Ski holidays in Ski holidays in Zermatt…

Dominated by the mighty Matterhorn, Zermatt offers an extensive and high ski area best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers. The 38 mountain restaurants also make it a paradise for those who like to lunch looking out over some of the most beautiful views in the Alps. The ski area of Zermatt and neighbouring Cervinia offers over 300 kilometres of high north and west facing slopes split over several areas.

The Rothorn sector offers good skiing for all standards and just below it you will find the Sunnegga area where the beginners can find their feet. The 40 minute ride up the Gornergrat railway takes you to 3405m and here there are a variety of standards of piste along with the dedicated sledging run. The Matterhorn sector harbours the glacier and offers lovely reds and blues which are ideal for cruisers. From here you can take the challenge of the non-stop 14km piste all the way back to the village, or you can take the runs over to the Cervinia side of the mountain. Below the glacier is the Trockner Steg area where ski lessons usually take place.

For beginners

Zermatt may not be well-known for being a resort suited for beginners but it has developed a good nursery slope area in recent years in a bid to squash that stigma. The best place to start off for a beginner is probably around the Trockener Steg area of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area. This is where all of the ski school lessons take place and provides nice, wide open pistes. Sunnegga paradise is also good for beginners and offers some blue runs and easier reds.

Snow parks

Situated at the top of the Gandegg lift by the Matterhorn Glacier, you will find Gravity Park. Boasting a half pipe, and various kickers, boxes and rails the park has challenges for ski and snowboarders of all levels. There is also a huge air bag to try out moves in complete safety.

Off Piste

Zermatt is known for its challenging red runs and notoriously difficult black runs but for those wanting to test themselves off piste there is often more powder than the most discerning skier can handle. True off-piste skiing is frowned upon in Switzerland due to the potential negative environmental impact. Instead there are un-groomed 'free ride' areas, usually marked in yellow on the piste map, where there are plenty of opportunities to make fresh tracks and enjoy more challenging conditions. Zermatt also has a long standing reputation for its heli-skiing, something the expert skier should certainly experience when staying in this world class resort. It is imperative that you take all the safety precautions you can, shovels and probes and beepers can be purchased or hired. Speak to lift operators prior to going off piste as they will have a better idea of what is safe and what isn’t. To be extra safe professional guides can be hired who have all the local knowledge to take you to the best spots without sacrificing safety.

Ski & Snowboard hosts

VIP SKI offer a free ski and snowboarding service to help you find your way around the Matterhorn Glacier Paradis area. This service is open to all skiers who feel able to tackle red runs with confidence. The service is available 3 days a week between 9.30am and 4:30pm. The hosts will find you the best snow, the best lunch stop, the best beer and the quickest lifts. The meeting point for the service will be discussed when the hosts visit you in your chalets, if ski hosting is in demand the groups will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that our hosts are not instructors and cannot take beginners, nor will they take you off piste. All children aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult.

Cross Country Skiing

The complete network of cross-country skiing trails in Täsch and Randa, now comprising almost 15 kilometres, offer beginners and experienced cross-country skiers ideal conditions to enjoy their passion, with beautiful landscapes and scenery. The most challenging of which are the trails used for the Junior World Championship in 1989. Cross-country skiing trail passes can be bought from the tourist office in Zermatt, a day ticket is around CHF 5, or a week ticket approx. CHF 30.  You will find ‘walking, Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing maps’ at the Tourist Office, alternatively lessons and guided excursions are available from the various ski schools, ask a member of staff for details.

In Zermatt we provide our ski hire from Glacier Sports and Stoked, depending on which chalet you're staying in. We are confident you’ll get the very best of service from the shops we have selected.

We collect details such as ski ability, height, weight and shoe size beforehand, to ensure the team at hire shop know exactly what you’re looking for and therefore the whole fitting process is as quick and seamless as possible.

Ski rental equipment descriptions and categories vary from resort to resort, and even from shop to shop. To make this easier we describe ski equipment as silver, gold or platinum. We would advise you book the following according to your experience and ski ability;

• Silver – for complete beginners
• Gold – for intermediate level
• Platinum – for advanced/expert level

Possibly one of the most important aspects of a ski holiday, the lift pass is vital unless you plan to walk up the mountain before skiing down!

Pre-book your lift pass directly with us before you travel. Your lift passes will be delivered to your chalet before breakfast on the first morning, in plenty of time for you to make it up the first lift. 

There are several ski school providers in Zermatt, each will offer a variety of tuition options from beginner groups to private lessons and off piste guiding, however, some may specialise in a particular area. We have listed a few of our recommended suppliers below.

Summit +41(0)2 79 67 00 01

Summit have a high proportion of British Instructors and offer a range of lessons for both adults and children from 6 years along with snowboard lessons.

Stoked +41(0)2 79 67 70 20

Quick progress, fun and safety are guaranteed. For Stoked snowboarding and skiing are a way of life. They are passionate and want to make your snowboard or ski holidays incomparable and unforgettable. They provide adult and children’s ski and snowboard lessons for all abilities.

European Snow Sports +41 (0)2 77 71 62 22

European Snowsport understand how valuable your holiday time is. Each instructor is committed to sharing their Their instructors will help you build confidence, understand the resort, guide you to the next level of your skiing and help make your holiday complete. Whether it’s for kids, teens or adults; for beginners, experts, mogul bashers or gentlefolk who learn-&-lunch, they offer the perfect balance of classes and instructors.