Skiing In Zermatt: Full Guide & My Experience [2025/2026]

Skiing in Zermatt has been one of my best winter travel experiences. It was always my dream to stay there for 4-5 days and ski around all the mountains. And I’m so happy I made it happen.

If you’re a good skier, looking for long slopes and a bit of a challenge, Zermatt is great for you. And even as a beginner, you’ll find perfect easy slopes for you. The 3 ski resorts cater to all skiers, no matter whether you’re a first-timer or an advanced skier.

In this article, I’ll tell you more about my experience skiing in Zermatt and give you all the insider tips you need to have the best time.

Zermatt Ski Resort: 3 Main Areas

Zermatt offers 360km/223 miles of ski slopes, 54 lifts in between 2 countries (Switzerland & Italy), and it’s the highest ski resort in the Alps.

It has 3 main ski areas:

🏂 GORNERGRAT
🏂 ROTHORN
🏂 MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE

Let me tell you about each of them, where to go as a beginner and an advanced skier, the best spots for food/drinks in each resort, how to get from one to another, and my favorite ski slopes.

NOTE: I’m an advanced skier, so the comments about my favorite ski runs indicate that the runs are quite long, wide, and offer stunning views, usually on the top of the mountains, making them more suitable for intermediate/advanced skiers.

🏂 GORNERGRAT

Gornergrat is a great ski area for beginners, first-timers, and those who want to enjoy more relaxing skiing. This area stretches between Zermatt, Findelbach, Riffelberg, Rotenboden & Gornergrat.

You can get to all these stations on the Gornergrat train that runs between Zermatt and Gornergrat (the top). Then you basically ski alongside the railways, on a few ski slopes. All the slopes are moderately easy. You can take the train only to Riffelberg and then ski down to Zermatt, or take the train only to Riffelalp and then ski up to any other station.

I recommend getting to Gornergrat, and skiing all the way down to Zermatt with some food/drink stops. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the Matterhorn from this area.

From Riffelberg station, you can get to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area by taking the Riffelberg Express to Furi, and then change to the Matterhorn Express cable car to Schwarzesee & Trockener Steg.

You can also get to the Rothorn area from here – take the ski slopes to Gant and a cable car up to Blauherd, and you’re there.

❄ My favorite ski run is from the top of Gornergrat to Riffelberg.

🍕 BEST SPOTS FOR FOOD/DRINKS: Riffelberg – has 2 restaurants and an outdoor bar. Or check out the Iglu Dorf (igloo village) between Rotenboden and Riffelberg and stop to enjoy a Swiss Fondue.

🏂 ROTHORN

Rothorn is a hidden gem in Zermatt; it’s not so crowded as the other areas, and I found it to be the best mixture for groups that have both beginner and advanced skiers.

You’ll have to take the funicular train from Zermatt to Sunnegga, then change to a cable car to Blauherd, and then to the last cable car all the way up to Rothorn. Each of these stations offer different ski slopes.

Sunnegga is the base station, very popular for families with kids (there is also a playground). You can ski to Findeln or Patrularve, which have easy runs.

Blauherd is moderate, great for beginners and intermediate skiers. The slope between Blauherd and Sunnegga is perfect for those who want to get from beginner level to more intermediate.

Rothorn is the top mountain and station in this area. The ski slope from Rothorn to Blauherd is one of my absolute favorites in Zermatt. It’s a long run with fewer people, and the views of the Matterhorn are so beautiful. The views from the top of Rothorn are stunning. So, definitely don’t miss this mountain.

From Rothorn, you can get to the Gornergrat ski area if you take the ski slope down to Gant and a cable car up to Hohtälli.

❄ My favorite ski run is from the top of Rothorn to Blauherd or Gant.

🍕 BEST SPOTS FOR FOOD/DRINKS: Rothorn Restaurant (great views and vibe, fewer crowds). Or Findeln – multiple restaurants like Chez Vrony (reservation required).

🏂 MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE – CERVINIA

And here we go – fasten your seatbelt, cause I’ve saved the best for last – the ski area Matterhorn Glacier Paradise… where do I even start? It took my breath away. I’m crying out of happiness as I’m writing this, lol.

This is the biggest ski area in Zermatt. While every skier can find its slopes, it’s more for intermediate/advanced skiers. It’s the place where you can cross from Switzerland to Italy within a day – insane. Just be careful to make it back to Switzerland on time (I’ve heard stories where people got stuck on the Italian side, not so much fun having to take an overpriced taxi back to Zermatt).

SWISS SIDE MAIN STATIONS: Furi – Schwarzsee – Trockener Steg. From Trockener Steg, you can get to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise or Furggsattel and ski back to Trockener Steg.

ITALIAN SIDE MAIN STATIONS: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Testa Grigia – Plan Mason – Cervinia (the first Italian town where the ski area ends).

You can easily ski from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Cervinia and then back to Zermatt within one day without rushing. But watch your time – you’ll have to take the cable cars from Plan Mason/Testa Grigia no later than 3:00 PM.

If you’re a beginner skier, I recommend you stay skiing on the Swiss side between Furi – Schwarzsee and Trockener Steg. Try the ski slope between Furggsattel and Trockener Steg – it’s for intermediate skiers, very wide, and so amazing.

If you’re at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can enjoy the cinema and the viewing platform there – don’t miss the views, they’re breathtaking.

👉 FUN FACT: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cable car station in Europe (3883m/12740ft.), located on the top of the mountain called ‘Klein Matterhorn’.

❄ My favorite ski run is from the top of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise via Trockener Steg to Furgg.

🍕 BEST SPOTS FOR FOOD/DRINKS: Schwarzsee Restaurant, Trockener Steg Ice Bar (great for drinks outside of the station). Rifugio Guide del Cervino (unique location mountain hut with some Italian food – my favorite place), or Plan Mason on the Italian side (for quick snacks/sandwiches or lunch).

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Zermatt Ski Map

Here is the entire ski map covering all 3 areas for you to visualize better what I am describing:

Zermatt Ski Pass, Pricing & Discounts

Zermatt has 3 types of ski passes:

👉 Zermatt Ski Pass
👉 International Ski Pass
👉 Flex Ski Pass

The difference between the Zermatt Ski Pass and the international one is that you can use the former for all the ski areas (Rothorn, Gornergrat & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on the Swiss side), and the international one is also for if you want to cross to Italy (Testa Grigia, Plan Mason & Cervinia).

A Zermatt Ski Pass per day costs 88 CHF, and the international one is 103 CHF per day.
You can also get a half-day ski pass (starting from 12:15 PM) for 68 CHF. With this one, you can’t get to Italy-Cervinia. The more days you choose the cheaper it gets per day.

Flex Ski Pass is the one you don’t have to use on consecutive days. You can purchase it for the number of days you’ll be in Zermatt and choose on which days you’ll be skiing. It can be 2 out of 4 days, 3 out of 5 days, 4 out of 6 days, 5 out of 8 days, or 6 out of 8 days.

It’s slightly cheaper than the regular ski pass, but not much of a discount. Yes, if you see the weather won’t be as nice on some days, it might be a great option to save and not waste your ski pass if you don’t plan to go skiing on a day or two.

➡ Check out the ski pass prices and get a ski pass here (or on the spot in any cable car station in Zermatt).

Ski Rentals & Lessons

If you don’t have your own ski equipment, there are many rental shops in Zermatt where you can rent everything. So if you’re flying from the USA or Canada, it’s probably easier and better to rent it all in Zermatt.

I recommend the following ski rentals:

📍 Mountain Shop Zermatt
📍 Genossenschaft Skischule Matterhorn Zermatt
📍 Intersport Glacier Sport ski & hike

There is also Decathlon store or OCHSNER SPORT if you want to buy something.

If you’re looking for a ski school in Zermatt, these are my favorites:

📍 ZERMATTERS
📍 Prato Borni
📍 My Ski School

You can just go to their office in Zermatt and book a ski lesson, or request one online in advance (better during busy months like late December or February).

Après-Ski In Zermatt

Zermatt has some of the best après-ski experiences in Switzerland. Here are some of my favorite après-ski spots for you:

📍 Hennu Stall Après‑Ski Bar – a perfect bar to stop at as you’re skiing from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area down to Zermatt. After you pass the Furi cable car station, before you reach Zermatt, stop at this après-ski on the slopes for some drinks and fun.

📍 Cervo Mountain Resort – If you’re heading back to Zermatt from Sunnegga, this might be a great après-ski stop for you. It’s already in Zermatt but slightly on the hill, and offers a great experience.

📍 Harry’s Ski Bar – if you are not on the slopes anymore, head to this ski bar in the middle of Zermatt. Whenever I passed by it, the atmosphere was always lively, music running loud, and people having fun all day long.

👉 READ ALSO: Skiing In Switzerland: Full Guide With Top Resorts & My Experience

Weather In Zermatt In Winter

The weather can be quite unpredictable, with some snowy days. While you can’t avoid bad weather (I hope you’ll have wonderful sunny days), I was half lucky with the weather.

But even though the forecast said it was going to be snowing without visibility, it cleared out in the afternoon, and I enjoyed the stunning inversion from Rothorn overlooking the Matterhorn.

So, if you arrive and the weather forecast isn’t that good, don’t panic – it can change at any time.

Sometimes, the 3S cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Cable car can be closed due to heavy snow conditions or wind. But if this area is closed, Gornergrat is always open, together with Sunnegga and Blauherd, so you still have many options for skiing.

Temperatures range between 0°C/32°F and -10°C/14°F, it can get down to -15°C/5°F around Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Best Month To Ski In Zermatt

January is the best month to ski in Zermatt. It’s not as busy as the other months, and you have the highest chances for fresh snow (and a lot of snow). You’ll be in the middle of the winter wonderland there.

Late December is a very charming time, busy and Christmasy, but it can get quite packed.

February is the busiest month due to school holidays, but if you come early in February, you’ll still avoid the crowds.

Activities For Non-Skiers In Zermatt

Are you a non-skier wondering whether it’s worth visiting Zermatt? I have your back, too.

Zermatt offers so many activities, even if you don’t want to go skiing, so you won’t be bored for a second. It’s a perfect destination for groups where some people want to go skiing and some do not.

I’ve written an entire article about Zermatt in winter, so you can check it out for full information. But as a summary, here are the top 16 things you can do as a non-skier in Zermatt in winter:

Check out my full article about Zermatt in winter with detailed explanations about each activity by clicking on the image below:

Practical Tips For Your Skiing Trip In Zermatt

I also have some practical tips for your visit to Zermatt – learn more about getting there, getting around, my favorite hotels, and restaurants to eat at:

Getting To Zermatt

Reaching Zermatt is pretty straightforward. You can catch trains from Zurich, Geneva, or even Milan – all of which have major international airports.

No matter where you’re coming from, you’ll need to change trains at Visp, a town near Zermatt. From there, a direct train to Zermatt runs every 30 minutes.

➡ FROM ZURICH:
Hop on the IC 8 train, which runs directly from Zurich Airport (via Zurich HB – the main station) to Visp. You can take other connections too, but most involve at least one transfer before you reach Visp. From there, switch to the regional train that takes you straight to Zermatt.

➡ FROM GENEVA:
Trains IR90 or IR95 run directly from Geneva Airport (with a stop at Geneva’s main station) to Visp – super convenient.

➡ FROM MILAN:
Your best bet is the EC train from Milano Centrale (direction Basel SBB). Get off in Visp, then take the local train up to Zermatt.

For train schedules and tickets, the SBB website is the go-to. It covers all Swiss rail routes and even some international options.

🚗 DRIVING?
Zermatt is a car-free village, so you’ll need to park in Täsch, a small town nearby. There’s a large parking garage there. From Täsch, hop on the shuttle train – it’s a short 10-minute ride to Zermatt.

Travel Passes For Getting To Zermatt

Buying a one-way train ticket in Switzerland – especially to Zermatt – can get pretty pricey. To avoid paying more than you need to, I’d definitely suggest looking into one of these travel passes or discount cards:

👉 SWISS TRAVEL PASS: Better if you’re traveling to more places within Switzerland. The more days you travel, the better the value.

👉 SAVER DAY PASS: Costs 52 CHF per day, and you can travel on all trains and buses within Switzerland – you need to buy it at least a month in advance (otherwise the price increases). This would be my go-to option if you’re only visiting Zermatt and need to just get there from any airport in Switzerland.

👉 SWISS HALF-FARE CARD: This card costs 120 CHF for a month and will give you 50% off for any transportation you’ll take during your trip (trains, buses, cable cars). So it might be great for you if you want to experience some mountain excursions in Zermatt as a non-skier.

Getting Around Zermatt

Zermatt is a small, car-free village, so the only ways to get around are either on foot or by using small electric shuttles (like hotel transfers or local taxis). When you arrive at the train station, the easiest way to reach your hotel is by catching a hotel shuttle or one of the local taxi shuttles.

The town itself is best explored on foot – it’s compact enough that you can walk from one end to the other in about 30 minutes.

Where To Stay In Zermatt: Best Hotels & Resorts

Zermatt boasts some of the most charming hotels and traditional alpine chalets in all of Switzerland. It’s an ideal spot to unwind after skiing, enjoy a relaxing spa getaway, and soak up the magic of this winter wonderland.

Below are a few of my favorite hotels to stay in Zermatt – from budget-friendly picks to cozy mid-range hotels and luxurious mountain retreats:

🏠 Bolero Apartments – budget-friendly apartments – book here
🏠 Alpine Hotel Perren – budget-friendly hotel – book here
🏠 Hotel Holiday – budget-friendly hotel – book here
🏠 Hotel Cheminee – budget-friendly hotel – book here

🏠 Hotel ZERMAMA – mid-range hotel – book here
🏠 22 Summits Boutique Hotel – mid-range hotel – book here
🏠 Matterhorn Lodge Boutique Hotel – mid-range hotel – book here
🏠 La couronne Hotel & Spa – mid-range hotel – book here

🏠 Matthiol Boutique Hotel – luxury resort – book here
🏠 Nomad by CERVO Mountain Resort – luxury resort – book here
🏠 Relais & Chateaux Schönegg – luxury hotel – book here
🏠 La Vue Luxury Living Apartments – luxury apartments – book here

Best Places To Eat In Zermatt

Zermatt provides one of the best culinary experiences in Switzerland, so prepare your stomach and check out at least a few of these spots. Here are my favorite restaurants and places to eat in the town.

Don’t miss out on my favorite bakery and its delicious fresh sourdough bread:

🍕 Whymper Stube – great for Swiss dishes
🍕 Restaurant Schäferstube – great for Raclette
🍕 Du Pont – great for Fondue
🍕 Grampi’s Bar & Restaurant
🍕 Swiss Chalet
🍕 Potato Fine Food Restaurant – fine-dining restaurant
🍕 Chez Heini
🍕 Chez Vroni – attention, this one is in Findeln (not in Zermatt)
🍕 Golden India Zermatt
🍕 Backzeit bakery & café Zermatt – my favorite bakery & coffee shop
🍕 Zermama Bistro – great snacks and meals

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions about Zermatt and its ski season, so check them out below:

Is Zermatt Good For Skiing?

Yes, Zermatt is one of the best ski areas in Europe. It has a wide range of ski slopes for beginners up to advanced skiers. You need at least 3 full days to enjoy all 3 main ski areas. It’s truly one of my favorite ski resorts in Europe, and I had a great time skiing in Zermatt.

How Difficult Is Skiing In Zermatt?

It depends on where in Zermatt you ski – it has 3 main ski areas and there are easy to advanced ski slopes. So it depends on which area you ski in. If you’re a beginner skier, you can choose skiing around Gornergrat and Sunnega, and it will be easy for you. If you’re looking for a challenge and want more difficult slopes, choose Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Can You Ski In Zermatt As A Beginner?

Yes, absolutely. You can have fun skiing as a beginner. Go to Sunnegga and Gornergrat ski areas, which have easy to intermediate slopes.

How Much Does It Cost To Ski In Zermatt?

A ski pass per day in Zermatt costs 88 CHF per day. If you want the international ski pass (with which you can cross to Italy in a day), it costs 103 CHF per day.

A half-day ski pass (from 12:15 PM) costs 68 CHF per person.

The more days you pick, the cheaper it gets per day.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Ski In Zermatt?

Flex Ski Pass is the cheapest way to ski in Zermatt. You can choose a number of days when you’re in Zermatt, but let’s say on some days you don’t want to go skiing. So instead of having a regular ski pass to use on consecutive days, you can pick 4 days of skiing within the 6 days when you’re in Zermatt.

How Is Skiing In Zermatt In April?

In April, skiing in Zermatt is still pretty great. While the snow melts in other areas of Switzerland, the Alps in April, Zermatt maintains a lot of snow thanks to the surrounding glaciers – it’s colder longer. So if you want to go skiing in April, but some slopes might already be closed, check the conditions before.

Where Do You Fly To Ski In Zermatt?

Closest airports to Zermatt are Milan, Zurich, or Geneva, with Geneva being the closest. From each of these airports (except Milan), there is a direct train to Visp, where you’ll change trains and take the second direct train to Zermatt.

WRAP-UP: Skiing In Zermatt & My Experience

So, here you have it – my ultimate ski experience in Zermatt – my heart is rising every time I think about this ski holiday, and I’m definitely coming back to Zermatt for skiing one day. That’s how awesome it was.

I hope this article gave you many insights into how it is and helped you decide whether Zermatt is a good ski destination for you. Check out my other skiing articles about the Dolomites or other Swiss ski resorts to decide where to go.

If you have any questions or need help planning your time in Zermatt, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I also create customized travel itineraries, so if you want me to plan your journey within Switzerland, let me know.

Happy Skiing!