Zermatt December Skiing

Hi Guys, I'm thinking of visiting Zermatt around the 9th Dec this year, having looked into the past snow conditions in Dec it looks okay. Any information would be helpful.
Im taking my Kids aged 16 & 14, are there places to eat without booking restaurants.
We always stay ski in ski out or central and close to the lifts, so any hotel recommendations.

Cheers

Paul

From what I've heard, take a credit card with a very, very large credit limit

It was a concern, but I skied Verbier on a boys trip two years ago, which could be expensive if you wanted it to, I wouldn't anticipate it being any different than there. Hopefully I receive plenty more feed back that may give me a better indication on the level of costs.

Thanks for the message

Paul

No idea what the snow conditions will be like, they weren't very good in early December last year as it was very warm. There are about 150 restaurants in Zermatt so finding something to eat at that time of the season won't be a problem, there's always McDonalds! It would be best if you stayed near to the Matterhorn express gondola station, the Antares, Berghof, Bijou, Matterhorn Focus, Sun Valley Lodge and Zurbriggen Suitenhotel are all in the vicinity. It will be expensive, Zermatt has the most expensive lift pass in Europe and the Pound has lost over 45% of its value against the Swiss Franc since 2007.

If it was me and I only live about 1½ hrs away from Zermatt I would go to Cervinia. The lift pass is cheaper and the Pound has only lost 20% against the Euro over the same period of time.

Zermatt was expensive when we last skied there December 2014. With the weak £, it will be even more expensive this coming season. There are some cheaper restaurants in town but I've not come across anything similar when you are on the mountain. Cervinia is much cheaper in terms of food. However, in my opinion, the skiing and general 'ambience' is much superior on the Zermatt side.

However, I doubt the skiing will be great around 9th December, certainly not lower down and, whilst cold, there may not have been sufficient snow at high level as well to open all of the runs.

Thank you SwingBeep & Bedrock Barney for all your feedback, it sounds like Cervinia could be the better option. Nothing shall be booked until the Snow arrives. Is there a particular area in Cervinia that I should be looking for accommodation.

Thanks Again

Paul

I am not sure you need to worry about snow arriving in Cervinia. Consistently has the best early snow in the Alps and is open a few months before you arrive.

Thanks for your in put Ranchero, it sounds like I should book.