Best time to visit Switzerland
The month-by-month edit — when to go, when to avoid, and the windows worth booking around.
The view
When Switzerland actually opens up
Switzerland runs on two seasons. December through March is the ski window; the high resorts (Zermatt, St Moritz, Verbier) hit peak for school half-term in February and the week between Christmas and New Year. June through September is the alpine summer — wildflowers in June, hiking weather through August, and grape-walk season in September. April–May and October–November are the 'between seasons' when half the mountain hotels close for refurb. Lake Geneva and Zurich stay year-round.
Month by month
The Switzerland calendar
- Peak
Ski season at altitude; mountains busy in midsummer.
- Shoulder
Lake Geneva and Zurich at their gentlest, alpine wildflowers building in June, harvest and grape-walk season in September.
- Off-season
Late April–May and November are the alpine 'between seasons' — half the mountain hotels close for refurb, the lifts stop, and trails are too soft to walk.
peak season
Dec · Jan · Feb · Jul · Aug
Ski season at altitude; mountains busy in midsummer.
shoulder season
Mar · Jun · Sep
Lake Geneva and Zurich at their gentlest, alpine wildflowers building in June, harvest and grape-walk season in September.
off season
Apr · May · Oct · Nov
Late April–May and November are the alpine 'between seasons' — half the mountain hotels close for refurb, the lifts stop, and trails are too soft to walk.