through open winter landscapes. Ideal if you want to walk around without the hustle and bustle. Mörlialp is more for those who want to try it out. Short routes, easy to access, great to get started.

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There are longer routes in Rothenthurm and around Einsiedeln. In many of these areas, you can rent equipment and get lessons if you want. By the way, cross-country skiing is also a good way to keep your condition up without having to put your knees down. And you're in the middle of nature, with just your breath and the sound of your skis on the snow.

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Join the takeoff community

Want to participate? Or curious about what we're organizing for the rest of the year? In our community exchange your tips, make your plans and you'll always find someone to join you on an adventure. From spontaneous walks to big weekends away.

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