Zermatt has long been an important destination in the history of winter sports as it had already become THE mountain climbing village in Switzerland in the last century. This should not come as a surprise, bearing in mind that Zermatt is surrounded by no fewer than 38 mountain peaks that reach over 4000 metres of altitude, including the world-famous Matterhorn (4478m). The high-altitude slopes in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise stay open for skiing almost all year long.

Zermatt is known to be an expensive ski resort in Switzerland, but it remains extremely popular attracting a wonderful international mix of the rich and famous and hardcore mountain explorers. The pedestrian ski resort centre breathes a pleasantly rural character with its appealing wooden buildings and the narrow alleys in the old centre. Over the last few years, the ski resort of Zermatt has invested seriously in developing environmentally friendly transport in its center. This means the only traffic you will come across are electric buses, taxis and horse-drawn sleighs. The ski area of Zermatt leaves an equally positive impression. You'll find here some of the best skiing in the Alps on the 360km of ski slopes that reach up to over 3800m of altitude! The après-ski here is rather expensive but you won't be disappointed - excellent service, food and some very attractive venues including a plethora of mountain restaurants will make you feel you're getting your money's worth on your ski holidays in luxurious Zermatt.

Expert's paradise

Zermatt is the sunniest ski resort in Switzerland, with 300 days of sunshine a year. Skiers and snowboarders in Zermatt can enjoy more than 350km of slopes at altitudes reaching up to 3883m. Thanks to the high altitude, some of the slopes at Zermatt also remain open for skiing in the summer. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ranks among the highest summer ski areas in Europe and is accessible via the world's highest 3S cableway. On the western side of the village you'll find a selection of lovely blue and red runs with stunning views of the iconic Matterhorn. Below the Stockhorn there are some challenging black runs, and over on the north side at the Klein Matterhorn beginners can build their confidence on easier nursery slopes. If, despite all the choices, you've managed to ski all the slopes in Zermatt, you can head across the border and explore the slopes in neighbouring Valtournencheand Breuil-Cervinia. Freeriders can also opt to go heli-skiing in the area surrounding Zermatt and the Matterhorn.

High-class après-ski in Zermatt

Après-ski at Zermatt tends to be somewhat of a swankier affair than some places in Austria, but there is no shortage of great options if you're looking for a good time at the end of your ski day. Institutions like the Hennu Stall are the place to be if you're looking for the kind of après-ski bar where you can party with your ski boots still on. For a unique experience, check out the Iglu Dorf, an igloo village set at 2727m above sea level. And for a taste of how the rich and famous do their ski holidays, stop in at the Champagner Bar and enjoy a delicious flute of champagne. Zermatt hosts one of the biggest music festivals of the year, Zermatt Unplugged, every spring at the end of ski season.

Winter activities at Zermatt

50km of hiking trails allow hikers to explore the breathtaking scenery around the lofty Matterhorn. You can also hire a mountain guide in order to get a real feel for the winter landscapes. Kids will love the toboggan runs, of which the Rotenboden is said to be the most beautiful toboggan run in the Alps. Take a go and see for yourself! Other activities at Zermatt include ice skating, curling, spas and visiting the frozen waterfalls. It's impossible to get bored at Zermatt, especially with such a spectacular environment to discover!

Apres-ski & entertainment Zermatt
Restaurants 162	Theatre -
Bars & cafes 55	Casino -
Nightclubs & discos 7	Concert hall
Cinema 1

Ski school and ski lessons Zermatt
No. of ski schools 8	Private ski lessons Yes, price on request
No. of ski instructors -	Ski lessonsYes, price on request
Area for beginners	Snowboarding lessonsYes, price on request
Ski lessons in	Cross-country skiingYes, price on request

Facilities Zermatt
No. of hotels 106	Supermarkets 7
Total no. of hotel beds 7067	Banks
Total no. of beds 18124

Zermatt for families and children
Childcare	Magic carpet
Playground	Ski lift for children
Merry-go-round

Leisure & sports activities Zermatt
Public sauna -	Footpaths 70 km
Fitness centre	Torchlight descent -
Public solarium	Indoor ice rink -
Massage	Outdoor ice rink
Spa & wellness -	Curling
Indoor swimming pool -	Snow rafting
Hot air ballooning -	Dog sledding
Paragliding	Snowmobile tours -
Indoor tennis court	Toboggan run
Squash court -

Ski blog about Zermatt

New 10-person gondola to replace Kumme chairlift in Zermatt

15 April 2020 by Danielle in 'Latest news''

The Kumme 3-person chairlift in Zermatt was destroyed by an avalanche in January 2018 which started on the Unterrothorn (3104m) and swept through the Tuftern valley. Only a few concrete walls and the foundation remained. Now, two years later, the green light has been given for construction of a replacement lift. The new 10-person Kumme gondola is expected to be ready for use by the 2020/21 ski season.... More ›
(Photo: © Zermatt Bergbahnen)

Ski areas with guaranteed snow for a November ski holiday

27 October 2019 by Danielle in 'Destinations''

Did you know there are already plenty of ski resorts open for skiing in November? The higher-altitude ski areas in the Alps have already been blessed with several snowfalls this autumn and as we get into November, the snow line should be dropping down as far as the valleys soon. In this article we'll give an overview of Alpine ski areas where you should be able to expect reliable snow cover for skiing in November.... More ›

Top 10 Swiss ski areas with guaranteed snow

12 October 2019 by Danielle in 'Destinations''

There's nothing more heartbreaking than arriving at your long-awaited ski holiday only to find brown hills and a couple of cows grazing! When you've scheduled holiday time, invested money and spent hours researching your ski area and accommodation, the last thing you want is a ski area with unreliable snow cover. The good news is that you don't have to be completely at the mercy of the elements this year. Switzerland is known for its especially high-altitude ski areas and the following ski areas hav... More ›
(Photo: © Jungfraubahnen 2019)

Top 10 car-free ski resorts in the Alps

17 September 2019 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

Part of the reason we love our ski holidays so much is because they give us the chance to be at one with nature. So, smelly car exhaust fumes aren't exactly welcome! For this reason, more and more ski resorts are banning cars in the village centre. The only "vehicles" allowed are electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages. Pedestrians have priority and you'll see people wandering down the middle of the streets carrying their skis or even skiing right through the village centre! Here are 10 of our ... More ›

Top 10 alpine ski resorts with beautiful scenery

20 June 2019 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

The Alps are home to some of the most spectacular panoramas in the world, but a surprising number of ski resorts manage to totally trash this scenery by constructing the ugliest buildings you can imagine (we're looking at you, Flaine). If booking a ski holiday in a beautiful ski resort is important to you, then check out this list of ten charming alpine villages - with world-class skiing to boot!... More ›