Zermatt Ski Resort
All you need to know about skiing in Zermatt (season 2025)
Zermatt is one of the most popular ski resorts, not only in Europe, but in the whole world. The entire ski region is surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountains. The air is clean (Zermatt village is car-free), the infrastructure is excellent and luxurious, the pistes are varied, the ski schools are professional, the food in the mountain restaurants is Michelin-star rated, and you can even ski across a glacier: all the way to a connecting ski area in Italy (Breuil Cervinia). Then there is the hospitality of the locals, the breathtaking mountain scenery and of course the view of numerous mountain massifs such as the Matterhorn. Read more about the ski passes and prices in our blog post “Zermatt Ski Pass”.
Here you will find all the information you need about skiing in one of the best European ski resorts. We look forward to welcoming you to the Matterhorn Ski Paradise soon.
What makes the Zermatt ski area unique?
Top snow conditions
Zermatt has the highest ski area in the Alps, with the highest point at 3,899 metres above sea level! This makes it possible to ski 365 days a year, and Zermatt offers perfect snow conditions during winter.
Skiing on a glacier
Because Zermatt is so high up, the rare experience of skiing on a glacier is possible, as parts of the piste are located on it. There is even a glacier palace where you can marvel at impressive sculptures and crevasses 15 metres below the surface of the glacier.
Unrivalled infrastructure
The infrastructure in Zermatt is among the best: Michelin-starred restaurants, heated ski lifts, 360 kilometres of pistes, legendary après-ski bars and leading hotels. It’s not for nothing that skiers from all over the world come to Zermatt and want to enjoy Europe’s highest ski resort.
Skiing all the way to Italy
Another unique feature of Zermatt is that you can ski across the border to Italy on a glacier. The completely additional area of Breuil Cervinia awaits you there: 160 kilometres of ski pistes, sunny weather and Italian restaurants.
Breathtaking panorama
One of the reasons that makes Zermatt special is the breathtaking scenery that you constantly enjoy while skiing, including the iconic Matterhorn. The Zermatt ski area is surrounded by 38 peaks that are 4,000 metres above sea level. Views of the Matterhorn, glaciers and the Italian Alps also await you mixed with fresh snow and many photo opportunities.
Where is what? A guide to the Zermatt ski resort
The Zermatt ski resort has 360 kilometres of pistes spread over three different ski areas. From Zermatt village, you can ascend directly to the individual areas by cable car. It is also possible to directly pass from one area to another. You’ll find a variety of nursery slopes for beginner skiers, ski schools, intermediate slopes and many possiblities for expert skiers to enjoy a new adventure. For skiers with a penchant for adrenalin, there is also cross-country skiing, breathtaking views included.
Here you will find an overview of the open pistes in Zermatt and below a piste map of the ski resort Zermatt.
The Sunnegga area
The Sunnegga is, as the name suggests in the regional german dialect, a sunny corner. Wolli’s park for children and novice skiers is located here. With gentle slopes, less cold (due to the lower altitude) and a good range of mountain restaurants. The Rothorn restaurant serves the best fries in the mountain area. The Blauherd restaurant has delicious coffee, a sunny terrace and good music included, and in the Sunnegga restaurant you can enjoy the view of the iconic Matterhorn during your meal. Everyone has to try the mulled wine at the Adler, and the unforgettable after-party awaits you at the Cervo restaurant on the descent.
From the Sunnegga, you can ski to Gant and from there take the lifts to Hohtälli and then explore the pistes in the Gornergrat area.
The Gornergrat area
The Gornergrat is an experience right from the ascent: one of the highest cogwheel railways in the world, the Gornergratbahn (Gornergrat train), takes you up to the Gornergrat on a 30-minute journey through snow-covered forests and unspoilt nature. Great views of the Swiss Alps and a variety of descents await you at the top. The igloo village is always worth a visit, and the hot chocolate with a view of the Zermatt Matterhorn is a must-try.
From Riffelalp you can ski down to Furi, from where you can take the gondola across the Schwarzsee area. At Furi itself, you will find several restaurant options and the opportunity to ski back to the village.
The Klein Matterhorn area with the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
This Klein Matterhorn area has the highest pistes and can be reached by ski lift from Furi. At the Schwarzsee station there are refreshments, good music and beautiful views. If you take the lift lines further up to Trockener Steg and from there up to 3,880 metres above sea level, you can ski on ancient glaciers and explore the adventure world of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: the highest viewing platform in Europe with a view of 38 four-thousand-metre peaks and 14 glaciers, the Glacier Palace, a cinema lounge and a restaurant with a view. From here it is also possible to cross over to Italy, to the neighbouring Breuil Cervinia area.
Breuil Cervinia and Valtournenche
If you keep left on the descent from the Klein Matterhorn, you will cross the italian border between Italy and Switzerland and end up in the Italian ski resort of Breuil Cervinia. Many locals like to make this trip just for the Italian piste restaurants, which combine first-class cuisine with a great atmosphere and reasonable prices. The Chalet-Etoile and the Love Cervinia are particularly popular (be sure to book a table in advance).
Breuil is the French name of the resort and Cervinia (after Cervino, the Matterhorn) is the Italian name. The rather wide pistes are particularly popular with snowboarders.
Attention! Be aware of when the last lifts return, otherwise you’ll be stuck in Italy until the next day.
Skiing in Zermatt with children
The area above Zermatt is not known as the ‘Matterhorn Ski Paradise’ for nothing. Whether snowboarding, skiing, tobogganing, ski touring or simply enjoying the sun, skiing holidays in the Zermatt Matterhorn region offer a variety of different pistes for our guests.
Families and children in particular also get their money’s worth in Zermatt. The Sunnegga-Rothorn cable car takes you from Zermatt village up to 2,288 metres above sea level to the Wolli adventure and beginners’ park. Here, children of all ages can make their first attempts on skis or snowboard or improve their skills. Wolli, the Zermatt mascot, actively supports those who want to learn.
The special thing about the Wolli adventure and beginners’ park is that skiing and snowboarding is taught playfully. With play equipment and courses at sunny heights, learning is twice as much fun.
Entry is free of charge. So nothing stands in the way of a relaxed day of skiing with the family.
Zermatt Holidays tip: Children up to the age of 8.99 receive the Wolli Card; this entitles them to free use of all mountain railways and ski lifts when accompanied by an adult. You can obtain the Wolli Card when booking through Zermatt Holidays, for example, but also at the mountain stations, hotels, or tourist information centres.
Après-ski in Zermatt
One of the often unmentioned reasons that makes Zermatt worth a visit is its unique party venues. Among the best known are the Cervo, at the end of the valley descent from Sunnegga, and the Hennustahl and Blatten, both accessible from the valley descent from Furi. You can expect music to sing along to, local schnapps, and a great party atmosphere. The Adlerhitta (on the Sunnegga side) is also a particularly popular place, but it closes earlier in the evening as it is still on the ski piste. It’s worth keeping an eye on the social media pages of the venues for the programme, as well-known DJs or other musicians are frequently invited.
Safety on the pistes
In Switzerland, safety is taken seriously. The mantra is ‘gschider uf nummer sicher goh’, which means ‘better safe than sorry’. It’s no different in the Zermatt ski resort: safety staff in orange ski suits patrol the vast terrain above Zermatt, and the regional Air Rescue (Air Zermatt) is renowned worldwide for high-altitude rescue.
Would you still like to play it safe and be optimally prepared for your stay in our beautiful mountain village? Here you will find the most important emergency telephone numbers:
- REGA: Swiss Ambulance Service
Phone: 1414
Helps in the event of accidents in rough, difficult-to-access terrain and avalanche accidents. REGA also has an app that can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple stores. - Police
Phone: 117 - Fire brigade
Phone: 118 - Ambulance
Phone: 144
Local tip: There are signs at the entrance to every mountain railway, cable car and ski lift showing the timetable and the last run of the day (up the mountain and down into the valley). The lifts then stop operating until the next morning. For an unforgettable skiing holiday, please keep the time in mind so that you don’t get a nasty surprise.
Ski rentals
The mountain village of Zermatt offers a wide range of skis, snowboards, and accessories to enjoy the winter pistes to the full. You can book your equipment online and collect it on the booked pick up-day. If you prefer to hire what you need on site (recommended), the expert staff will be happy to advise you. Please note, however, that not all models and sizes may be available, especially during the holiday season, or you may have to wait longer without a reservation.
You will find the Zermatt Glacier Sport rental shop 4 minutes from Zermatt railway station at Bahnhofstrasse 19.
Enjoy Zermatt when you're not skiing?
Skiing is fun, but there are other things you can do in Zermatt if you can’t or don’t want to hit the pistes:
Treat yourself to some time out at the spa
Would you simply like to relax or enjoy a massage?
Many hotels and some private spa and therapy centres offer a range of treatments.
Find out more in our blog post ‘Spa Zermatt’.
Snowtubing
If you like sledging, you might also enjoy snowtubing. You glide down a hill on a large inflatable tyre. Fun for children and adults alike.
Snowshoeing
Even during winter, you can enjoy the many hiking trails in Zermatt, which are specially prepared for guests and lead you through snow-covered forests. Of course, a stopover at a mountain restaurant is a must. And if you’re lucky, you might spot wild animals such as squirrels, deer, or chamois.
Snowshoeing can be strenuous, especially if you are not used to it. Before you set off, make sure you are fit enough to walk in the snow all day.
We have put together a guide for non-skiers in Zermatt. Check out all the awesome things you can do while staying in the most beautiful village of Switzerland.
Travelling to Zermatt Switzerland
The best way to reach Zermatt is by train. Because what makes the village so special and gives it its unique charm are the car-free streets. Only occasionally do you see local cars and taxis driving through the streets. But otherwise, pedestrians have priority. Switzerland has one of the best public transport systems in the world; reliable, clean, fast and punctual. So just take the train when you arrive at one of Switzerland’s airports. If you want to travel by car, you can leave it in a car park in Täsch and then take the 10-minute train ride to Zermatt train station. If you have booked accommodation with Zermatt Holidays, our Zermatt Holidays electric taxi will be waiting for you and your luggage at Zermatt train station. Or you can book a taxi pick-up service in Täsch in advance, for example with Taxi Schaller.
Local tip: Zermatt is car free! You cannot drive your car to Zermatt and leave it outside your accommodation. Passing the village entrance with a car is prohibited by law and will result in a fine. In Zermatt are only electric taxis allowed and horse-drawn carriages. This gives the village a dreamy feel, which is further emphasised by the century old wooden barns in the old town of Zermatt.
Where is the best place to stay in Zermatt?
Choosing the right accommodation can be overwhelming when you visit Zermatt for the first time. Zermatt Holidays offers you a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget, whether it’s a chalet or a holiday flat, we’ll make you feel at home. Check out our Chalets and Apartments in Zermatt.
Conclusion
Zermatt, one of the best ski resorts, is diverse and has something for every taste. Whether you like skiing or not, there is always something fun to do. Even if you take a day off from the piste and simply relax, read a book in your accommodation or gaze at the starry sky by the campfire. The magic of this mountain village and the surrounding Alps can only be understood once you’ve been here. Are you ready for skiing Zermatt?
