Zermatt ski and snowboard resort
Zermatt is a medieval alpine farming town with the world famous Matterhorn forming a backdrop and a mountaineering history going back over 100 years. These days Zermatt is a top international winter ski and snowboard resort with a serious pedigree. An extensive lift system and top class terrain insures skiers and snowboarders of all abilities are catered for whilst the town of Zermatt provides a charming retreat with a good selection of upmarket shops, high class hotels and top quality restaurants.
Zermatt resort ski lift system
Zermatt’s skiing and snowboarding arena will keep even the keenest skiers and snowboarders happy for weeks with its vast network of pistes split between two main ski and snowboard areas. Zermatt’s lift system extends over the Italian border to the resort of Cervinia providing an entirely different ski, snowboard or telemark experience and a more unusual view of the Matterhorn. Here, long wide and mostly red ski and snowboard pistes sweep down the Italian side for miles all the way down to the town itself. The Matterhorn dominates the scenery and the mountain is better known as the Cervin on the Italian side and viewing it from here gives a different perspective to the majestic peak.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Dominated by the towering and charismatic Matterhorn, Zermatt has grown from an ancient village into a bustling cosmopolitan winter resort full of charm and character. The resort of Zermatt is car free and the main shopping street is pedestrian only apart from the electric taxis and buses that ferry visitors from one end to the other. Old wooden chalets stand next to modern hotels, all sympathetically designed to blend in with the traditional environment.
The best way to reach Zermatt is by train from Brig, which has good connections from Geneva or Zurich. At the main railway station in the centre of Zermatt electric taxis will bring you to your hotel, apartment or chalet quickly and efficiently. There is plenty to do for non skiers and snowboarders in Zermatt with a great shopping area, ice rinks, sports centres and maybe the chance to spot a famous celebrity.
The best way to reach Zermatt is by train from Brig, which has good connections from Geneva or Zurich. At the main railway station in the centre of Zermatt electric taxis will bring you to your hotel, apartment or chalet quickly and efficiently. There is plenty to do for non skiers and snowboarders in Zermatt with a great shopping area, ice rinks, sports centres and maybe the chance to spot a famous celebrity.
Zermatt resort details
Beginners |
Good |
|---|---|
Intermediates |
Excellent |
Advanced |
Excellent |
On piste |
Excellent |
Off piste |
Excellent |
Snowboarding |
Excellent |
Extensive area |
Very good |
Restaurants |
Excellent |
Night life |
Good |
Snow record |
Very good |
Resort charm |
Excellent |
Travelling times to Zermatt (are approximate)
Geneva |
4 hours |
|---|---|
Sion |
1.5 hours |
Resort altitude |
1620 m |
Vertical drop |
1620 m - 3899 m |
Up lift capacity |
57 lifts |
Piste KM |
315 |
Mountain Restaurants and Apres Ski in Zermatt
Zermatt probably has the best choice of mountain restaurants serving gourmet food anywhere in the world. The old hamlet of Zum See is famed for its eateries including Chez Vrony which serves excellent food. If you want Rosti try Restaurant Blatten just below Furi where you will also find the excellent restaurant Simi serving local dishes on a wood grill. Trockner Steg ski lift station is the location for Pizzeria Cervino, a convenient stop for good quality pizza cooked in a wood burning oven.
There is an abundance of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Zermatt. A wide variety of cuisines are available including traditional specialities, haute cuisine and Asian treats. There are good reports from Le Gitan which serves grilled meat and seafood dishes and also the rustic Schaferstube in the Hotel Julen. For Japanese cuisine including high quality sushi, Myoko is highly recommended.
After the lifts have shut and later on into the evening Zermatt has plenty to offer in the way of bars and clubs. The Post Hotel is the place to go if you are looking for a one stop entertainment venue. Caesar’s bar is upstairs, Pink with Jazz is below and two nightclubs, Le Village (dance music) and Le Broken (classic disco) will keep you partying all night long.
There is an abundance of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Zermatt. A wide variety of cuisines are available including traditional specialities, haute cuisine and Asian treats. There are good reports from Le Gitan which serves grilled meat and seafood dishes and also the rustic Schaferstube in the Hotel Julen. For Japanese cuisine including high quality sushi, Myoko is highly recommended.
After the lifts have shut and later on into the evening Zermatt has plenty to offer in the way of bars and clubs. The Post Hotel is the place to go if you are looking for a one stop entertainment venue. Caesar’s bar is upstairs, Pink with Jazz is below and two nightclubs, Le Village (dance music) and Le Broken (classic disco) will keep you partying all night long.
