Most are familiar with Zermatt whether they’ve heard of the tiny village or not. Switzerland’s iconic Matterhorn mountain peak rises up over the village and its image has been featured in Ricola commercials and slapped on every Toblerone chocolate bar for years. There is probably no mountain on earth with a more picturesque peak.
Naturally, to see the mountain in person was on our bucket list and it had been ever since our first Toblerone as children. With that in mind, it was an easy decision to add Zermatt to the list of destinations in Switzerland on our European ski tour. Our arrival to Zermatt Ski Resort was late in the evening, so when we opened our hotel room window and looked up to see the sun setting on the mountain peak, it took our breath away.
In spite of traveling so much of the world, there are those moments that still make us go “whoa!” What made it all better is that we would spend the next three days snowboarding and skiing at Zermatt Ski Resort. Along with being a picturesque mountain village, Zermatt is known to have one of the best ski resorts in the world.
An Introduction to Zermatt Ski Resort
Skiing and Snowboard at Zermatt Ski Resort is World Class
One of the main reasons people flock to Zermatt from all over the world is the incredible ski and snowboarding. Zermatt Ski Resort is the highest ski resort in Europe, envelops two countries, has 99% guaranteed snow, and is open 365 days a year. If you are a ski or snowboard enthusiast a ski trip to Zermatt should be on your bucket list.
We spent three jam-packed days skiing in Zermatt and I can say with certainty that the area is one of the most jaw-dropping and extensive ski areas in the world. It’s not common to be intimidated by ski resorts, but the mountains here are huge and butterflies in the stomach are common for every skill level.
Never fear though Zermatt Ski Resort boasts 360 km of groomed pistes, suitable for every level and showcasing a wide range of terrain. The Snowpark Zermatt is accessible via cable car and offers freestyle skiers and snowboarders unparalleled views of the Matterhorn with a world-class park. Ski touring, free-riding and heliskiing are all also popular activities in Switzerland’s most famous town.
Zermatt Ski Resort is world-famous for its long ski runs, and at some point between 2500 and 3900 meters I wondered if I would ever reach the bottom of the run. It is a skier’s dream with so many freeride possibilities and pistes. All of this unfolds under the watchful gaze of the Matterhorn that dominates the landscape.
Perhaps one of the most interesting and intriguing aspects of skiing in Zermatt is the fact that you can literally start your ski day in Switzerland and ski or board right down into Italy for lunch. Zermatt’s ski area expands across Switzerland and Italy.
Access to both the Swiss and Italian ski area is doable with the Ski Pass International which gives access to pistes in both Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia ski resort. The other great thing about this two country one ski area thing is that you can save a little money on food! Everyone knows how expensive Switzerland is, and here you can ride right into Italy for a cheaper cappuccino or panini.
We made sure to take full advantage of this while boarding in Switzerland. One word of advice, make sure you are in the right country before they close the lifts otherwise you’ll be staying in a different country for the night. We had only three nights and two days at Zermatt Ski Resort, but I would recommend at least five to ski the mountain and not feel rushed. There is just so much to explore.
Why Zermatt is Referred to as the “Matterhorn” Ski Resort
Zermatt Ski Resort is often referred to as “The Matterhorn Ski Resort.” The Matterhorn rises up in a pyramidal peak of 4,478 meters over Switzerland and Italy. Making it one of the highest summits in Europe.
It’s a breathtaking mountain and has captivated all that have laid eyes on the mountain. It can be seen from Zermatt, the Italian town of Breuil-Cervini, and the Canton of Valais (we saw it from Mont Fort!). Almost every day there are people climbing it, but over 500 people have died while attempting the feat. For skilled climbers, it takes 8-10 hours to summit the North Peak.
I wish I could tell you first-hand information about climbing the Matterhorn. However, I prefer to keep my feet firmly on the ground or attached to a snowboard. You don’t have to climb the Matterhorn to enjoy the views. From many mountain huts and points in Zermatt, you can see the world’s most iconic mountain and there are many points where you can ski right next to it!
Enjoy Apres Ski at Zermatt Ski Resort
If it’s not the Matterhorn, the car-free town, or the pistes that draw you to Zermatt then let me introduce you to the world of Apres Ski. According to Ditionary.com, the definition of Apres Ski is “social activities and entertainment following a day’s skiing.” And there are not many places in Europe that do Apres Ski better than Zermatt.
The village is known for its fun crowds and live bands. It’s considered one of the best party ski resorts in Switzerland. At the end of every day on the mountain skiers and boarders from everywhere come to gather at some of the many mountain huts at the base of the Matterhorn. Try out Hennu Stall, Cervo, or Elsie’s Bar!
Enjoy the Zermatt Ski Resort Village
Young, old, skiers, or just casual vacationers in search of a charming Swiss atmosphere head to this mountain village. The village of Zermatt has been drawing people in since the early 1800’s. What was once a poor farming village is now one of Europe’s most posh places to vacation.
The center caters to all and has everything you could need – boutique hotels, designer shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, adventure sports shops, grocery stores, bars, and stunning views.
Walking around this car-free village felt just like a fairy tale and I feel spoiled to enjoy it on our first ski trip around the world. The town is walkable and well worth a daytime or nighttime stroll. Due to building ordinances, the modern town still feels like a journey back in time. We had fun searching for old-style Swiss homes and watching the ice skaters under the starry sky.
How to Get to Zermatt Ski Resort
As mentioned before Zermatt is a completely car-free village to ensure a great atmosphere and fresh mountain air. However, there are e-buses and e-taxis to get people around. The buses are free while the taxis will cost you an arm and a leg. The best way to get to Zermatt is via train. Switzerland has an extensive rail network and the Glacier Express runs right into Zermatt.
It’s also possible to catch the train from just about anywhere in Switzerland via a number of transfers. Train travel is super easy in Switzerland and how we chose to get around, that way you can just look out the window and admire the views without a care in the world. If you choose to drive in you’ll have to park your car in a parking garage in Täsch and continue onwards by train.
Rent a Car in Switzerland
Rental Car
If you want freedom and flexibility you’ll need to get your own rental car in Switzerland. Some car rental comparison sites are:
My favorites to look at are:
- RentalCars.com: Provides comparisons for car rentals in Scotland.
- AutoEurope: I can often find deals here for car rentals in Europe.
- Discover Car Hire: Searches rental car prices around the globe.
Compare Rates
Other Things to do in Zermatt Besides Ski
Zermatt is a year-round destination and as popular as it is in the winter, I think it draws even more people in in the summer. Other activities besides ski include:
Winter:
- Snowshoe trails
- 70 km of hiking trails
- Toboggan
- Cross country ski
- Ice skate
- Paraglide
- Visit the Igloo Village
Summer:
- Hike
- Mountain bike
- Climb 4000-meter mountains
- Enjoy 21 km of slopes still!
- Golf
- Enjoy the alpine lakes
- Paragliding
31 Amazing Things To Do In Zermatt!
Quick Switzerland Travel Tips
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Swiss German:”Hallo” and “Danke” French: “Bonjour” and “Merci”Italian: “Buongiorno” (formal) “Ciao” (informal) and “Grazie”
- Currency: Swiss Franc
- Visa: Schengen Visa, 90 days in the European Union out of 180. Many nationalities are granted this on arrival for free. Check with your embassy to see if that is you.
- What to Pack: Depends highly on the season and what you are doing. Mountain and hiking clothes are always a good idea in the summer, while you will definitely need your cold-weather gear in the winter. Don’t forget the ski gear if you plan on going skiing in the majestic Swiss Alps!
- You’ll need a special adaptor for travel in Switzerland as they use the Type J outlet. This universal travel adaptor is the one I have and it worked well!
Plan For Your Trip
- Protect Your Trip: We don’t travel without travel insurance, nor should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans.
- Find Cheap Flights: Sign up for Going (formerly Scotts Cheap Flights) to get notified when prices get low.
- Book a Rental Car: We use Discover Car to book all our rental cars! You can also read our top tips for renting a car abroad here.
- Travel Adapter: Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
- Travel Backpack: We like the Nomatic Travel Backpack for our travels. Check the price here.
- Our Favorite Travel Shoes: Our answer to this question is always Allbirds! Check them out on their site!
- Get a Travel Credit Card: We travel worldwide for free because we have leveraged our spending into points. See how you can do the same with our favorite travel credit cards.
