In a lush valley flanked by jagged mountainsides, nestled in the Valais region – special for winter sports and climbing – it is also one of Switzerland’s top-notch destinations. Dominated by the definitive mountain Matterhorn – the huge and gracefully curved – it makes almost any angle a postcard view.
A picturesque alpine village called Zermatt has nestled away in the Swiss Alps. One of Europe‘s most distinctive alpine landscapes is created by the gigantic Matterhorn, which dominates the skyline.
We are about to wow you with all the incredible information and activities to do in Zermatt, Switzerland, to make your Zermatt holiday fantastic!
Appreciate the View of the Matterhorn
Without the dramatic background created by the steep pyramid of the Matterhorn, Zermatt would be another charming Swiss hamlet rather than a renowned international icon of the Alps and of Switzerland. The mountain characterises Zermatt and provides a year-round charm that no other land can match, making it the Swiss national symbol.
Four different faces, one for each compass point, make up the 4,478-meter summit. Sharp ridges split them, and multiple glaciers can be seen below the steep peak. The south face looks out over Valtournenche, one of the best ski resorts in Italy, while three of the faces are in Switzerland. The Theodul Pass, a significant trading route in Roman and mediaeval times, is located east of Matterhorn’s summit.
The Matterhorn can be seen absolutely anywhere because of its prominent position over the town of Zermatt. The majestic Matterhorn will be there, whether you are strolling around the city or taking a cable car up into the slopes – making it a view from anywhere in the land of Zermatt!
Skiing and Winter Sports
Thanks to the closeby glaciers, Zermatt offers year-round skiing, with ski terrain between 2,500 and 3,900 meters – Switzerland’s highest vertical drop is more than 2,133 meters.
Taking the lifts to the summit and skiing over the Theodul Pass and into the Italian ski resort of Cervina is one of the best ski experiences in the Alps. The world’s highest 3S cableway launched in 2019, bringing 2,000 skiers an hour to the Matterhorn Glacier, at 3,883 metres height, where you can ski year-round.
High-altitude ski tours, Heli-skiing, Nordic trails, and night skiing are some other options, and you don’t need to ski (only) to enjoy winter sports here. Snowshoe routes, several curling rinks, and natural ice skating rinks are all found.
Ride the Gornergrat Railway
The Gornergrat Bahn, the highest mountain railroad in Europe – running over open country, takes about 45 minutes to climb 10 kilometres to the summit of the Gornergrat. With more stunning views of the Matterhorn, the rack railroad ascends the east side of Nikolai Valley and onto the slopes of the Riffelberg in a broad curve. Riffelberg – at 2,582 meters altitude – has a hotel and restaurant with a terrace, popular among visitors as their sundeck.
Kleines Matterhorn and Sunnnega
The tallest cable car tour in Europe travels from the Trockener Steg to the north face of the Kleines Matterhorn, making it one of the most breathtaking journeys and offering fantastic views of the region.
From Zermatt’s town centre, a funicular ascends through a tunnel to the Sunnegga sun deck at 2,289 metres. There is a restaurant here that is open all year long and additional attractions here throughout the summer. Kids play in the Leisee’s crystal-clear water, and there is a marmot viewing station where visitors can observe the tiny, hairy creatures that dwell in the mountains’ tunnels. In addition, many hikes begin from this point.
Hinterdorf
The Hinterdorf is a maze of winding streets lined with weathered old wooden chalets, barns, stables, and storehouses further up in the hamlet of Zermatt, past the Monte Rosa Hotel – the first lodge built for early climbers and where you can take a history tour.
The structures in the Hinterdorf were built between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. They were made of exceptionally dense native larch wood, and their stone slab roofs were designed to endure the weight of snow. One of the rare locations where you can view such a collection of antique Valais village structures in such good condition is Zermatt.
Trek Through the Gorner Gorge
The Gornervispe has grown every spring as a result of the melting snow and ice from the Gorner Glacier, and as it swirls and churns through the rock, it has created a striking chasm. Around a 15-minute stroll from the hamlet of Zermatt, wooden walkways reach into this world of waterfalls where the greenish serpentine rock has been sculpted into spectacular designs over thousands of years. In the constant mists that come from the swirling water, mosses and ferns flourish!
The uncommon sites and skiing and winter activities make Zermatt, Switzerland, one holy destination of snow! Pack your bags with heavy clothes, book the tour and buckle up to experience one best visits to Zermatt –worth a visit!
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