As the most famous ski resort SwitzerlandZermatt will fulfill all your expectations of what a ski holiday should be. Surrounded by mountainous regions, picturesque chateau and panoramic views set the scene, with the world-famous Matterhon sparkling in the background. So we bring you a complete guide to Zermatt Switzerland!
Zermatt’s Guide
Zermatt Town
Wherever you are in Zermatt, you are not too far from the events of the town. In town, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from to cater to your budget (they have a McDonald’s).
In town, if you want to satisfy your sweet teeth, you will find a wide range of Swiss chocolatiers! The crepes seem to be a real hit, too, with some crepers on Main Street and many cafes on the menu.
If you forget something before hitting the slopes, you’ll never have a problem finding a wealth of ski goggles and sportswear in town.
If you’re not planning on skiing, there’s still a lot to do to keep you busy with Zarmat for 5-7 days, from the ice rink to the Central Matterhorn Museum. However, most vacationers arrive to hit the slopes, so despite the mid-school evaluations of most mountains, if you haven’t skied before considering lessons, you’ll find a suitable slope for beginners (especially around Sunnegan – read more).
Where to stay in Zermatt?
Although it is smaller in size, Zermatt is the first and foremost vacation ski town, so there are plenty of accommodation options. However, it should be said early on that Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s best ski destinations, and that prices are not only the most expensive ski lift passes in the country, but also some of the prices for the most expensive hotels and chalets. Tempston Luxury offers the best catering and self-curtain private property! Rent Zermatt’s luxurious ski chalets via Tempston and expect a private pool, hot tub, sauna, staff and more!
At Zermatt we checked in at the comfortable Four Star Ski Hotel, a Sunstar style hotel. There’s nothing too far in Zermatt, but this hotel was located a 5-10 minute walk from the city centre, so it was well away from the town business without walking all the way to the centre.
If you’re looking for the best, the Hotel Monterosa is an incredible pick in the heart of Zermatt.
Hit the slope
One thing is certain when you’re in Zermatt. You will be amazed at the size of the mountain and all its offerings. Often, it is overwhelming that due to the complete map of slopes, lifts and trains, it can take almost a week or two. There are many Swiss ski resorts to choose from, but bookings are recommended in advance once the winter season fills up quickly.
For advanced skiers, around 20% of the mountains are classified as black, and although local guides are recommended before tackling this type of terrain, there is plenty of opportunity to ski Piste.
Intermediate skiers have endless slopes to choose from across three main sectors, including the option to ski across the border to Italy. A third of mountain rides are classified as red, so there is ample opportunity to experience different aspects of the mountain. Cervinia is the perfect place to get started and offers you the opportunity to see Matterhorn up close!
For beginner skiers (like me!), Zermatt looks very intimidating at first, with only 16% of the mountains classified as Blue Run. Sunnegga is a great place to start on some mild slopes. Other spots for beginners include TäschSki Lift and Randa Ski Lift.
Where to eat at Zermatt?
If you’re new to Switzerland, be prepared for the rich flavors of the rich Swiss cuisine (just remembering some of these dishes is drooling.
The best value for money is Chez Vrony, a popular Montain restaurant.
Another popular option in the mountains is Findlerhof, taking in the Matterhorn views on a sunny day.
If you’re a cheese lover, be sure to jump into Saycheese! To test the delicateness of the local Swiss. Cheese fondue! This is a real treat as it really warms you up during the winter.
And the fine diners have a variety of gastronomic restaurants served throughout town. Don’t expect to make a difference in your pocket.
How to get to Zermatt Switzerland
Although connections to Zurich, Basel and Geneva are over three hours, the easiest and most friendly way to do so is by train, so going to Zermatt is a journey itself. Bern is the closest Swiss city to connect, although flights to the capital are limited.
Via Zurich
Zurich is very well connected to international destinations, so it may be the easiest city to fly from abroad. We flew with Emirates, which offers 3 flights per day from Dubai. From there, the train journey takes about 3-3.5 hours with one or two connections.
Via Geneva
Geneva is also well connected, but the train journey to Zermatt is a little longer at 3 hours and 50 minutes, with a change in VISP. The car travel is a bit short (within 3 hours), but Zermatt is free for the car so you will need to leave the car on Tasch.
Via Basel
Another viable option is to make a 3 hour and 15 minute train journey and dive into Basel on a train journey that requires one or two changes.
World of Wanderlust stayed at Sunstar Hotel as a guest of Zermatt Tourism, and all the opinions and a wealth of photos are my own!