Scheduled winter break dates for each Swiss canton:
Skiing in Swiss Cantons: Navigating the Variable Winter Holidays of 2025
When it comes to school holidays that often overlap with ski seasons, Switzerland is a complex dance of cantons and variability. Despite the popular label "February holidays," these breaks aren't always confined to this month, often spilling over into March.
Some cantons, like Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Vaud, and Zug, stick to a February schedule with the ski break starting and ending within the shortest month. Others, such as Appenzell Innerrhoden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, and Schwyz, begin in February but extend their break into March.
Then there are cantons like Basel-City, Basel-Country, Fribourg, and Ticino, where the ski break takes place entirely in March. Yet, one couldn't dismiss the canton of Valais, where parts of its region enjoy the ski break from February, while others prolong it into March.
Interestingly, Glarus, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, and Appenzell Innerrhoden offer "early ski holidays" in January, in case the wintery sensation hits early.
The cantons of Aargau, Appenzell Ausserhoden, Bern, St.Gallen, and Zurich boast a unique characteristic: their ski break dates can vary even within the canton itself.
Carnival/Sport Break, typically between 28 February and 9 March 2025, overlaps with many ski holidays. Spring Holidays, falling between 5 to 21 April, might not directly impact the winter ski season's end. Eastern Switzerland tend to follow a schedule similar to these breaks.
When it comes to Western Switzerland, regions like Valais, with resorts such as Verbier, Zermatt, and Saas-Fee, maintain activity throughout February and early March thanks to their high snow levels. Although specific school-related ski breaks are less defined in this area.
So, if you're seeking an extended ski adventure into early March, the Carnival/Sport Break is likely your best bet, as many families will likely take advantage of this period. Regardless, be sure to plan your Swiss ski adventure carefully, as the date can vary greatly depending on the region and school district.
- The canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden extends its school holidays from February, beginning more than a month’s worth of skiing adventure in 2025.
- For those who prefer education-and-self-development during holidays, the Spring Holidays from 5 to 21 April would be suitable, as it doesn't directly impact the end of the winter ski season in Eastern Switzerland.
- When considering a ski holiday that lasts until early March, it's advisable to plan 2025's Carnival/Sport Break, which provides an extended opportunity for families to enjoy skiing activities in resorts like Verbier, Zermatt, and Saas-Fee in the Western Swiss canton of Valais.
