A wintry Alpine village with snow-capped views of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a glamorous winter destination high in the Swiss Alps, perfect for a ski trip or a mountain getaway.
We spent five days in Zermatt skiing and taking in all of the sights, and it completely won us over. The scenery, the food, the cozy mountain vibe – it’s a great all-around winter destination.
Even if you’re not a winter sports fan, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Ride the Matterhorn Glacier Express to the highest station in Europe, wander around the cute village, or spend the day relaxing at a spa.
From ski to après-ski, here’s your complete guide to planning a winter trip to Zermatt, Switzerland.
Best Things to do in Zermatt
Ski Zermatt Resort
Zermatt is a large ski mountain and can be a bit tricky to navigate your first time, so I’ve included some details about how to get around and what to expect.
Ski Runs
Here, there are two types of skiing: piste and off-piste. Piste refers to groomed, designated ski runs, while off-piste describes natural, ungroomed terrain outside of marked trails. If you’re looking to explore off-piste terrain, be sure to consult a professional guide. In most cases, guides are required and must be booked in advance.
When looking at the ski map, pay close attention to the color of the runs—this indicates the level of difficulty.
- Blue – Easy Difficulty
- Red – Medium Difficulty
- Black – Hard Difficulty
- Yellow – Off-Piste
Access Points
If you’re staying in the village, there are three main access points to different parts of the mountain:
- The Sunnegga – A funicular railway that takes you up to the Sunnegga–Rothorn area of the mountain. This is where we spent most of our time. There are plenty of red and blue runs, along with some off-piste options. It’s a great part of the mountain for beginner to intermediate skiers. You can also reach the central area of the mountain by skiing the Fluhalp run to Hohtälli, which connects you to the top of Gornergrat.
- The Gornergrat Railway – Included in the Zermatt ski pass, this scenic railway takes you up to the top of Gornergrat. This area is mostly made up of blue and red runs, with some off-piste options—a great spot for beginner to intermediate skiers.
- The Matterhorn Express – A cable car system that gives you access to both Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
To reach Gornergrat by cable car, take the Matterhorn Express from Zermatt to Furi, then transfer to another cable car from Furi to Riffelberg. From there, you’ll find plenty of red runs to ski down or you can hop on the Gornergrat Railway to reach the top.
To reach Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, take the Matterhorn Express from Zermatt to Furi, then continue on a second cable car from Furi to Trockener Steg. From here, you can ski down a few red runs or connect to the Matterhorn Glacier Ride to reach the summit.
Cervinia
One of the most remarkable things about skiing in Zermatt is that it connects to the Italian ski resort of Cervinia. This area can be included in a day ski pass and is easily accessible from the top of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
The Italian side of the mountain is quite large and will definitely take a full day to explore. You’ll find mostly red runs, some blues, and a few blacks. It’s an excellent option for intermediate to advanced skiers, and for those of us who want to eat a homemade plate of spaghetti for lunch.
Ticket prices to the resort can be found here.
Ride the Gornergrat Train
The Gornergrat train is a great activity whether you ski or not. Easily accessible from the village center, this scenic ride takes about 33 minutes to reach the top. Climbing a vertical distance of 1,469 meters, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of Zermatt on the ride.
You can catch the train at the Zermatt Gornergrat station in the center of town.
If you purchase a ski pass, the Gornergrat train is included. Otherwise, you can buy a separate train ticket here.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a cable car that takes you to the highest mountain station and viewpoint in Europe. Reaching an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, the views from the top are unbeatable on a clear day.
We went up on a foggy, windy day and could only stay outside at the viewpoint for a few minutes – it was freezing! Sadly, we didn’t get the panoramic views, but honestly, the ride alone was worth it, even though I couldn’t think too much about how high up we were.
Originally, we had planned to do the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, which takes you over to the Italian side of the resort via the Glacier Express cable car. Unfortunately, the cable car into Italy was closed due to weather conditions. But if you’re looking to combine the viewing platform with a cross-border adventure, it’s a great option on a clear day.
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is included in the ski pass. If you don’t have a pass, you can purchase tickets separately here.
Hike up to Matterhorn Viewpoint
Not far from the village center and an easy hike up, this beautiful viewpoint is the perfect spot to take in and admire the magnificent Matterhorn!
Find the viewpoint here on Google Maps.
Walk Around Zermatt Village
Zermatt is small enough to explore on foot and charming enough to make you want to wander every corner. It doesn’t take long to see the whole village, and it’s definitely worth exploring on a day off from the mountains.
Here are a few places to take note of:
- Bahnhofstrasse – Starting the moment you step off the train and stretching all the way to the Parish Church of St. Mauritius, Bahnhofstrasse is considered Zermatt’s main street. You’ll find a mix of designer stores, local artisan goods, and plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bakeries. It can get a bit crowded with tourists, but it’s well worth a stroll.
- Hinterdorfstrasse – This is the old part of the village and, for many, the heart of Zermatt. Ancient barns, homes, and shops line the narrow streets, some dating back to the 16th and 18th centuries.
- Parish Church of St. Mauritius – Dating back to 1285, this church is a central part of the local community. Inside, you’ll find a beautiful mural of Noah’s Ark painted along the ceiling, as well as notable altars and a historic baptismal font.
Go Ice Skating
Located right in the village center, Ice Rink Zermatt is an outdoor rink that’s free to the public from November through mid-March.
While skate rentals aren’t available directly at the rink, there are plenty of rental shops nearby. You can find more information about rentals here.
Enjoy a Spa Day
Spend a relaxed day at one of the spas in Zermatt, here are a few options:
Ātman Mountain Spa – Inspired by the wisdom of different cultures, this spa takes a holistic approach to wellness, with steam baths, Bhutanese herbal baths, Japanese-inspired onsens, and Mongolian yurts.
SCHLOSS Zermatt – Centered around the benefits of CBD and adaptogens, this spa offers a range of saunas, baths, relaxation areas, and treatment rooms focused on vital recovery and rejuvenation.
Hotel Alpenhof Zermatt – Featuring multiple saunas, baths, and a variety of treatments, this cozy mountain spa is ideal for unwinding after a full day on the slopes.
Hang Out at an Après-Ski Bar
Wind down with a drink in hand at one of Zermatt’s best aprés-ski bars.
- Harry’s Bar: This always-buzzing outdoor bar is an aprés-ski favorite. Come here for the low-key vibes, good music, and tavern-style drinks.
- Adler Hitta: A sun-filled outdoor terrace, live music, cocktails crafted to perfection, and a backdrop of picturesque mountain vistas. What more could you ask for?
Where to Stay in Zermatt
- Schweizerhof Zermatt – A modern, luxury hotel with a full spa and great dining, priced around $$$–$$$$.
- Monte Rosa Boutique Hotel – Zermatt’s original lodge, typically $$–$$$.
- Grand Hotel Zermatterhof – A classic 5-star hotel with old-world charm, fine dining, and a full-service spa; expect $$$$.
- Cervo Mountain Resort – A sleek, design-forward boutique resort with standout views and a cool alpine aesthetic, around $$$–$$$$.
- Alpen Resort & Spa – A relaxed mid-range hotel with solid amenities, a wellness area, and family-friendly options, usually $$–$$$.
- Hotel Tannenhof – A centrally located mid-range hotel with clean, simple rooms and good service, typically $$.
- Antares Hotel – A comfortable 4-star stay close to the lifts with a wellness area and great value, around $$.
- Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt – A traditionally styled 3-star hotel in the village center with good service and reliable quality, priced around $$.
Where to Eat in Zermatt
For our complete list of favorite spots to eat in town, be sure to check out our Zermatt Restaurant Guide.
Restaurants
- Wallisterstube: The best fondue we had in Zermatt. You can order a variety of side dishes to accompany like cured meats, pickled vegetables, and potatoes. Their menu is varied, so you can also get dishes like cordon blue and pasta.
- Whymper Stube: A warm, wood-paneled restaurant filled with old antiques and red checkered tablecloths. Come here for the Swiss classics. We ordered the fondue, raclette, and schnitzel – and everything was delicious! They are known for their fondue, so make sure to order it here.
Ski-In Dining
- Chez Vrony: One of the best restaurants in Zermatt and our most memorable meal. If you want a table, be sure to book well in advance – we reserved about a month ahead. The setting is unbeatable, with stunning, unobstructed views of the Matterhorn, and the interiors feel like a refined mountain villa.
- Bergrestaurant Blatten: What used to be a teahouse in 1850 is now a traditional mountain restaurant that has been family-run for over 40 years. With exceptional service and attention-to-detail, this is a great place to enjoy a late lunch on the mountain!
Bakeries & Cafés
- Backzeit Bakery: A small organic bakery and café serving fresh cinnamon and cardamom buns. This quickly became our go-to stop for morning coffee and pastries, and we loved everything we tried.
- Petit Royal Café: A charming café in the heart of Zermatt, with amazing pastries and hot drinks. We got the Budapest meringue and hot chocolate – highly recommend both. They also have a full breakfast and lunch menu.
How to Get to Zermatt
Getting to Zermatt can take a bit of time, but with a little planning, it’s a pretty straightforward journey. We took the train from Zurich to Visp, then transferred to a smaller train that winds up the canyon to Zermatt. The whole trip took just over three hours.
Once you arrive, the train drops you off at Zermatt Station, right in the center of town. We walked to our accommodation, but there are plenty of electric taxis available if you’d rather not haul your bags. There are also two free electric bus routes (red and green) that pass through the station. You can check the timetables here.
One thing to note: Zermatt is a pedestrian-only town. Aside from the electric taxis and limited buses, there are no cars. That means the only way to get to Zermatt directly is by train. Luckily, since it’s such a popular destination, finding a train from wherever you’re coming from is usually pretty easy.
Here are some popular train routes:
- Geneva to Zermatt: About 3 hr 53 min
- Zurich to Zermatt: About 3 hr 15 min
- Milan to Zermatt: 4 to 6 hours, depending on the route
- Bern to Zermatt: About 2 hr 10 min
Purchase your tickets ahead of time at SBB, the official Swiss train site.
How to Get Around Zermatt
Zermatt is a pedestrian-only town, aside from the electric taxis, buses, and bikers. It’s incredibly walkable and super easy to get around.
While most of the main sights in the village are best explored on foot, you can also hop in an electric taxi or use the free electric bus to get around. The bus has two routes, red and green, that connect all the main access points to the ski mountain and key spots in the village.
How to get to the three main access points to the ski mountain:
- The Sunnegga – This funicular railway is centrally located. Our accommodation was close enough to walk there every day, but you can also take a taxi or hop on the bus, which stops right in front of the entrance.
- The Gornergrat Railway – Located right in front of the main train station. Depending on where you’re staying, you can walk, take an electric taxi, or use the bus, which will drop you off at the station.
- The Matterhorn Express – This cable car system is located just outside the village center. I’d recommend taking a taxi or the free electric bus. Both the red and green routes will get you to the stop.
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