Zermatt
The Matterhorn is right there. Like, RIGHT there. You can't stop staring.
3D Terrain
Download 3D Print Kit (.ZIP)Our Take
Everything about Zermatt orbits the Matterhorn. That 4,478-meter pyramid is on every chocolate bar and postcard for a reason -- it's genuinely one of the most dramatic mountains on earth and it just sits there, looming over every run. But Zermatt isn't just a pretty face. The ski area tops out at 3,899 meters on the Klein Matterhorn glacier, making it the highest ski area in the Alps. You can ski here year-round. Year. Round. The vertical drop is 2,279 meters -- that's 7,477 feet, which is more than any resort in North America by a comfortable margin. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area connects to Cervinia on the Italian side, so you literally ski from Switzerland to Italy for lunch and back. The village is car-free -- only electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages. It sounds quaint because it is quaint. It's also extremely Swiss, which means everything works perfectly and costs a fortune.
Nerd Stats
Vertical Drop
7,477'
Summit Elevation
12,792'
Lifts
54
Runs
147
Fun Facts
- 3,899-meter summit. Highest ski area in the Alps. Glacier skiing means it literally never closes.
- Car-free village since forever. You take a train to get there. It's the whole aesthetic.
- Ski to Italy for lunch at Cervinia and ski back. International border crossing on skis. Normal Tuesday.
- 7,477 feet of vertical drop. That's nearly 50% more than Jackson Hole. Let that sink in.
Why Zermatt?
You ski with the Matterhorn watching over every run. That's really all you need to know. But Zermatt also has the highest lift-served skiing in Europe, a car-free village that's genuinely magical, and glacier skiing that extends the season into summer. It's the complete package.
The Lowdown
Local's Tips
- 1.The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883m is cold. Seriously cold. Layer up even on sunny days.
- 2.Ski to Cervinia in Italy for lunch -- the food is better and cheaper. Cross back in the afternoon.
- 3.The Sunnegga funicular has the least crowds and the best Matterhorn views for photos. Go there first thing.
- 4.Buy your pass online in advance -- it's cheaper than the window price and the lines are shorter with a chip card.
Don't Miss
Lunch in Cervinia, Italy
Ski across the border into Italy, eat a massive plate of pasta for half the Swiss price, then ski back. It's the best lunch deal in European skiing and a genuinely surreal cultural experience.
Gornergrat Railway sunset
The cog railway to Gornergrat (3,089m) delivers panoramic views of 29 peaks over 4,000m including the Matterhorn. Go late afternoon for golden light on the peaks.
Wine at Elsie's Bar
A Zermatt institution since 1961. Tiny, packed, and full of character. Order a glass of Valais wine and soak in the atmosphere. It's the kind of place that makes you want to move here.
Where to Eat
Our picks -- not just the Google results
Chez Vrony
$$$Swiss Mountain
A mountainside restaurant at Findeln with direct Matterhorn views from the terrace. The lamb is raised on the slopes above, the rosti is perfect, and eating here with that view might be peak 'ski lunch' globally.
Ski there via Sunnegga. Book for lunch and request the terrace.
Whymper Stube
$$-$$$Swiss / Fondue
Named after the first person to summit the Matterhorn. The cheese fondue is excellent (as you'd expect), and the raclette is done properly. A classic Zermatt evening.
The truffle fondue is worth the upcharge.
Snowboat by Ivo Adam
$$$$Contemporary Swiss
Swiss celebrity chef Ivo Adam's mountain restaurant at Trockener Steg (nearly 3,000m). Creative alpine cuisine with Matterhorn views. It's fine dining at altitude and the setting is surreal.
Reservations essential. Lunch only -- you need to ski out before lifts close.
The Pipe
$$Burgers / Casual
Not everything has to be fondue. The Pipe does excellent burgers, craft beers, and has a lively apres vibe. Good for when you want something simple and fun.
The house burger with Swiss cheese (naturally) is all you need.
Things You Should Actually Do
Beyond the obvious -- our insider picks
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Sightseeing
The highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883m. There's an ice palace carved into the glacier, a viewing platform, and on clear days you can see Mont Blanc, the Grand Paradiso, and half of Switzerland.
Go early morning for the clearest views. Clouds build by afternoon.
Cross to Cervinia (Italy) on Skis
Epic Day
Ski from Switzerland to Italy for lunch, have pasta and espresso, then ski back. The cross-border ski area is the highest in Europe and the whole day feels like a movie.
Bring your passport. Start early -- you need time for Italian lunch and the return.
Gornergrat Railway
Scenic
A cog railway climbing to 3,089m with panoramic views of 29 peaks above 4,000m, including Monte Rosa. It's been running since 1898 and the views never get old.
Sit on the right side going up for the best Matterhorn views.
Zermatt Village Walk
Culture
No cars, just electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages. The old village center has 16th-century wooden chalets, a fascinating Matterhorn museum, and the quietest streets of any ski town. Walk it at night when the Matterhorn is lit up.
The Matterhorn Museum tells the dramatic story of the first ascent. Genuinely gripping.
The Vibe at Zermatt
Zermatt is the mountain that makes every other mountain feel inadequate. The Matterhorn just sits there, dominating the skyline, making everything look like a postcard. No cars in town (electric taxis only), charming wooden chalets, and skiing that connects all the way to Cervinia in Italy. It's the quintessential Alpine experience.