Zermatt ski holidays: high-altitude skiing, car-free village, and views of the Matterhorn

Zermatt combines high-altitude glacier skiing and cross-border terrain with a car-free village and varied accommodation options. Key attractions include the Matterhorn Museum, Gorner Gorge, and long-season glacier access; consult current lift maps and local sources for exact piste and lift figures.

Zermatt sits at the high end of Alpine skiing in Europe. The village is car-free and built beneath the Matterhorn, so skiing here emphasizes high-altitude terrain, glacier access and dramatic scenery.

Ski area and season

Zermatt links with the Italian side at Cervinia/Valtournenche to create an international ski area that spans high glaciers and long runs. The combined network offers several hundred kilometers of marked pistes across varying difficulty levels [[CHECK: total piste kilometres]]. Glacier skiing on the Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) keeps snow reliable late into spring and allows ski access outside the low-season months.

The resort typically operates a long winter season, and many lifts begin running in late autumn with glacier areas open later and into spring. Exact opening dates vary year to year depending on snow and maintenance.

Lifts, parks and cross-country

Zermatt's lift system includes cable cars, gondolas and mountain railways that move skiers to high terrain quickly. The resort maintains dedicated areas for freestyle (terrain parks) and beginner training. There is also prepared cross-country terrain near the village and at higher stations [[CHECK: specific lift count and cross-country trail kilometres; snowpark/halfpipe status]].

Accommodations: budget to upscale

Zermatt offers a wide range of places to stay, from small family-run hotels and guesthouses to four-star-plus spa hotels and privately managed apartments. Many properties are within easy walking distance of the main lift stations. Typical options include bed-and-breakfasts, half-board hotel packages, self-catered apartments and hotels with wellness facilities (pools, saunas, fitness areas) for post-ski recovery.

Things to do off the slopes

Beyond piste time, visit the Matterhorn Museum (Zermatlantis) to learn about the town's mountaineering history, and walk the dramatic Gorner Gorge near the village. Snowshoeing, sledding and guided glacier walks are available through local outfitters. The traffic-free streets make the village safe and easy to explore on foot.

Practical notes

Zermatt is best reached by car-train combination (park outside at Täsch) or by train; the final leg into the village is on an electric shuttle or mountain railway because private combustion vehicles are restricted. Book accommodations early for peak holiday weeks, and check lift and run maps when planning multi-day itineraries.

If you want specific, up-to-date numbers (total piste kilometres including the Italian side, current lift count, the presence/size of a halfpipe, or the status and names of particular hotels mentioned in older guides), check the official Zermatt tourism site or current piste maps before you book [[CHECK: verify piste km, lift count, park details, and hotel names/status]].

1. Confirm total kilometres of marked pistes in the Zermatt-Cervinia-Valtournenche ski area (current figure).
2. Confirm current number of lifts and major lift names/stations in Zermatt.
3. Verify length and locations of maintained cross-country trails serving Zermatt.
4. Verify current status and details of snowpark and any halfpipe facilities.
5. Verify current status and names of hotels referenced in older guides if specific properties are to be recommended.