Zermatt

Zermatt, Switzerland

Rated: 4/5 (from 6 ratings)

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.

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.

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.