Ski Zermatt by Train

360 km of piste between 1620-3899m

There are lots of little things to complain about in Zermatt, and if there weren't, it would be perfect - the car-free village, the fabulous views of the Matterhorn, the extensive slopes that stretch across into Italy, the amazing mountain restaurants and a guarantee that there will always be something skiable, weather permitting, throughout the year. The village is right at the head of a valley, surrounded by the highest peaks in Switzerland, and was a quiet farming community until the onset of Alpinism. Now it is a bustling town and the car-free cachet is somewhat undermined by the electric taxis and buses racing to ferry skiers and snowboarders around the resort and its four pisted areas. The main ski areas are the Rothorn, the Gornergrat and the pistes below the Matterhorn (including Schwarzee) that connect up to Cervinia in Italy. The ski areas are loosely linked together with the Gornergrat accessed by a slow but scenic cog railway adjacent to the main railway station, and the Rothorn and Matterhorn areas by lifts respectively in the extreme North and South of the resort. Although it sounds difficult to get about it is not, those plentiful taxis, frequent buses and the option of Shank's pony make it easier than it might sound. From the centre of town a good way to start the day is to take the Gornergrat railway (which starts very early) and hack across to the Rothorn or Stockhorn areas via Gant, or ski down to Furi to get up the Matterhorn. The downsides to Zermatt? Expensive, not a good resort for beginners, a few flat sections on the Matterhorn side and it can be brutally cold in January and February.

Ski Zermatt by train

Sky and Rail

The nearest airport to Zermatt is Zurich. There is a railway station in the airport. Geneva airport is also convenient, with direct trains to Visp from where you change for the regional train to Zermatt.

Best of the Slopes at Zermatt

Some seriously long runs here, particularly the 17k run off the almost 4000m summit of Klein Matterhorn via Trockener Steg and Furgg back into the village, often open long after most resorts have closed for the season. Also recommended are the Triftji bumps on Stockhorn, although they are often not open until late February. Stockhorn and Rothorn have 10k runs back into Zermatt.

Where to Eat and Party in Zermatt

Zermatt has some of the best mountain restaurants in the world and dozens of excellent places to eat in the village itself and right over the border into Cervinia. The small serving of fish soup in Chalet Etoile (+39 0166 940 220) off Plain Maison in Cervinia is not only an inexpensive and filling repast, it is probably the best fish soup I have experienced anywhere in the world, at least above 2000m. Expensive but justly renowned are Chez Vrony (+41 27 967 25 52) below Sunnegga in Findeln, Zum See (+41 27 967 2045) below Furi (turn left at the signpost on to the path above Blatten), and the Fluhalp (+41 27 967 25 97) on the Rothorn. For après ski, many people congregate at the Hennu Stall below Furi before the schuss into Zermatt, whilst in the town itself a good itinerary for a night out might take you to Papperla, the North Wall Bar and Hotel Poste. For upmarket dining in town the Omnia hotel restaurant (+41 27 966 71 71), After Seven (+41 27 966 69 70) at the Backstage Hotel and pretty much anywhere on Bahnhofstrasse are recommended. At the other end of the scale Sparky's on Schluhmattstrasse is worth a diversion for good value, good quality food and a relaxed atmosphere. Zermatt also has a good range of Asian and fast food joints.

Getting to Zermatt by Train

The best destination to access the downhill slopes by public transport in this ski area is Zermatt. Station adjacent to Gornergrat mountain railway - take courtesy bus or electric taxi, or walk, for other lifts.

Piste Map for Zermatt

Ski and Snowboard using the Zermatt trail map

Larger trail map for Zermatt

Map of Zermatt



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Weather Outlook for Zermatt


View of winter sports resort in Valais


Accommodation for Zermatt and the Surrounding Area

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3D View

3D view of zermatt


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Did you ski Zermatt or snowboard in Zermatt? What did you think? Have you taken the train to Zermatt? Do you have any tips on accommodation in Zermatt or the apres ski? Is there anywhere else you have taken the train to ski? if so, please contact us and share you experiences using the contact link at the foot of the page. For more details on Swiss resorts visit our sister site at Swiss Winter Sports.