Zermatt Ski Resort

High on any skier’s Top 10 list of world ski resorts

Where else can you enjoy skiing and snowboarding 365 days a year but at the unique snow sports resort of Zermatt-Matterhorn?

Skiing enthusiasts from all over the world congregate in Zermatt. It is a world class ski resort for many reasons not the least of which is the snow. Not only is it located amongst the highest mountains of western Europe, Zermatt has the highest lifted piste terrain in Europe & is one of only two ski resorts with 365 days a year skiing. 

Zermatt ski resort in Switzerland is considered by many to be one of the best resorts in Europe. The ski runs on endless slopes set against a spectacular Alpine backdrop. At almost 4000 metres of altitude, Matterhorn ski paradise is the highest winter sports area in the Alps.

The scope and variety of Zermatt skiing is tremendous, with a network of lifts serving trails that rise over 12,000 feet. Three main ski areas offer wide open slopes for beginners while the more advanced skiers enjoy the challenge of the internationally known Tiefbach, Aeroleid or Momatt.

A car-free resort with jaw-dropping scenery beneath the mighty Matterhorn.

Beginners

The wide-open runs of the Sunnegga and Trokener Steg provide the ideal terrain for beginners, while the slopes of the Gornergrat, reached after a spectacular cogwheel train journey, should be easily manageable after a few lessons from the expert ski school.

Intermediates

Zermatt is a true intermediate’s paradise with a tremendous variety of runs available including scenic descents through trees and long red runs. Take the cable car to the Rothorn paradise where there are several challenging red runs and one that will take you all the way back to Zermatt. Choose a sunny day to ski over to Cervinia (included on area lift pass) and try the 15 km run from the Plateau Rosa.

Advanced

Every good skier should experience the challenging black runs, fantastic off-piste and guaranteed snow. Try the Triftji – one of Europe’s longest and most difficult freeride runs – classed as a yellow run and usually unpisted. Other highlights include the gun-barrel Tiefbach descent and the Schwarzsee, Stockhorn and Matterhorn glacier paradise areas.

Highlights

• For the ultimate early morning leg warmer, catch the first cable car up to Rothorn in mid-winter & watch the sun touch the Matterhorn before plunging into the shady, quiet trails all the way back down to Zermatt via Patrullarve.
• With a few novice skiers, race the Gornergrat train down from the Kulm Gornergrat Hotel to Riffelberg. Try to not stare at the Matterhorn on the way down.
• See the world’s most ridiculous elevator shaft by taking the Rote Nase cable car across from Hohtälli. Ski the fantastic freeride routes back to the valley.
• Ski absolute top to bottom from the Klein Matterhorn via the glaciers, Furgg & Furi all the way into Zermatt around 2.2km & more kilometres.
• Head to Cervinia for the day & go all the way down to Valtournenche – a ski distance of around 22km. On the way back have lunch in a rifugio & realise how much you are getting over-charged for food in Switzerland!
• Challenge yourself to ski the entire resort in a day. Start on the Sunnegga funicular. Head up to Rothorn, then across to Hohtälli & the Rote Nase. Down to Eja & the take the chairlift up to Breitboden. Traverse to Riffelalp & take the train up to Gornergrat. Ski all the way to Furi via Riffelberg, then ride up to Klein Matterhorn via Trockener Steg. Ski down to Furgg, & then take the gondola up to Schwarzsee. Ski to Stafel for the final chair ride up to Hirli.
• At the end of a ski day, do the ultimate Zermatt après ski challenge. Starting at Riffelberg, stop at all the bars down to Zermatt for at least one drink.

General Information

Ski area                                                           Zermatt-Cervinia

Total km of piste                                           Zermatt including Cervinia 360km

                                                                          Zermatt 183km

Snow range                                                    1,620-3,883m

Resort height                                                  1,620m

Piste type & runs                                           Zermatt including Cervinia 360km
(Zermatt 200km)

Number of lifts                                               Total lifts – 51

                                                                             · Funicular – 1
                                                                             · Cable cars – 10
                                                                             · Gondola – 8
                                                                             · Chairlifts – 21
                                                                             · Drag lifts – 10
                                                                             · Mountain railways – 1

Longest run                                                    Klein Matterhorn-Zermatt – 25km
Cruise all the way from the peak, over the glacier and                              down to Zermatt.

Snow parks                                                     2 in Cervinia-Zermatt

•                                                                              · 1 in Cervinia
                                                                               · 1 in Zermatt

Snow-making coverage                         75%

Where Is Zermatt Ski Resort Located exactly?

The airports closet to the ski resort are in Geneva, Sion, Milan and Zurich. From these airports, you can rent a car and drive to Tasch, but you can also take the train to Tasch. From there, take the ski resort transfer service to the resort. There is a terrain park. Snowfall is bolstered by 1,060 snow cannons.

Best time to ski in Zermatt

The main ski season in the Swiss Alps is from December to March. All of our resorts have high-altitude slopes over 1,800m with reliable snow cover, so picking when to go can come down to crowds and your budget. Christmas, New Year and half-term are the most popular weeks, so expect a fun and lively atmosphere. January and March are quietest and cheapest – choose January for better snow.