Zermatt: Skiing & Snowboarding in the Shadow of the Matterhorn

The Most Iconic Mountain on Earth

The Matterhorn (4,478m) is not the highest mountain in the Alps, but it is the most recognisable — a perfect pyramid of rock and ice that has appeared on more photographs, paintings, and chocolate boxes than any other peak on earth. And Zermatt, the car-free Swiss village at its foot, is the most iconic ski resort in the world.

Zermatt has been a destination since the 1860s, when British alpinists first climbed the Matterhorn. Today it offers 360km of marked pistes across three linked ski areas, year-round glacier skiing on the Klein Matterhorn (3,883m), and a village of 5,000 permanent residents that swells to 35,000 in peak season. The luxury infrastructure is extraordinary — 100+ restaurants, 5-star hotels, and a Bahnhofstrasse lined with Rolex, Hermès, and Cartier boutiques.

The Three Ski Areas

Rothorn/Sunnegga — the most varied area. Sunnegga (2,288m) is reached by underground funicular in 4 minutes. The Rothorn (3,103m) offers spectacular views and excellent off-piste. Best for intermediates and experts.

Gornergrat — the most scenic area. The Gornergrat rack railway (the highest open-air railway in Europe) climbs to 3,089m with views of 29 peaks over 4,000m including Monte Rosa (4,634m), the highest point in Switzerland. Excellent intermediate terrain.

Klein Matterhorn/Cervinia — the highest and most dramatic area. The Klein Matterhorn cable car (3,883m) is the highest cable car in the Alps. The glacier here is skiable year-round — even in July and August. The area connects to Cervinia in Italy, adding 150km of Italian pistes to your day.

Lift passes: 1-day Zermatt pass CHF 95 (€99), 6-day CHF 450 (€468). Zermatt-Cervinia combined pass adds €15/day.

Skiing & Snowboarding: The Best Runs

For experts:

For intermediates:

For beginners:

Snowboard parks: The Gravity Park at Sunnegga has jumps, rails, and a halfpipe. The Klein Matterhorn glacier park is open year-round for summer snowboarding.

Year-Round Skiing: The Glacier

Zermatt is one of only a handful of resorts in the world that offers year-round skiing. The Klein Matterhorn glacier (3,883m) is open every month of the year, with the best summer conditions in July and August when the snow is firm and the views are extraordinary.

Summer skiing: 20km of groomed pistes, 3 lifts, open 7am–1pm (before the sun softens the snow). Lift pass CHF 45 (€47)/day. The experience of skiing in a T-shirt with the Matterhorn above you is genuinely surreal.

Temperature & Month-by-Month Guide

|-------|----------------|---------------|----------------|--------|---------|

Best for skiing: January–March. Best for summer glacier skiing: July–August.

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Budget (€120–200/night): Hotel Bahnhof (central, clean, ski-in/ski-out, €120–160), Matterhorn Hostel (social, dorms from €50, private rooms from €120).

Mid-range (€200–400/night): Hotel Julen (family-run, traditional, spa, €220–320), Backstage Hotel (boutique, design, €250–380).

Luxury (€400–1,200/night): The Omnia (clifftop, design hotel, Matterhorn views, €500–900), Mont Cervin Palace (historic, 5-star, €450–800), Chalet Zermatt Peak (private chalet, 6 bedrooms, butler, €2,000–4,000/night).

Getting There

Zermatt is car-free — all vehicles must be left in Täsch (5km away, €15/day parking) and the train taken to Zermatt (12 min, CHF 8/€8 return).

Fly to Geneva (GVA, 3h30 by train) or Zurich (ZRH, 3h30 by train). From Amsterdam: KLM to Geneva from €100 return. From London: easyJet to Geneva from £65 return. From New York: Swiss direct to Zurich from $550 return.

Train: Geneva to Zermatt via Visp — 3h30, CHF 80 (€83) one way. Swiss Travel Pass covers this route.

Insider Tips

1. The Matterhorn at sunrise — set your alarm for 6am, walk to the Riffelberg viewpoint, and watch the first light turn the Matterhorn pink. One of the great natural spectacles of the Alps.

2. Book Chez Vrony in advance — it's the most sought-after lunch reservation in Zermatt. Call or email 2–3 weeks ahead.

3. The Italian side is always quieter — take the cable car to Klein Matterhorn and ski down to Cervinia for lunch (pasta €12, wine €4). The runs are longer and less crowded.

4. Electric taxis only — Zermatt's taxis are all electric. The horse-drawn sleighs are for tourists but genuinely magical at night.

5. Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn, 3,883m) has an ice palace carved into the glacier — free with your lift pass. The views from the observation deck are the highest in the Alps accessible by cable car.