Saas Fee vs Zermatt

Which is prettier? Which might be a better choice for my mid-December trip?

I am pretty sure Tino has been to both but I'd imagine it is quite difficult to get much 'prettier' than this.

I have been to both. Saas-Fee village is dominated by the glacier, and can be a bit dark in early season. Zermatt is a much bigger village c.6000 locals, has more of a town feel to the place. A bit of hiking to the lifts in ski boots, may be needed. However the ski area has much more potential for off-piste in early season IMHO. Much more spread out ski area, bigger choice of hotels/restaurants etc Both places are pretty but there is only 1 Matterhorn!

bandit wrote:... there is only 1 Matterhorn!...

Isn't it cheaper to view it from Italy though? :mrgreen:

Zermatt for a holiday.
Saas Fee to live, if I had the chance.

Hamish Macbeth wrote:

bandit wrote:... there is only 1 Matterhorn!...

Isn't it cheaper to view it from Italy though? :mrgreen:

Then it would be Il Cervino )

I have skied Cervinia, but have no idea of the off piste opportunity early season. Anyone?

Zermatt would be my choice, although I would also consider Cervinia before Saas Fe, certainly in December.

Snowbird, "pretty" is an odd word to use, so I'm guessing that you might mean the villages. I put them both the same, in that both have retained their historic elements. Zermatt, however is dominated by the Matterhorn.

It is pretty much the same on the Swiss side of the Matterhorn, once you are on the mountain. Endless photo opportunities.

Saas Fee really good also, and at Saas Grund you can touch the side of the glacier, as you are skiing.

Back to Matterhorn country, skiing pleasant on Cervinia side, Matterhorn just looks quite ordinary. We all felt that Cervinia was not as inspiring a town as Zermatt.

You need to do both, Zermatt first.