February in Switzerland is a strange month. Winter still has the mountains in its grip, but you already notice the days slowly getting longer. Plenty to do, and plenty of time to do it in.
Looking back: community weekend in Grindelwald
Before we get into February, a quick look back at January. We kicked off the year with our first community weekend in Grindelwald: 28 physios from across Europe, up into the mountains together. It was exactly what we hoped for.
During the day: skiing, hiking, sledding. Do what you feel like. In the evening: stories, tips, new people. Friendships that genuinely stick. It felt good to watch how naturally that went. People who had just met were soon deep in conversation about their work, their life here, their plans.
A weekend like this shows what takeoff is really about. Not only arranging work and paperwork, but also being together. Sharing the adventure. Building a network that goes beyond WhatsApp groups.
Fasnacht: Switzerland goes wild
Now Fasnacht. If you think Switzerland is always tidy and quiet, you have not met Fasnacht yet. This is Carnival, Swiss-style. Wilder than you would expect, and of course organised down to the last detail.
Two cities stand out: Lucerne and Basel.
Lucerne celebrates Fasnacht in mid-February, starting on Schmutziger Donnerstag. It kicks off at 5 in the morning. Yes, really. The entire city centre is woken up by the Tagwache: hundreds of musicians in wild costumes tearing through the streets. The whole city shakes. From that moment on, Lucerne runs on festival time for a week. Costumes, music, parades. On the final day, Güdisdienstag, there is the Monster Parade: an evening procession full of light and creativity that you simply have to see at least once.
Basel follows a week later. The Basler Fasnacht is the biggest in Switzerland and sits on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. That is not a coincidence. It begins with the Morgestraich: at 4 a.m., every light in the city centre is switched off. All you see are the Cliquen's hand-painted lanterns. Thousands of pipers and drummers move silently through the streets. It is mystical, almost unreal.
For three days, Basel runs on music, satire and tradition. If you have never experienced it, now is the time. It shows a side of Switzerland you do not usually get to see.
Cross-country skiing as an alternative
Not everyone is in the mood for the noise. February also makes plenty of room for quiet. Cross-country skiing, for example. If you are burned out on the slopes, or simply not a fan of the downhill crowd, this is a beautiful way to keep moving.
Central Switzerland is full of options. Melchsee-Frutt is a well-known cross-country area, with around 15 km of well-prepared trails for classic style and skating. It sits on a high plateau and the routes suit both beginners and experts.
Langis has a larger network of trails through open winter landscapes. Ideal if you want to glide without the crowds. Mörlialp is more of a try-out spot: short routes, easy access, great for getting started.
There are longer routes around Rothenthurm and Einsiedeln. In most of these areas you can rent equipment and book lessons if you need them. Cross-country skiing is also a smart way to keep your cardio up without hammering your knees. And you are right in the middle of nature, with just your breath and the sound of your skis on snow.
Join the takeoff community
Want to join in? Or curious what we are putting together for the rest of the year? In our community you swap tips, make plans, and always find someone to head out with, from spontaneous walks to big weekends away.
