Discover Pilatus Off-Season: “Breathe with Pilatus”—An Unexpected Experience

I don’t think many of you would head up to Pilatus—probably the most famous peak in central Switzerland—in the winter. Sure, it’ll probably be foreign tourists who want to check this peak off their bucket list. But locals? Pilatus may be just over 2,000 meters high, but you can’t ski here. Plus, Pilatus’s biggest draw—the steepest cogwheel railway in the world—is closed during the off-season. So why go up there off-season? The answer is quite simple: because this is when you’ll discover a slightly different Pilatus—quieter, without the crowds, and sometimes with a little something extra. In my case, it was the Breathe with Pilatus installation, which is why I didn’t go up this time for the view, but for the experience.

How to Get to Pilatus During the Off-Season

As I mentioned, the main attraction—the world’s steepest cogwheel railway—is closed during the winter. That’s why you’ll reach the summit via the cable car, which departs from Kriens. There’s also a large paid parking lot there.

A round-trip ticket to Pilatus costs 60 CHF from December to April, 30 CHF with a Halbtax/Swiss Travel Pass. Children with a Junior Card travel for free with a paying parent. Then all that awaits you is a comfortable 45-minute ride up, with a transfer at the Fräkmüntegg station.

Note: This article was created in collaboration with Pilatus-Bahnen AG, whom I would like to thank for the tickets to Pilatus.

What to Experience on Pilatus During the Off-Season: Breathe with Pilatus

The installation Breathe with Pilatus is based on the project Breathe with Me by Swiss artist Annabelle Schneider, whose work focuses on multisensory experiences and the connection between people and space. Here at the summit of Pilatus, she has created an environment that functions almost like a living organism—combining textiles, light, sound, and scent—and “forces” you to completely switch off for a moment, to slow down, perceive, and “just be.”

The installation is an enclosed space that resembles a cloud. Before entering, you take off your shoes. Then you step inside. The cloud reacts subtly; the light shifts, and sounds and visual displays blend seamlessly, creating a pleasant, calming atmosphere. All the more so because you can actually lie down comfortably on the floor, rest your head on a pillow (shaped like a cloud, of course), and relax. “Wolke” also has niches that offer a bit of privacy.

By the way, you can buy those beautiful, colorful cloud-shaped pillows (and not only them) at the gift shop.

Pilatus Kulm

After visiting the exhibition, you can head to the Bellevue self-service restaurant or the Pilatus-Kulm restaurant for a bite to eat—the perfect way to reflect on your experience. Once you’ve refueled, you can head out again, whether to the lookout point or to the rock “gallery” that winds through the cliff and offers truly beautiful views in every direction. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, but definitely worth a visit.

What if you visit Pilatus in the summer?

As soon as the summer season begins, Pilatus transforms once again. The iconic cog railway returns, and the place comes alive at a completely different pace. If you’re visiting with children, be sure not to miss the rope adventure park at the Fräkmüntegg midway station. I wrote more about that in this article:

Experience Mt. Pilatus differently! – Family experience at Fräkmüntegg

And then there’s the Fräkigaudi summer toboggan run. At 1,350 meters long, it’s the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland, and its starting point is about a 5-minute walk from the Fräkmüntegg station.

So, have you ever visited Pilatus outside of peak season? Or did you catch the Breathe with Pilatus installation? Let me know what you thought!