Zermatt Ski Resort Guide
Zermatt, Switzerland
Rated: 4/5 (from 6 ratings)
Recommended For | Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
---|---|
Total Piste Length | 394km245 miles |
Highest Lift | 3,900m12,795ft |
Resort Height | 1,620m5,315ft |
Nearest Airports | Sion and Geneva |
Save Money on Ski Hire | Save up to 50% |
Free Snow Reports by e-Mail | Sign Up Here |
Zermatt
Regarded by most as Switzerland's top ski resort and by many as the world's best, with the world's second biggest lift-served vertical. Picturesque and car-free with spectacular views of the Matterhorn, year-round skiing, and lift links to Breuil Cervinia in Italy.
Summary
The Swiss ski resort of Zermatt is in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 1,620m5,315ft, with 394km245 miles of marked runs.
Zermatt is one of the larger Ski Resorts in Switzerland and has direct access to 394km245 miles of downhill skiing, with 59 marked pistes, served by a total of 40 ski lifts. Zermatt is directly linked by Ski Lift to the ski areas of Breuil-Cervinia.
The ski resort itself is at 1,620m5,315ft, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 3,900m12,795ft, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Zermatt?
The next notable snow forecast is 8cm3in, expected on 26 April, with around 27cm11in forecast over the next 7 days.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Snow to 2,052m6,732ft | Snow to 1,654m5,427ft | Snow to resort |
Ski Area Stats
Zermatt Ski Area
Black Pistes Expert Trails | 21 | 47km29 miles |
---|---|---|
Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 41 | 109km68 miles |
Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 12 | 29km18 miles |
Downhill Total Length | 394km245 miles | |
Cross Country Total Length | 9km6 miles | |
Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 40 |
Altitudes
Zermatt Ski Area Heights
Highest Lift | 3,900m12,795ft |
---|---|
Lowest Piste | 1,620m5,315ft |
Resort Altitude (Zermatt) | 1,620m5,315ft |
Max Vertical | 2,280m7,480ft |
Ratings & Suitability
Expert Skiers | |
---|---|
Intermediate Skiers | |
Beginners | |
Snowboarding | |
Snow | |
Apres-Ski |
Zermatt Overview
Zermatt is one of those rare ski resorts that has it all and, as such, is a favoured destination of many skiers from around the world.
To begin with there's the huge ski area, with the world's second biggest lift-served vertical drop and skiing 365 days a year with a 1000 metre (9280 feet) vertical on its glacier even in the summer months. Then there's the village itself, peaceful thanks to the absence of the combustion engine (only small electric vehicles quietly hum around the streets along side horse drawn carriages), and picturesque with traditional buildings and many visitors arriving by the spectacular mountain railway. Thirdly there is the international resort quality and variety of accommodations, restaurants, après ski, off-slope facilities and shopping. Fourth there's the sunny location, sheltered from the wind and finally there is the spectacular backdrop to it all - the 4000m full face of the Matterhorn, one of 38 mountain peaks surrounding the village.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Zermatt is 21km13 miles long and the most difficult run is the 'Tiefbach', which is 33km21 miles in length.
Skiing
Zermatt offers some of the best skiing in the world and one of the world's biggest ski areas. The ski area is in three sections, one of which is shared with Cervinia and Valtournenche over the border in Italy.
Although the resort has a deserved reputation, like Chamonix, as a serious mountain sports Mecca, the choice is so vast that there is plenty on offer for skiers and snowboarders from beginner level up. The gentlest slopes are found on the Gornegrat 's slopes, whilst intermediates and experts will find something to entertain them on Sunnegga, especially the long Triftji black run for the latter. Key routes back down to Zermatt have snow making and the high altitude means snow down to resort level is the norm.
A haven for wintersports connoiseurs, almost 50 different special ski programs are on offer on fixed dates (contact the Tourist Board for more information). These include skiing with language courses, skiing with classical music and gastronomic specialities, skiing with indoor golf or even with dance classes.
For full-time skiers there are special courses in powder as well as hard packed snow and the option of taking the 'Haute Route' ski mountaineering and back country ski routes with guides to other classic resorts such as Chamonix and Saas Fee.
Heliskiing is also very popular around the resort with a huge range of options for serious skiers with guides.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Snowboarding
One of the world's top snowboarding destinations, the resort's terrain offers plenty to keep even the most experienced boarder happy.
Facilities include The Gravity Park on the glacier (one of the very few in the world normally open every day of the year) which has a 200m superpipe, large and small kickers, big rails, a wall ride, curved twin rails, kicked box, double kicked rainbow and s rail, c rail and straight rails.
Zermatt's three snowboarding schools the easiest ways to get to know the best parts of the mountain for Boarders.
Location and Map
Where is Zermatt?
This ski resort is in the Swiss Alps in Visp, Valais.
Map
Tap for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Zermatt is Sion, 100 minutes drive away.
Geneva airport is also within three hours drive.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 40 ski lifts are able to uplift 75,180 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, with 350 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Zermatt open?
Closes : May 1, 2021.
Zermatt is usually open all year.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
COVID-19 / Coronavirus
We don't yet have specific details of the COVID-19 precautions being taken in Zermatt, but they are likely to include most of the following :-
- Face masks required on lifts, and in shops.
- Social distancing in public areas.
- Reduced lift capacity.
- Extensive disinfection / sanitization.
French Ski Resort COVID-19 Measures describes further measures that may also be applied.
Visit the Zermatt Tourist Office for the latest.
Talking about Zermatt
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Zermatt Webcams
The Webcams in Zermatt are not always up-to-date. Please check the date on the image to ensure you are seeing current snow conditions.
Mountain Bike Hire
There is downhill mountain biking available and you can rent Mountain Bikes in Zermatt.
Aprés Ski
Zermatt has some of the most sophisticated night life in the Alps, as well as some of the liveliest.
Straight after the lifts close Hennu Stall on the lower part of the Furi descent (Schwarzee - Klein Matterhorn ski area) is usually lively. There's a big bar and terrace, sometimes live music and gluhwein, beer and shots a plenty. It can also be reached on foot from the village. The Olympia Stubl on the route down from Sunegga has live bands every day and a good terrace.
The Papperla pub in the village can be reached by ski if the snow is good enough. It has a lively atmosphere, DJs and a huge drinks selection.
The Hotel Post with its various bars, discos and dance club is the most popular spot in town and an institution in its own right. Known as the 'Postli' to the locals, there's Papa Caesar's wine, whisky and cocktails bar, the Brown Cow snack bar and pub, The Pink live music bar, the Broken Bar (disco) and the Village Dance Club - so this one venue has more nightlife that the total combined in many other ski resorts!
The Vernissage Bar and cinema was built and decorated by Heinz Julen, Zermatt's most famous artist and includes a lounge bar on the upper floor and a cinema on the lower where parties and concerts take place.
Folklore and live music are performed at Dancing Simi. There's also a cinema in Zermatt along with more than 40 public bars and nine nightclubs for dancing through to the early hours.