Zermatt

Zermatt’s electros (electric taxis) are the main form of transport around town. Regular cars are not allowed, apart from exceptional circumstances (such as ambulances, or those with written permission from the police). Those who wish to drive to Zermatt can find parking in Tasch and then take the train shuttle or a taxi the last, short leg of the journey. Once in Zermatt, you can either walk, take an electric taxi, or use the village's free small electric bus service to get around.

We have some excellent beginner terrain in Zermatt. The resort’s mascot, Wolli the Sheep, has his own beginner area, with a number of magic carpet lifts, open to all ages. With ES that’s where we will get started with beginner kids groups and private lessons. From there, skiers can progress onto their first blue runs with chairlifts and beyond. It is a nice progression and your first chairlifts start not far from the beginner area. As a beginner, you will start skiing from the Sunnegga area, and so it can be helpful to have accommodation nearby.

Yes of course! Zermatt boasts some of Europe’s highest skiing and its glacier welcomes skiers 365 days a year. In November usually only the Klein Matterhorn side is open, but it is sometimes possible to ski over the border to Cervinia in Italy, depending on snow conditions. With the altitude and beginning of winter, temperatures in the resort can be pretty low, so it’s important to wrap up.

127km. Zermatt to Verbier takes around 1h 45mins by car, however, if travelling by train, around 3h 30mins.

Geneva is approximately 200km from Zermatt. You can catch a train from the airport train station and arrive in Zermatt in around four hours. By car, the journey should take 2 hours 35mins. If arriving by car, you need to park in Tasch and take the train up to resort, unless you use a local taxi company. The drive is very scenic as you travel through beautiful Swiss valleys, passing lakes and peaks as you go.

Geneva, Zurich or Sion are the main airports for Zermatt. From Geneva, catch a train from the airport train station. It should take approximately four hours by train or 2 hours 35mins by car. Zurich takes around 3.5 hours by train, a little more by car. Sion is closer than Geneva but offers less choice regarding flights. Sion is mostly for private aircraft. It should take 2.5hours by train or just over an hour by car.

Zermatt is most known for its proximity to the Matterhorn. You can see it from just about everywhere in the village. Although it may not be the highest peak around, it is undoubtedly the most dramatic. From the town, the summit is almost pyramidal and has inspired many artists, climbers, filmmakers, even chocolatiers. Zermatt is also famous for its ski resort and high glaciers, allowing visitors to ski and snowboard 365 days a year.

What do you think of first when someone says Switzerland? Most likely broad open meadows, cowbells and chocolate all come to mind. Zermatt is no exception. Summer sports enthusiasts come to hike, mountain bike, climb and fly during the summer months. The highest peaks retain their snow, and the long glaciers reveal deep crevasses. Lifts and railways continue to run throughout the summer to give access to spectacular views. Zermatt is almost as popular in the summer as in the winter, with lots of people coming for hiking, as well as just enjoying the views. Almost forgot to mention, you can also ski in Zermatt in the summer. Just ask us and we are happy to arrange an instructor for you.

Zermatt isn’t really like anywhere else. Car-free streets, alpine chalets and Matterhorn views, it’s a pretty unique town. When you arrive at the train station, you are immediately in amongst it all. Electric taxis are waiting to whisk you away to your accommodation or there are also two electric bus routes. The town is nestled in a valley with high walls to your right as you look up to the Matterhorn and the length of the ski resort to your left.

There are two main stations in Zermatt town. When you first arrive, you will disembark at the main station or Zermatt Bahnhof. Then right across the street is the Gornergratbahn, the world’s 10th highest railway. The cog rack train climbs to an elevation of 3090m. This train is open to walkers and skiers alike.

Snow can come to Zermatt at any time of year although it’s most likely to start snowing significantly in November/December. Then it should continue well into April, sometimes May. Because of the height of the glaciers, rain down in the town during summer can fall as snow up high. So you can get snow on the tops of the mountains even in July and August.

Typically the main winter season in Zermatt will end in late April. If it’s a particularly good winter season, then it may last a little longer. Similarly, if the snow is melting quicker, the season may be shortened. However, the glacier area is open 365 days a year, so skiing is always possible in Zermatt.

The winter season in Zermatt tends to start late November. The resort opens fully from early December, with access to the Sunnegga and Gornergrat areas to as well as the Glacier (which is open all year round). The winter season tends to last until late April, good snow permitting. The resort has extensive artificial snowmaking facilities to combat low snow seasons. Even after the winter has finished, you can ski on the glacier all year round.

In the early 19th century the Matterhorn was considered unclimbable. Which of course attracted a lot of attention from mountaineers. Zermatt’s first Hotel opened in 1838 to support increasing interest in the area’s climbing potential. Edward Whymper's successful summit in 1865 bought the area fame and so began its journey to become one of the world’s most wealthy tourist locations. Before this, it was just a quiet farming town with little documenting it before the 13th century. Today, there is still a charming historic centre to the village, as well as some grand 19th century hotels. For more information, you can visit the Zermatt museum in the centre of the village.

Air Zermatt is the town’s air ambulance service. They deal with everything from skiing injuries to crevasse rescues. They are based at the bottom end in the village to provide quick access to the mountain, then to hospitals further down the valley. You can also take a helicopter sightseeing flight with them, and see the Matterhorn from above. They also offer helicopter transfers to the airports.

Zermatt is in the South-west of Switzerland on the map. It is situated close to the Swiss/Italian border, almost directly north of Turin. Geneva lies around 200km to the west. From the highest parts of Zermatt resort, one can see into both Italy and France. The village itself is at the top end of the Mattertal valley.

Lift passes can be pre-ordered online, which could be beneficial as they may be discounted when you do so. Or you can buy them at the ski lift base stations at Sunnegga and Klein Matterhorn. Children under 9 years old ski for free.

Zermatt is located in the Swiss Canton of Valais. The capital of the Valais is Sion, some 38 km from Zermatt. Languages spoken include German, French and Swiss German. Though the Matterhorn may be the Canton’s most famous landmark, other points of interest in the Valais include the Aletsch Glacier, Furka Pass, and Grimsel Pass. Zermatt is in the German speaking part of the canton of Valais.

People from all walks of life visit Zermatt. Celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Nicole Kidman have all been seen in town over the years. The resort is also popular with families, corporate trips, mountaineers and so on. It’s a tremendous all-around resort.

Zermatt is most famous for the Matterhorn and, in particular, its historic first summit by Edward Whymper on the 14th of July 1865. The race to become the first to climb the pyramidal peak gave the small farming town global recognition and slowly it developed into the town we know today. Plenty come to climb or see the famous mountain still today. The ski area is huge, varied and usually has fantastic snow, due to the altitude.

Zermatt is regularly voted as one of the world’s most beautiful ski resorts. It’s not only the Matterhorn that catches people’s eye though, but there are also many 4000m peaks in the area, many of which are higher than the Toblerone Mountain. When skiing up on the glacier one is greeted with views into Italy to the south, jagged Swiss peaks to the north and beautiful blue ice showing through. You have a great variety of runs from beginner slopes to expert, and a huge ski area that means you can keep exploring even if you return time after time.

That is a big question in Zermatt, though perhaps the answer is “whatever you like”. Take a walk along the main high-street at 5 pm, and you will see everything from ski gear to fur coats. For many, Zermatt is a place to make a statement and one wouldn’t be out of place showing off a Gucci handbag or Hublot watch. Then again it’s perfectly acceptable to wander around in jeans and a baggy ski jacket. Our advice is to stay comfortable and wrap up warm as it can get very cold especially in December and January.