Zermatt at a glance
Zermatt is a car-free Swiss village beneath the Matterhorn, with some of the highest, most snow-sure skiing in the Alps and a genuine year-round glacier. Around 360 km of its own pistes link over the border to Cervinia in Italy.
It is a special-occasion resort – big skiing, world-famous mountain restaurants and staggering views – that still looks after beginners, families and non-skiers. This guide covers getting to a car-free resort, the skiing, families, non-skiers, lift passes and the questions guests ask us most.
Getting your bearings: a car-free village and three ski sectors
Zermatt is car-free: you leave the car at Täsch and take the shuttle train the last few minutes into the village, where electric taxis and buses do the rest. The skiing rises from the village in three main sectors that all link together.
- Sunnegga–Rothorn – reached by an underground funicular from the village; sunny, with the gentlest runs and the children's areas.
- Gornergrat – the famous cog railway climbs to 3,089 m for classic Matterhorn views and long cruising runs.
- Matterhorn glacier paradise / Schwarzsee – the highest sector, with year-round glacier skiing and the cable-car crossing to Italy.
- Where to stay – the village is compact; being near the Sunnegga funicular or the Gornergrat railway makes mornings easy, and everywhere is a short e-taxi ride.
The skiing: the Matterhorn and across to Italy
Zermatt offers around 360 km of pistes on its own, and links over the glacier to Cervinia in Italy for an international ski area of well over 300 km more. It is high, snow-sure and home to Europe's highest cable-car station at the Matterhorn glacier paradise (3,883 m), with skiing on the glacier through the summer.
By ability
- Beginners – the Sunnegga sector has the gentlest, sunniest nursery slopes and Wolli's children's area; the mountain is big and high, so beginners are best kept to this sector at first.
- Intermediates – wide, well-groomed cruising off Gornergrat and Schwarzsee, and the long, scenic run over to Cervinia and back.
- Advanced – testing terrain off the Rothorn and Stockhorn, superb off-piste with a guide, and the sheer scale of a top-to-bottom Matterhorn day.
- Snow reliability – among the best anywhere: high altitude, glacier skiing and a genuine year-round season.
Zermatt for families
- Safe by design – a car-free village is reassuring with children; the loudest thing on the street is an electric taxi.
- Ski school – Swiss and English-speaking schools take children from around age four, based mainly at Sunnegga.
- Beginner areas – Wolli's Park and the gentle Sunnegga slopes are sunny and sheltered.
- Off the slopes – the Gornergrat railway for the views, sledging from Rotenboden to Riffelberg, an ice rink, and the glacier palace ice grotto at the top of the mountain.
Zermatt for groups and celebrations
Zermatt is a special-occasion resort. A catered chalet or a suite in one of the grand hotels puts a group at the foot of the most famous mountain in the Alps, with some of the best mountain restaurants anywhere for long lunches. The skiing is big enough to keep strong skiers busy all week, the Gornergrat and glacier excursions bring non-skiers along, and a day skiing over to Italy for lunch is a memorable group outing.
If you don't ski
Zermatt is one of the finest resorts in the Alps for non-skiers. The Gornergrat cog railway climbs to 3,089 m for a face-to-face view of the Matterhorn; the Matterhorn glacier paradise has the highest viewing platform in Europe and a glacier ice palace; there are more than 100 km of prepared winter-walking trails, sledging runs, an ice rink and superb spas. Non-skiers can meet skiers for lunch high on the mountain and ride down by train or cable car.
Eating out and après-ski
Zermatt has some of the most celebrated mountain restaurants in the Alps – Chez Vrony and the Findlerhof at Findeln are institutions for a long, sunny lunch – alongside excellent dining in the village, including a Michelin-starred table or two. Après-ski runs from the slope-side Hennu Stall on the way home to smart hotel bars in the village. Book the famous mountain lunches ahead, especially in peak weeks.
Lift passes, ski school and equipment
- Which pass? A Zermatt pass covers the resort's own 360 km. The International pass adds Cervinia and the runs into Italy – worth it for at least a day if you are a confident intermediate. Passes are priced in Swiss francs and can usually be extended day by day.
- Equipment – rental shops in the village keep skis and boots in heated lockers near the lifts.
- Lessons and guides – Swiss and English-speaking instructors and mountain guides are arranged through your chalet or the ski schools.
- To ski to Italy – carry a passport or national ID card, as you cross an international border.
Getting to Zermatt
- By air and train – fly to Geneva or Zurich (each about 3.5–4 hours away by the excellent Swiss rail network) or Milan (around 3 hours). Take the train to Visp, then the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn up to Zermatt. Travelling by train right to the village is the easiest way to arrive.
- Because Zermatt is car-free – if you drive, you park at Täsch and take the frequent shuttle train (about 12 minutes) into the village. You cannot drive into Zermatt itself.
- In the village – electric taxis and small e-buses cover the short distances; many hotels and chalets send an electric cart for luggage.
Our advice: for Zermatt, the train is genuinely the best option – book seats in advance for peak weeks.
When to go
Zermatt skis from late November to late April on the main mountain, and on the glacier through the summer. Christmas, New Year and February are busiest. January brings cold, reliable snow and clear Matterhorn mornings. March and April give long sunny days and spring skiing with the glacier still open, while the unique summer glacier skiing makes Zermatt a year-round option.
What to pack
- Layers plus a warm jacket – this is high, glacier country and mornings are cold.
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm, sunglasses and goggles for the strong glacier sun.
- Helmets for everyone (rentable), a small backpack, and ski socks above the boot.
- A passport or national ID card if you plan to ski over to Italy.
- Swiss francs (or a card) – Switzerland is not in the euro; swimwear for the spa and something smart for dinner.
A sample week in Zermatt
- Day 1 – arrive by train into the car-free village, ski hire fitted, welcome dinner.
- Day 2 – warm up at Sunnegga; children start ski school. Lunch in the sun.
- Day 3 – the Gornergrat sector for the classic Matterhorn cruising. Early evening in the village.
- Day 4 – spa morning; non-skiers take the Gornergrat railway and the glacier palace.
- Day 5 – the big one: ski over the glacier to Cervinia in Italy for lunch (passport needed) and back.
- Day 6 – lunch at Chez Vrony or the Findlerhof; sledging from Rotenboden for the family.
- Day 7 – a last Matterhorn morning and a farewell dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Zermatt if it is car-free?
Fly to Geneva, Zurich or Milan and take the train, changing at Visp for the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn up to Zermatt – the train runs right into the village. If you drive, you park at Täsch and take the shuttle train (about 12 minutes); cars cannot enter Zermatt itself. In the village, electric taxis and e-buses cover the short distances.
Is Zermatt good for beginners and families?
Yes. The car-free village is safe and calm for children, and the Sunnegga sector has sunny, gentle nursery slopes and Wolli's children's area. Ski schools take children from around age four. It is a big, high mountain, so beginners are best kept to the Sunnegga sector at first.
Can you ski from Zermatt to Italy, and do I need a passport?
Yes. From the top of the mountain you can ski over the glacier to Cervinia and Valtournenche in Italy and back in a day on an International lift pass. Because you cross an international border, carry a passport or national ID card, and keep an eye on the time and weather for the last lift home.
What is there for non-skiers in Zermatt?
A great deal: the Gornergrat cog railway to 3,089 m for Matterhorn views, the Matterhorn glacier paradise with Europe's highest viewing platform and a glacier ice palace, more than 100 km of winter-walking trails, sledging, an ice rink and excellent spas. Non-skiers can join skiers for lunch high on the mountain.
When is the best time to ski Zermatt?
The main mountain skis from late November to late April, and the glacier stays open through the summer. January has cold, reliable snow and clear mornings; March and April bring long sunny days with the glacier still open. Christmas, New Year and February are the busiest weeks.
When should I book a chalet in Zermatt?
For Christmas, New Year and February, the best chalets and hotel suites are taken well ahead – often a year in advance. January and the spring weeks have more availability, with January the quietest and April the sunniest.