Zermatt Ski Vacation

Zermatt Skiing at a Glance
Vertical 7,477′
Summit Elevation 12,791′
360 Kilometers of ski trails
Lifts 52
Birth 1899

As the most photographed and revered mountain in the world, not just the Alps, Zermatt’s Matterhorn at 14,692′ should lure you for a luxury ski vacation in Switzerland. Nowhere else on earth will you find such vast alpine terrain, unrivaled scenery, the highest elevation skiing with the longest snow season in the Alps, and an historic alpine village filled with romantic Swiss chalets – reached only by train. Zermatt is a ski fairytale, as you ski 6,000’ vertical descents, stopping at traditional on-mountain chalets for Fondue lunch, perhaps skiing into Cervinia Italy for a cappuccino before skiing back to your five-star ski hotel in Zermatt for a spa or après ski dancing and drinking with the locals in this legendary ski town.

The “Matterhorn Paradise” skiing of Zermatt spans 360 kilometers of marked and groomed pistes (trails) in four ski regions, Sunnegga/Rothorn, Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier –also called the Klein Matterhorn, and Matterhorn Cervinia (Italy) all interconnected with amazing lifts – trains, trams, funiculars, gondolas and chairs. The ski slopes of Zermatt are huge, long, and varied, our average vertical here is 4,000’ per run, and when the sun is out- there are no more spectacular ski slopes than here! The Swiss people don’t like to admit how amazing Zermatt is for skiing, as if its cliche.

Zermatt’s base elevation 5,314′ and ski summit is 12,791′. You can ski for miles, and days on the prepared runs, or hire a guide to venture off-piste for a truly amazing Alps adventure, and to be safe from cliffs and crevasses on the glacier.

On Mountain Dining at Zermatt, ski in ski out:
Chalet Vrony is perched at 2100-meters above sea level right by the ski slope, with an incredible view of the Matterhorn, so not surprisingly tables on the chic terrace are in great demand. The Vrony burger is legendary, so is the people watching. Reserve in advance.

Enzian just down the ski slopes, if Vrony is full, is more casual, less pricey, with a homey feel, great deck with a view of the Matterhorn, and traditional cuisine! Fluhalp is another great chalet Berg restauarnt for lunch with views, après ski too, in the Sunegga-Blauherd-Rothorn ski region.

On the Italian side, Chalet Etoille is delightful historic restaurant situated at the bottom of the Cervino, with amazing Italian cuisine, sit outside on the sun terrasse or in the cozy lodge. Reserve ahead, and enjoy the ski fashion show of Italians.

Love Cervinia, also on the Italian side, has a cozy interior, self-service wood tables or dine on the more romantic table-service side (more sophisticated menu). Or sit outside on the sun terrace. The food is lovely – like the name! This place gets lively around 2-3pm when the DJ bumps music outside and the Prosecco and Aperol start to flow. Dancing in ski boots in the shadows of the Matterhorn, Cervino, is magical! Love Cervinia is so “instagram worthy!”

Après ski in the village of Zermatt, Cervo Puro is right at the base of Sunnega’s slopes for drinks with vibey music. AlpHitta on the red ski slope in Riffelalp with live music by Irish Dave is a hopping place you can reach by skis, the train or cable car. Hennu Stall (hen stall) on Furi slope is classic Swiss apres, with live music and good cheer. In town The Post Hotel has a legendary bar. Strolling the bustling ski town is fun too. Zermatt’s village was once just quaint Swiss chalets, but has grown to a metropolitan mountain town, with every kind of bar, shop, cuisine and language spoken. Zermatt is car free, and you arrive by train, only electric shuttles and buses are allowed on the streets that connect old wood chalets, fancy boutiques, ski shops, restaurants, old and modern hotels.

For luxury ski hotels, Zermatt has over 120 chalets and luxury hotels within walking of the ski lifts and trains, shops, après ski bars and Zermatt’s best restaurants. The Hotel Alex in Zermatt is a four-star ski hotel with ornate Swiss décor, conveniently located a block from the train station and the Gornergrat ski train. Hotel Monte Rosa, Mont Cervin Palace, and the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof are all traditional top Zermatt hotels, while the Suitenhotel Zurbriggen Zermatt is a minimalist style hotel and spa owned by famed Swiss ski racer Pirmin Zurbriggen, and The Cervo is a chic alpine hotel, located at the base of the Sunnegga slopes.

Find the Best Zermatt Hotel for your Ski Vacation

Zermatt Unplugged is a great time to plan your spring ski vacation, early April, every day and evening top musicians perform on and near the ski slopes in a big weeklong Zermatt music festival.

Zermatt has it all for the ultimate luxury ski vacation in the Alps, scenery, serious terrain, on mountain cuisine in traditional chalets, epic après ski, luxury hotels and no cars in this vibrant busy mountain village – reached by modern Swiss trains.