Updated on:
Zermatt is one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe. This charming, pedestrian-only ski town nestled deep in the Alps is one of my very favorite places, and skiing or snowbording in Zermatt is a must for winter sports lovers. I visited Zermatt last year for the first time since college and was so enamored with this postcard town, and the slopes were unreal! Keep reading for my ultimate guide to skiing in Zermatt and how to plan the perfect Swiss Alps trip!
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Use my Zermatt Travel Guide for additional tips for planning your trip to Zermatt!
Zermatt Mountain/Trail Details
Zermatt is massive, and offers tons of terrain for everyone! Your lift ticket will get you access to all the areas of Zermatt, including all the trains, cable cars & gondolas to access the areas of the mountain. It can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ll do my best to try to break down each area of the mountain, and where I recommend exploring!
Zermatt has 3 main areas of its ski resort that can each be access from downtown Zermatt, once you’re in the different areas there are a variety of trails & gondolas/charilifts servicing that area. From the top of Zermatt (Matterhorn Glaicer Paradise) you can even ski from Zermatt into Italy! More on that below
Areas of Zermatt Ski Resort
- Sunnega/Rothorn
- Gornergrat
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise/Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn
- Italy: Breuil-Cervinia
Sunnega/Rothorn
Sunnega is best fot beginners/families & those looking for amazing Matterhorn views, sunny conditions & terrain at a bit of a lower altitude. Sunnega is home to Wolli’s Park for Beginners. For more of a challenge head up from Sunnega to Rothorn where you’ll find more intermediate and advanced terrain.
How to Get to Sunnega/Rothorn
From Zermatt town grab the Zermat –> Sunnega funicular. See the Google Maps location here. This funicular train takes about 5 minutes and brings you to Sunnega. From Sunnega you can take the Blauherd Lift, and from there you can take the Blauherd –> Rothorn cable car.
Sunnega/Rothorn Restautants
- Sunnega – Chez Vrony – this is one of the most popular spots in Zermatt, make reservations!
- Sunnega – Adler Hitta
- Sunnega – Findlerhof
- Sunnega – Bergrestaurant @Paradise
- Rothorn – Blue Lounge
- Rothorn – Fluhalp (Mountain Hut & Restaurant)
Gornergrat
Ideal for intermediates, but also home to some beginner and advanced terrain. Gornerat is one of the most popular areas of Zermatt, for skiiers and those just looking for panoramic views!
How to Get to Gornergrat
Gornergrat is reached via the infamous Gornergrat Railway (Gornergrat Bahn) that leaves from the Gornergrat station directly across from Zermatt’s main train station in downtown. Once you reach Gornergat you can access the trails or (piste as it’s referred to in Switzerland) It takes 33 minutes from downtown Zermatt to Gornergrat Station.
Gornergrat Restaurants
- Alphitta
- Restaurant Zum See
- Restaurant Gitz-Gädi
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise/Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn
Arguably the most iconic area of Zermatt is the infamous Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, not only does this area offer some of the best views, it’s the highest cable car station in Europe, where Zermatt offers year round skiing/snowboarding, and where you need to head to cross over into Italy by skiing or by cable car!
The glacier itself is more of an experience, the area is relatively flat, but still worth a visit for the views and insane snow. Schwarzsee offers a variety of runs with extreme descents back towards Zermatt.
How to Get to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
From Zermatt you’ll need to make a few transfers to get all the way up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
- Matterhorn Glaicer Express cable car- Zermatt –> Furi
- Furi –> Shwarzsee cable car
- Shwarzsee –> Furgg cable car
- Furgg –> Torckener Stegg cable car
- Matterhorn Glacier Cabel Car ride
Italy: Breuil-Cervinia
If you purchase an upgraded Zermatt lift ticket you’ll also have access to the Italian side of the mountain. Accessed from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise you can either reach the Breuil-Cervinia side of the mountain via skiing or the newly opened cable car.
I recommend exploring the cute little town of Breuil-Cervinia, maybe grab lunch or a quick drink there, but make sure you time getting back to Zermatt. It will take several lift/cable cars (at least 4) and if you miss the last lifts you’ll have to take a long and SUPER expensive taxi ride back to Zermatt. So i’d recommend heading to Cervinia in the morning, and heading back to Zermatt by early afternoon to be safe.
How to Get to Breuil-Cervinia Italy
From Matterhorn Galcier Paradise grab the new cable car, Matterhorn Glacier Ride II or (my recommendation) ski from Switzerland into Italy. Follow the signs for Testa Grigia.
Best Restaurants
- Ristorante Bar Bricole
- Les skieurs d’Antan
- Nives Restaurant
Zermatt Lift Tickets
Zermatt Lift Tickets prices are actually so reasonably priced compared to any US ski resort. A lift ticket will get you acces to all the trails, lifts, cable cars & funiculars in the Zermatt Ski Resort Area (includes Sunnega, Rothorn, Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise, etc.) this does not include the Italy side, that’s an upgrade option when buying a ticket!
A pass generally costs 99 CHF, the international upgrade is another 17 CHF.
If you have an IKON pass Zermatt is included, but the international side is not and is an upgrade.
Buy your tickets directly through the Zermatt website here.
Zermatt Ski and Snowboard Rentals
There are a bunch of ski and snowboard rental spots right in Zermatt, I recommend shopping around for the best prices! You can search across all the places to rent here.
Best Apres Ski Zermatt
Harry’s Ski Bar
Harry’s is a classic Zermatt après spot. This small patio gets packed as the lift closes. The vibe is lively, and the party carries on into the night. If you’ve never been to Zermatt you have to swing by Harry’s at least once during your trip!
Papperla Pub
If your’e looking for more lively/rowdy and a less casual vibe, head to Papperla Pub. This dive bar gets packed for apres, and the party carries on late into the night They have a mix of live bands and DJs throughout the night.
I loved Zermatt and all the apres options, I wrote a whole blog post on the best apres in Zermatt here!
Cervo Mountain Resort – Après Ski
The absolute cutest après ski spot in Zermatt is the terrace at Cervo Mountain Resort. They have ureal views, DJs as the slopes close, and the cutest decor. This spot is right at the bottom of the slopes before you head back into Zermatt town, so it’s a great place to end your day. Also, unreal sunset views!
Hennu Stall
Hennu Stall is another Zermatt classic. It’s located on the bottom half of the Furi-Zermatt slope, so you can ski there. It’s also a 30 minute walk from downtown Zermatt if you’re on foot. This place gets busy and rowdy as the slopes close. They have a live band and a DJ usually. They open at 2PM and close on the earlier side around 8:30.
Champagne Bar
This cozy spot has the absolute best views of Zermatt. It’s small, but gets super lively. If you can grab a seat facing the mountain it’s an unreal spot to see the sunset (very similar view to the infamous Zermatt viewpoint)
When to Visit Zermatt to Ski
Technically you can ski year round in Zermatt! Zermatt’s infamous Glacier Paradise is open year round, but for the best skiing you’ll want to visit in the winter. Glacier Paradise is a relatively flat area, and while it’s a unique experience it’s not exactly adrenaline pumping.
Usually Zermatt Resort officially opens the last weekend of November (after Thanksgiving) but you’ll need to check each year as it’s based on the weather. Spring skiing goes genrally through mid to late April. The official close date varies year to year!
Where to Stay in Zermatt
BEAUSiTE Hotel
I LOVED this hotel on my last trip to Zermatt. It was so cozy, in the best location, had an unreal infinity pool heated year round with epic Matterhorn views & so much more. I would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Cervo Mountain Resort
For an upscale option with endless views and a super convenient location to the slopes. Cervo is your spot. This place was stunning, is literally at the end of a trail, has some of the best après options in Zermatt, and some unreal restaurants. The only drawback is it’s a bit of an uphill walk from the main downtown area!
Hotel Bristol
For a cheaper, but still great option in Zermatt, try Hotel Bristol.My faovrite part of this hotel was the stunning terrace!
How Many Days to Ski Zermatt
1-4 Days
This is totally up to you. Zermatt is massive! So while you can easily spend just 1 day skiing if you’re short on time, not an avid skiier, or don’t want to spend too much money, you could also spend several days.
To properly explore each area of the mountian you’d likely want 4 days
- 1 Day – Sunnnega/Rothorn
- 1 Day – Gornergrat
- 1 Day – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise/Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn
- 1 Day – Italy Breuil-Cervinia
If you don’t want to do 4 whole days you could combine Sunnega/Rothorn/Gorgergrat and Matterhorn Glacier/Italy Breuil-Cervinia into one day, but you won’t have too much time to explore each area!
How to Get to Zermatt
Zermatt is nestled deep in the Alps, so it takes a bit of time to get there from the major cities in Switzerland, but i’ts so woth the trip.
The best way to get there is by train. You’ll want to get a train to Visp. From Visp, take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt. The train is a bit slow moving, but scenic. It takes about an hour from Visp.
You can get to Visp by train from all other major cities in Switzerland.
Another fun train option is the scenic Glacier Express. This popular route goes from St. Moritz Switzerland ro Zermatt, and is know as one of the most scenic train routes in the world!
Zermatt is car-free, so you can’t drive there. If you are driving you’ll need to park you car in Täsch and take a cab or the shuttle to Zermatt.
Looking for More Ski Travel Inspo?
I love a good ski/snowboard trip & mountain towns are my absolute favorite. Here are some of my other favorite ski towns
