Whether you’ve tasted a Toblerone or taken a ride on the famous Disney coaster, chances are you have heard of the iconic Matterhorn. Home to this mountain, the walkable town of Zermatt is one of the best winter destinations for skiiers and non-skiiers alike.
GETTING HERE
Unless you are already in Switzerland, you’ll likely fly into Zurich or Geneva. The only way to reach Zermatt is by train, and most people (myself included) connect through Visp before heading up the mountain. You can purchase tickets for the trains directly through SBB or via Trainline, a useful third-party site.
SKIING IN ZERMATT
Of course, one of the most popular reasons for visiting Zermatt is to hit the slopes. Zermatt is the fifth largest ski area in Europe and has 52 different ski lifts – including a few in Italy!
Lift Tickets
The fares for the lift tickets vary depending on where you’d like to ski. If you’re only planning to ski for a day or two of your trip, it’s worth sticking to the Swiss-only pass since there is a lot of mountain to ski in Switzerland. If you’re planning on 3 or more days, the international pass is worthwhile! Tip: If you plan to ski into Italy, be sure to check the weather as the lift is sometimes closed due to high winds. If this happens, you can be stranded in Italy until the lift opens again (sometimes overnight).
Ski Rentals
There are plenty of rental shops in the town where you can get all the equipment you will need. Fun fact: If you’d rather not pack your bulky ski clothing, you can rent jackets and ski pants as well.
Getting to the Lift
There is a free shuttle bus with stops throughout the town including in front of ski lifts and rental locations. There is a schedule posted in front of each stop that you can refer to for planning purposes. The shuttles run more frequently in the morning and evening as people head to/from the mountain.
Mountain Restaurants. Zermatt is home to some incredible on-piste dining options. Here are a few recommendations:
IGLU-DORF – A boutique hotel made up of igloos. This cute spot overlooks the Matterhorn and is the perfect stop for a midday drink, cocoa, snack, or even mountaintop fondue. You don’t need a reservation for the fondue, but if you have a large group or want to guarantee a seated table, I do recommend trying for a booking.
CHEZ VRONY – A family owned boutique hotel and mountain restaurant. Serving Swiss classics, this is a popular spot for a mountain lunch or a quick drink after a last run. Booking highly recommended for lunch.
FINDLERHOF – Another popular Swiss restaurant right next to Chez Vrony. It’s impossible to miss all of the skis lined up outside as people enjoy dining/drinking here. As with most, booking highly recommended for lunch.
Après Ski. No European ski trip is complete without an après ski experience. A few recommendations on the mountain include CERVO, Hennu Stall (can get a bit rowdy), Bergrestaurant Blatten, and Champagne Bar. In town, Harry’s Bar is another popular spot where, starting from around 5 PM, you will find crowds of people fresh off the mountain (ski gear and all).
ZERMATT TOWN
Getting around. Zermatt is a no-car town. Here, the only transportation you will find are small, electric cabs and shuttle buses. Luckily, the town of Zermatt is incredibly walkable, so once you are luggage-free you will be able to see everything on foot. Depending on your accommodation, the hotel may send a free pickup to retrieve you and your luggage. If not, you can walk a short distance from the train station and take one of the free shuttle buses to near your hotel.
Dining recommendations: There are many incredible restaurants scattered throughout the town of Zermatt. As mentioned, many of these restaurants are small and book up quickly, so be sure to plan in advance.
OSTERIA BELLA ITALIA – An Italian restaurant with a very cozy, home-y feel. Located in the heart of Zermatt, across from the Zermatterhoff hotel.
RESTAURANT WHYMPER-STUBE – Also in the heart of Zermatt, this restaurant is known for its fondue. The building holds a bit of Zermatt history, as Edward Whymper-Stube began his journey to the peak of the Matterhorn from this hotel.
STEFANIE’S CREPERIE – A cute, hole in the wall serving savory and sweet crêpes. We tried a fondue crêpe and a saumon fumé (smoked salmon) crêpe and both were to die for! Pro tip: They accept cash only.
SONNMATTEN RESTAURANT – This restaurant is a bit outside the town center, but well worth the journey. Located in Andermatt, this restaurant is located in the bottom floor of a quaint B&B (where I actually stayed) and serves up incredible Swiss fare in a cozy, living-room like atmosphere.
ACCOMMODATIONS
SONNMATTEN – You may recognize this from the recommended restaurants list above. This is the perfect place to stay if you plan to spend the days on the slopes. Sonnmatten is a beautiful boutique hotel located about 5 minutes from the ski lift. There is a shuttle stop directly in front of the hotel if you’d rather not walk with ski gear. They have a gorgeous outdoor deck where you can enjoy a drink or meal with an epic view of the Matterhorn. Because of its location, this is a more affordable option in the area.
RIFFELHAUS – This stunning hotel is located up the Riffelberg mountain. The location makes it a convenient option to ski directly in and out. Enjoy their amenities and view of the Matterhorn.
GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOFF – This grand hotel sits in the center of Zermatt town. A luxurious option for anyone looking to be pampered in the mountains. Zermatterhoff is home to restaurants such as Prato Borni (one Michelin star) and the fondue restaurant, Say Cheese! Whether you stay here or not, a walk through the lobby is a fun activity!
CERVO MOUNTAIN RESORT – This eco-friendly hotel is located at the base of a mountain. This is another great ski in, ski out option as well as a luxurious escape. There are multiple restaurants on the property, a lovely spa, a yoga deck and other wellness-promoting amenities. There is also an après ski deck open to guests and visitors alike.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
If skiing is not for you, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Zermatt.
Snowshoeing. Bundle up and head out on one of the many mountain trails. Check out the Zermatt website to see which trails are open. You can also see the difficulty levels of each.
Ice skating. There is a large ice skating rink located in the middle of the town of Zermatt. The rink is free to use, and you can bring your own skates or rent from a shop nearby.
Have a spa day. Many of the hotels in Zermatt have world-class spas and wellness centers. Book yourself a treatment or just enjoy access to a sauna and/or heated pool with a view.
Shopping. The town is full of cute boutiques selling everything from souvenirs to ski apparel. Pop into one of the many chocolate shops to try some divine Swiss chocolates – the perfect souvenir for loved ones as well!
Happy skiing!
