Swiss Alps in February

December through February delivers classic Alpine winter — deep snow, Christmas markets, and ski conditions that justify the expense. January and February offer the most reliable powder, though temperatures drop to -20°C at altitude and daylight ends by 4 PM. March and April bring spring skiing with longer days and cheaper accommodation, but weather turns unpredictable. June through September opens hiking season with wildflowers, mountain huts, and 18-hour daylight at summer solstice. July and August see peak crowds and prices — book mountain railways and restaurants weeks ahead. September offers the sweet spot with warm days, cool nights, and fall colors, though mountain weather changes fast. October and November are shoulder season gambles — some years bring Indian summer, others early snow that closes high passes. Ski season officially runs December to April, but glacier resorts like Saas-Fee and Zermatt operate year-round lifts. Weather varies dramatically by valley — Zermatt averages 300 sunny days per year while Engelberg gets twice the precipitation. Check specific resort websites for lift closures and seasonal pricing that can double between low and high season.