Zermatt skiing season. Ski resort zermatt, switzerland

If you are looking for a quality ski resort with developed infrastructure, pay attention to Zermatt, Switzerland. Lovers gather here every year active rest in order to conquer steep mountain slopes, enjoy excellent Swiss cuisine and admire the unique landscapes of the Alps. This is exactly the place where sport and nature merge together, a different dimension, which can only be comprehended by visiting thousands of mountain peaks. Why is Zermatt good and what opportunities does it offer?

General information

Zermatt is a village located in the southern territories of the canton of Valais in Switzerland, located almost on the border with Italy. This is a small community of 242 sq. km with a population of only 5770 people. Surrounded by the Pienine Alps over 4,000 meters high, the village spreads out on the northern slope mountain range Monte Rosa near the famous Matterhorn. It is in the Monte Rosa chain that the highest peak in Switzerland is recorded, called Peak Dufour (4634 meters). There are a total of 38 peaks in the Zermatt area. The village itself is located at an altitude of just over 1600 meters.

Thanks to its unique location, Zermatt has become one of the places where tourists from all over the world come to ski and snowboard. It has been repeatedly recognized as the best ski resort in the world by various rating companies, including the prestigious The Best of the Alps organization. There are a lot of people here not only in the winter, but also in the summer season, when fans of hiking and mountaineering come here.

Zermatt has a highly developed tourist infrastructure, which makes it possible to organize the perfect holiday. The village has a large selection of hotels, apartments, chalets, as well as a rich variety of cafes and restaurants, some of which are among the best in all the Alps. A special atmosphere reigns in the community on Catholic Christmas and New Year when Zermatt transforms into an elegant cozy town.

Interesting fact! Fuel-burning vehicles are prohibited in the village. vehicle, so here you can only find compact electric cars used by locals and taxi drivers. Such measures allow to preserve the ecology of the region and not to violate the purity of the mountain air.

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Technical characteristics of the ski infrastructure

Zermatt as a ski resort in Switzerland has a lot of advantages over other similar sites. It is here that the longest routes with a total length of 310 km are located. The resort is equipped with comfortable ski lifts passing through heights of various sizes (from 1600 to 3800 meters). An important advantage of Zermatt is its year-round access to the ski slopes.

If you are planning to go to this resort in Switzerland, you should take into account that the local mountain slopes are quite high and steep, so to overcome them you will need not so much courage as good physical and technical preparation. Zermatt does not offer trails for beginners, but there are routes of different difficulty levels for those who already have experience in skiing. Among the routes are:

1. Blue trails. Their total number in the resort is 110. The slopes are designed for skiers with little skiing experience.
2. Red trails. Their number is 150. The tracks are designed for more experienced representatives of skiing.
3. Black tracks. There are a total of 50 of them in the resort. These are the longest and steepest slopes designed for professional skiers.

Zermatt piste map. To enlarge the chart, open it in a new window.

There are 35 comfortable lifts of various types in Zermatt:

• rope tows - 17,
• pendulum - 10,
• chairlifts - 4,
• gondola type - 4.

Among them there are many funiculars with closed cabins, so it is very comfortable to move in them even in the cold season.

More detailed information about the slopes, slopes, lifts and ski-pass can be found on the official website of the resort (there is a Russian version) - www.zermatt.ch/ru.

Read about the prices at the resort and how much a holiday in Zermatt will cost in winter.

Attractions

After conquering the tough ski slopes in Zermatt, it's time to study its map and go to get acquainted with the remarkable corners. There are many cultural and natural attractions in the village.

This mountain railway, which appeared at the end of the 19th century, ranks second in altitude among all railways in Switzerland. The final stop of the train, which runs daily through the mountain ranges, is the Gornergrat Plateau, located at an altitude of approximately 3100 meters. Many tourists go to rail travel to contemplate the picturesque landscapes from the carriage window and capture the Swiss winter in Zermatt from a bird's eye view. Following its route, which takes about 40 minutes, the train makes five stops, where, if desired, you can get off and take a short walk, and then continue climbing.

At the end station opens beautiful panorama to the eternal glacier and surroundings that cannot be seen from the village. Some combine the trip to the top with skiing, others use railway as part of a guided tour with unique nature resort. The train tour is best organized on sunny, clear days, otherwise you risk not seeing anything due to high clouds.

The observation deck, located at an altitude of 3883 meters, offers unforgettable views of the Alpine mountains. The ascent here takes place in several stages: your path will begin with a ride on a small funicular, which will quickly take you to the highest mountain lift in Switzerland. Then, slowly, you will climb into the tunnel along the rock and find yourself at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise complex. Here you have the opportunity to visit a small cinema, look into an ice cave, drink coffee in a cozy local cafe and, in fact, climb to the observation deck.

Standard ticket price for ascent and descent is 115 francs per person.

Tourists who have been here are advised to go on this excursion only on sunny days, otherwise you can simply not see anything because of the clouds and fog. Remember that it is always cold at altitude, so be sure to wear warm clothes. Be prepared for the fact that it is difficult to breathe at the top, and you may experience heart palpitations and dizziness, but do not panic: this condition should pass within 10-20 minutes. Keep in mind that in the cafe near the complex, prices are an order of magnitude higher. Take the first flight to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise if possible, as later observation deck a lot of people will gather.

Zermatt owes its popularity, first of all, to its location - it is located in the central part of the Alps, has the longest slopes and a considerable elevation difference: from 1620 to 3820 meters. The main advantage of the resort is that the season is open here. all year round— Zermatt is full of tourists even in summer.

ski resort Zermatt is one of the most prestigious holiday destinations in Switzerland. Its symbol is the Matterhorn peak, whose height is 4478 meters. In total, in the vicinity of the resort there are 38 peaks with heights exceeding 4000 meters.

Taking care of the environment, Zermatt banned the movement of vehicles. But here there is such a modern and enough comfortable view transport as an electric car. In addition, you can move around on horse-drawn sleighs and carriages in the summer.

Basic information about Zermatt

Location

Zermatt is located in the south of Switzerland, in the Welsh Alps - located directly at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain.

How to get to Zermatt

You can get to the resort from the nearest airports in Zurich (240 kilometers) and Geneva (255 kilometers). You can get directly to the resort by train, as cars are not allowed here. If before that you were moving by car, you will have to leave it in the parking lot in Tasha.

weather, season

Due to the meridian location and the protection of the resort from the penetration of winds, there are no problems with snow cover. The weather in Zermatt is quite stable. The season is open all year round.

Trails, slopes, lifts

The resort has 3 ski areas, and they are all interconnected.

• The Rothorn area, located at an altitude of 3103 meters, is suitable for skiers with different levels of experience. If you have just started skiing, then you have the opportunity to visit the park for children and beginners. This is a great school for those who are taking their first steps in skiing.
• The area below Gornergrat is located at an altitude of 3100 meters - this is one of the best areas for those who already know something and are at an average level of preparedness.

These are the most picturesque places in the Zermatt region and offer stunning views of the Matterhorn peak, Horner Glacier and other attractions. There is a map of the ski slopes of Zermatt, with which you can get a better idea of ​​their location.

In total, 310 kilometers of trails are available to tourists. 35 lifts of various types are also installed here.

Ski pass prices (prices in CHF)

Accommodation, other activities, après-ski, attractions

For 130 years there have been two unique hotels in Zermatt, which all this time have been fighting for the right to be the best – “ Grand Hotel Zermatterhof" and "Mont Cervin Palace". If you want to be in silence and retire, then climb to a height of 2222 meters, where the Riffelalp hotel awaits you. Also available at the resort wide selection chalets, hostels. If you're looking for something modern, then The Omnia is a must for you - a hotel built at an altitude of 1649 meters, with views from the rooms that bring guests into a state of unforgettable delight.

The real attraction of Zermatt are the mountain restaurants and huts, where you will be offered a variety of dishes that you have never even heard of. We suggest you visit Findeln, where you will be offered an excellent rosti or Zum See, where you should go to taste tuna carpaccio with lemon juice. nightlife. Popular places include:

• "Le Broken" - disco club;
• "Arvenstube" - a place where real fun reigns;
• Elsie's Bar the best place where you can be offered champagne and oysters, etc.

You can look at the picturesque landscapes with the help of webcams installed in Zermatt.

Advantages and disadvantages

The resort will be appreciated by lovers of Alpine landscapes. Ski lovers will appreciate the well-equipped and maintained slopes of different difficulty levels. The combined network of lifts will allow you to move around all ski areas.

Watch video review:

Zermat has other reviews. Of the relative disadvantages, one can name a ban on the movement of vehicles, the presence of a large number of slopes (off-piste) in the glacier zone.

Even the photos taken in Zermatt are fascinating. What to say about the sensations that visit you when you see all this with your own eyes. It is worth coming here just to look at one of the most beautiful peaks in Europe, the Matterhorn. fairytale nature The Alps are successfully combined with the luxury and sophistication of local hotels and restaurants with a national flavor. Tours in Zermatt are well-deservedly popular all year round.

Fashionable Zermatt, located at the foot of the famous Matterhorn peak (4478 m), is among the top ten Alpine resorts on the quality of trails and snow cover. It is wildly popular, albeit not cheap, and in the high season you can wait half an hour for the lift. it perfect place for advanced skiing, beginner skiers may find it difficult here.

When is the best time to photograph the famous Matterhorn - in winter or summer? Here opinions differ. On the one hand, the air is clearer in winter, and sunny days almost more than in summer. On the other hand, the harsh snow-capped peak against the backdrop of lush greenery and alpine meadow herbs is something special!

Successfully coping all winter with the function of a chic haven for hordes of wealthy skiers, summer Zermatt also cannot complain about desolation - there are enough people. These are fans of hiking along routes with an off-scale level of scenic beauty, more or less professional climbers and just the public who want to get the most out of the local tourism infrastructure at lower summer prices. Let's not forget about lovers of delicious food: local restaurants are considered by knowledgeable people to be among the best in all the Alps.

How to get to Zermatt

Zermatt is located 200-250 km from Zurich and Geneva. Since the commune does not have its own airport, to get here, you will have to use air and land transport.

alternative skiing in Zermatt there are 1.2 km of carving runs, 14.5 km of mogul runs, 10 km of cross-country ski runs at an altitude of 1864 m and 2.5 km of toboggan runs.

Professionals here will be tempted by the difficult virgin slopes that start at the upper stations, and the longest and most difficult black slopes in the Triftja area below the Stockhorn. The Schwarzsee (2583 m) has interesting steep slopes, but they end in a long gentle traverse at Furi.

For more experienced skiers, the slopes on the slopes of Gornergrat and Hohtalli (Hohtalli, 3286 m) are suitable. In Sunnega there is an excellent 5-kilometer descent of Kumme (Kumme), in Klein-Matterhorn - red runs of sufficient difficulty. For less experienced skiers, there are blue runs in Sunegga and Riffelberg, as well as slopes from Klein Matterhorn to Trockener Steg. For those who have just started skiing, it will not be easy in Zermatt: there are no trails for beginners, and the blue ones are very difficult and dangerous.

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Theodule Glacier and Gravity Park

On the Theodul Glacier is Gravity Park - the largest snow park in Europe. You can get there by the Furggsattel cable car, which leads to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Beginners and professionals of snowboarding and freestyle ride all year round and improve their skills, mastering new tricks and figures. In winter, guests can expect a 200-meter superpipe, halfpipe, rails, jumps, boardercross, jib lines and much more. In summer you can ski from 3900 m on the Little Matterhorn to 2900 m at the Trockener Steg. In the warm season, athletes have 15 rails, 7 boxes, 2 small, 5 medium and 3 large jumps, a halfpipe and a few more elements.

The snow park is part of the Zermatt ski area and is included in the shared ski pass. In the spring, from April 18 to May 22, valid special offer. A subscription for 1 day will cost 79 CHF for adults and 67 CHF for youth from 16 to 20 years old, for 6 days - 380 and 323 CHF, respectively. If you buy for a group of 3 people, it will be even cheaper.

Ski pass

There are 4 types of ski passes in Zermatt. The first applies only to the Swiss part of the resort. Subscriptions are valid from 1 (79 CHF) to 8 (477 CHF) days. The second type of cards allows you to ride on the entire territory that unites Swiss Zermatt and Italian Breuil-Cervinia. It will cost about 10 CHF more. The other two - variations of the basic ski passes - include train tickets from Tes or Randa, which add about 10 CHF to the price. All season tickets are sold only from the end of November to the end of April. In the low season, you can only purchase a special peak pass for lovers of hiking and mountain biking - about 40 CHF per day.

Children under 9 years old get a ski pass for free, from 9 to 16 - with a 50% discount, young people from 16 to 20 pay 25% less.

Ski and snowboard equipment rentals are scattered throughout the resort. The consultant will not only demonstrate all available models, but also give practical advice. Often the owners combine rental with the sale of equipment, but even rental here will cost a lot - from 50 CHF per day for not the most expensive skis.

Zermatt Hotels

In terms of the number of accommodation options, Zermatt easily overtakes other rather big cities: here you can stay in any of the 600 hotels, chalets, private houses, apartments or campsites. True, of all this abundance, only a few fall into the category of budget holidays: a couple of hostels and campsites (50-90 CHF for a bed in a dormitory). To good hotels include Allalin, Alpenroyal and Schonegg (150-340 CHF per night in a double room), and to enjoy comfort, you should give preference to Grand Zermatterhof or The Omnia (the most expensive accommodation options are up to 2000 CHF).

What to bring

For a ski resort, shopping here is not bad, but expensive, there are many shops of famous brands. There is also everything that tourists usually bring from Switzerland. From the range of edibles - different varieties of cheese, wines famous for the diversity of the Valais region and chocolate. On the main street - salons of the famous Swiss knives and watches.

For those who want to keep the memory of their vacation in the mountains of Zermatt, souvenirs with the image of the Matterhon peak are perfect - posters, paintings, fridge magnets and other small things. As a gift, children should grab the main symbol of the city - the lamb Valley.

Cafes and restaurants in Zermatt

Those who want to combine an active holiday with a gastronomic tour should definitely make a choice in favor of Zermatt. The small resort town has more than a hundred cafes, bars and restaurants - from modest and rather democratic huts with a simple menu to fashionable establishments with haute cuisine. 45 of them have been awarded Michelin stars.

Zermatt has many high-mountain restaurants where you can dine overlooking the Alpine slopes.

From traditional Swiss cuisine, you should definitely try fondue made from local cheeses and “rösti”. The local establishments prepare dishes of other European cuisines, there are pizzerias and sushi bars. The average check is quite high. In a modest cafe, lunch will cost 50-70 CHF, and the bill for dinner in an elite Michelin restaurant can reach up to 100 CHF per person.

Entertainment and attractions

In Zermatt, there is a clear excess of ice sights: an ice tower in the center of the village, an ice cave in eternal ice on the Matterhorn, "a hall of ice." There is also a ski museum. In addition, it is convenient to make panoramic excursions along the funicular line between Sunnega, Rothorn and Gornegrat from here. A three minute ride on the Sunnegga-Express takes the train to Sunnegga's sunny corner, 689 meters above Zermatt. From there it is convenient to go higher to Blowherd and further on the panoramic route to Rothorn.

Riffelberg - Gornegrat - Stockhorn: Europe's highest panoramic route with great views of the valley and the Alps. The train ride to Gornegrat, one of the oldest and most famous viewpoints of the surrounding mountains, takes an hour. From Gornegrat, you can take a lift to the Monte Rosa Glacier.

Schwarzsee - Trockener Steeg - Klein Matterhorn: these panoramic areas of the Matterhorn can also be easily reached by ski lifts.

It doesn’t matter for what purpose and when you arrived in Zermatt: this city definitely deserves a “lap of honor”, ​​especially since, due to its compact size, everything about everything is unlikely to take more than half a day. A fragment of the old village is also interesting, where the ancient wooden houses and barns, ingeniously protected from rodents, and newer buildings, and three city churches, Lutheran, English, and Catholic. By the way, if you turn from main street and go a little deeper into the conditionally non-tourist quarters, it immediately becomes clear that the way local residents, if it has changed over the past 150 years (since the beginning of the transformation of Zermatt from a poor alpine town into a mountaineering and skiing Mecca), then it is very insignificant.

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Finally, the Matterhorn Museum in the city center definitely deserves a visit: the entrance to it is made in the form of a glass copy of “you know what”, and the extensive exposition is entirely located underground. It without cuts, without turning over the tragic pages, of which there are many, tells about the history of the famous peak, which has become the key to prosperity for Zermatt, and for many hotheads from all over the world - the last refuge. At the same time, in the museum you can admire the harsh life of mountain guides of the last century, whose breakfast (as well as lunch and dinner), judging by the exposition, consisted of a couple of baked potatoes and a pine cone.

Dmitry Shishkanov

Alpin Fun Park offers its guests winter golf and winter volleyball. The resort will also not let you get bored with billiards, table football, curling, outdoor and indoor skating rinks, fitness centers, paragliding, golf (in hotels Simi and Events

In Zermatt, in addition to all sorts of international sports competitions in alpine skiing, other interesting competitions are held: in mid-January - Horu Trophy, one of the largest curling competitions in Europe. In early March - ski touring Zermatt - Rothorn, Mogul competition Triftji Bump Bash.

3 things to do in Zermatt

1. Meet the charming lamb Wally.
2. Admire the mountain views from the window of the "Ice Express"
3. Capture the most photographed Alpine peak - the Matterhön.

Zermatt for children

The resort is made for family vacation with kids. Hotels and restaurants (especially those marked with the Valley lamb) have everything you need for kids - a special menu, children's portions, playrooms and playgrounds, babysitting services and animators. Zermatt has many ski schools aimed at young athletes. They teach children from 4 to 16 years old, you can leave the child for a few hours or the whole day. Many have full-fledged kindergartens with games, outdoor walks and meals. For training, special zones are equipped, where all the tracks are designed for children.

You should definitely visit Valley Park, where, together with the charming symbol of the resort (mascot), children play on the playground and ride water rides. And all this - on the shore of pure mountain lake Laisee, in summer you can swim, sunbathe or have a barbecue there. It is convenient to get to the park on the Alpine Metro, it is 5 minutes from the Sunnegga station.

Another interesting place- forest extreme park "Zermatt" (off. site in English). 6 rope trails are designed for visitors of different ages, the easiest - from 4 years old. Choose a route depending on the level of physical fitness.

Weather

Average monthly temperature, °C day and night

But there is still a high season - from December to the end of April, when all the slopes and slopes of the resort are covered with a thick layer of snow. This is manifested in the number of visitors, and in the prices of housing and food. The largest influx of tourists traditionally falls on the New Year and Christmas holidays.

Zermatt is a huge beautiful resort in Switzerland, located at an altitude of 1630 meters in Vispe in Valais. This is the south Swiss Alps. The resort has a beautiful area for skiing in several mountain areas: House, Monte Rosa and Matterhorn.

Zermatt has the best high-altitude slopes and cable cars, the best hotels and clubs, the most beautiful sights, amazing cafes of European and local cuisine and places for annual descent.

The weather here is changeable, but not cold. The climate is mild, in some places comfortable for skiing on any kind of sports attributes. From the beginning of September to October, from December to February, the temperature here does not reach above 5 degrees, does not fall below -10 degrees. From March to May the temperature reaches 15 degrees. AT summer months here the temperature reaches 20 degrees Celsius.

Ski area: slopes and ski lifts in the resort

Ski area: 1620 m. - 3820 m.

Tracks: only 315 km

• Blue - 111
• Reds - 155
• Black - 55

Number of lifts: 36

• Pendulum - 1
• Gondola - 5
• Chairlifts - 3

Map of slopes of ski resorts in Zermatt (click on the image to enlarge):

In Zermatt several basic ski areas, which are connected to each other. One of the largest ski areas is the area Rothorn(3103 m). There are a couple of lifts-conveyors. This area is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers.

Area under Gornergrat the best in the Alps for people with an average level of skiing. It is here that the most beautiful slopes are located along with fantastic views of the Matterhorn mountain range and others.

By the way, you can see all the delights of this place on the observation deck, thanks to which you can see a powerful Horner Glacier and Monte Rosa Peak.

The southern sector of the ski area includes the highest in the Alps Klein Matterhorn station(3883 m). Here you can go skiing and snowboarders of a high level of skill and see the best landscapes of the local resort.

Ski pass price

The cost of skiing varies depending on the season (more expensive in winter than in summer), the chosen month for visiting, as well as the weather. For children up to 8 years old, admission is free. For pensioners there is a 10% discount. Adults - from 16 to 65 years old inclusive. Children have a 20% discount on admission.

Ski pass price:

• 1 day € 60.00
• 4 days € 205.60
• 6 days € 292.50
• 12 days € 485.50
• season € 1150

Official website of the Zermatt ski resorts:

Resort infrastructure and entertainment for tourists

Everything you need in Zermatt comfortable rest. There are not only high-speed tracks, but also various restaurants, cinemas, park complexes and ice palaces. In addition, there are several nightclubs and bars.

There are also several local Catholic churches here. For shoppers, souvenirs are sold on every corner. There are even several clothing and footwear stores. During the season, there are many different fairs, local holidays and folk festivals.

See all photos of the Zermatt ski resort:

Tours and attractions

In addition to magnificent free views of mountain ranges and the largest glaciers in their scope, there is a large number of other interesting sights.

Here you can see some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes of the Alps. For example, by ordering an excursion to the Gorner Gorge, you can walk along cable cars and small wooden bridges along the cleanest rivers and enjoy the mountain scenery, and if you get on the Stellisee or Seenweg excursion, you can see beautiful lake and take pictures with local sheep.

Also scattered throughout the area are Gothic churches and Romanesque basilicas from the reign of the first kings.

Zermatt in winter and summer

Both in winter and summer in the Swiss resort is interesting. There is snow here all year round and you can ride on mountain slopes by ski.

Zermatt is not as touristy in summer as it is in winter. The city at this time the whole becomes green and blooming. In summer, you can ride mountain bikes along some trails, pick healthy alpine herbs and make tea from them.

In winter, Zermatt simply transforms into a fairy-tale kingdom, especially during the holidays. The city is decorated with garlands, various colored lanterns and beautiful flags. A large number of tourists come here and winter fairs open.

Hotels in Zermatt

There are a lot of hotels in the city, for every taste and budget. Here we give an example of a couple of hotels with a luxurious view, excellent accommodation and a relaxation area that includes rooms where you can order wellness treatments.