Zermatt is much more than just skiing!
Zermatt offers a wide range of activities both for skiers and non-skiers, in and around the village and mountains, which you may wish to take part in during your stay here.
THE MATTERHORN GLACIER RIDE CABLE CAR AND ITALY
Take the Matterhorn Express gondola and then the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise aerial tram to reach the Klein Matterhorn, which is highest altitude mountain cable-car station in Europe at 3,883 metres. There is a panoramic platform where the views are breath-taking, as is the altitude! You can visit the Glacier Palace, a series of ice caverns inside the glacier itself. From here there is a new gondola which connects with the Italian cable cars, enabling you to go all the way to the village of Cervinia and have lunch in Italy. Around 1 ½ hours each way.
GORNERGRAT TRAIN
With its sunny viewing platform that can be reached throughout the year, the Gornergrat, at an altitude of 3,089 m above sea level, has been the top tourist destination in Switzerland for the last 113 years. The panorama is considered to be one of the most beautiful: the Monte Rosa massif which is the highest Swiss mountain at 4,634m, and a view over the second-largest glacier in the Alps, the Gornergletscher, 1,000 metres below you, as well as 29 peaks higher than 4000 metres – and everything so close that you could almost touch it. You reach the Gornergrat on the highest open-air cogwheel railway in Europe, which departs directly from the its own railway station opposite the main station in Zermatt. At the top is the highest altitude hotel in Switzerland, the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat – complete with restaurant, observatory and shopping opportunites.
HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE MOUNTAINS
Fly around the peak of the Matterhorn and over breathtaking glaciers. Air Zermatt offer sightseeing trips lasting either 20 or 30 minutes, 230CHF or 330CHF per person. If you are a skier, you can be dropped off at Testa Grigia (near the Klein Matterhorn ski area). For more information or reservations call Air Zermatt on Tel: +41 (0)27 966 86 86. It’s a truly amzing experience which we really recommend.
ICE SKATING AND ICE HOCKEY
The natural and artificial ice rinks in the centre of the village offer free fun on the ice from December to the end of February. The natural ice rink has a children’s and beginner’s area with penguin shaped props to hold on to. Access is free. The man-made ice rink is flood-lit in the evenings and is where hockey is practised and played.
You can hire skates from Julen Sports shop opposite the ice hockey rink.The rink is open every day from 10.00 – 19.00, from December to the end of February.
TOBOGANNING / SLEDGING
There are two official tobogganing routes; one from Furi back to the village along the walker’s path past Moos Restaurant. Sledges can be hired at the lift station. The second one involves taking a trip up on the Gornergrat train to Rotenboden and tobogganing back to Riffelberg. Toboggans can be hired at Rotenboden station and individual train tickets purchased at the Gornergrat Train Station (if you do not have a lift pass).
CURLING
(Weather dependant) The 8 lanes on the natural ice rink in Zermatt simply invite you to try your hand at this fun family sport. No experience needed! Each lane can accommodate up to eight people curling in teams of up to four. It is open up to the end of February from 10.00 to 19.00 and you can book a lane for 75CHF for the two hours. Call ahead to reserve a lane
Tel. +41 (0)27 967 62 64.
One of the largest and best open air curling tournaments in Europe takes place in Zermatt in the third week of January: the Horu-Trophy. More than 60 teams from the whole of Europe take part.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
The 12 km of cross-country skiing trails (known as the Loipe Matterhorn) for classical skiers and skaters located between Täsch and Randa are becoming increasingly popular. Acces is with the train to Täsch (every 20 minutes, journey time 12 minutes). And you can rent everything you need for cross-country skiing in the Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch.
WINTER HIKING AND WALKING AND MOUNTAIN RESTAURANTS
There are 50 km of winter walking paths around and above Zermatt. Enjoy the peace and quiet away from the pistes, on high altitude paths with marvellous views. Almost all winter walking paths have a gentle incline, both up and down. A few present a greater challenge with up to 500 metres in altitude difference. It’s not unusual to see a chamois or even an ibex from time to time. And a good restaurant at the end. More information and maps on zermatt.ch. For a list of mountain restaurants which both skiers and non-skiers can reach, have a look at this guide on our website.
SNOWSHOE HIKING
If you can walk in mountaineering boots, you will also be able to hike on snowshoes across the glittering snow through undisturbed winter landscapes, far away from the pistes. Zermatt has five marked snowshoe trails. Guided hikes are a very special experience, and are also offered in Randa and Täsch. A meditative experience for all ages. More information and maps on zermatt.ch
There are five marked trails around Zermatt and the Alpine Centre offer guided tours Tel; +41 (0)27 966 24 60. Snowshoes can be rented by the day 15 CHF or half day 8 CHF at Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden, or at most sports shops.
ICE CLIMBING
Frozen waterfalls are not only beautiful to look at, but also to touch. The extreme sport of ice climbing requires the same know-how as alpine climbing, a head for heights and excellent physical fitness. And instruction! You can make a start at Furi, 1,864 metres above sea level, or in Findelbach. Book a guide at the Alpine Center.
INDOOR CLIMBING
In the winter, the climbing wall in the Triftbachhalle allows climbing exercises to be carried out on a 7 metre high wall with an area of 140 m2. But you have to be at least ten years old before you can test your capabilities here! A mountain guide is present on Fridays. Single entry CHF 12.00 per person
Mon 21:00 – 22:30
Thurs 19:00 – 22:30
Fri 19:00 – 21:00
TOUR OF THE SNOW MAKING SYSTEM
In Zermatt, more than 60 % of all the pistes are covered with artificial snow or are situated on glaciers. How does the artificial snow system work? How much water and energy are required and where does all the water come from? You will find answers to these and other questions on a guided tour of the Zermatt artificial snow system. A look behind the scenes is always worthwhile and provides some interesting figures.
Every Thursday from January to April. Meeting point: 10:00 o’clock Riffelberg Mountain station – Gifthittli chairlift
Duration approx. 1 hour, dress and equipment as for snow sports
PISTE PREPARATION “LIVE”
“Snow-covered slopes, endless vastness in the moonlight, all on my own, far away from civilisation, only able to reach my colleagues by radio and the 430 horsepower Snowcat as my only companion”. This is how a snowcat driver described his job preparing the slopes. The piste bashers would be happy to invite you to take part in an evening of piste preparation, but you must be prepared to stay with them from around 4.00 p.m. until midnight at the latest. Be assured: it will be an unforgettable experience. On weekdays during the winter season:
Tuesday: Matterhorn glacier paradise area. Wednesday: Rothorn paradise area. Thursday: Gornergrat area
IGLOO DORF
Imagine sleeping in an igloo. There is hardly any other form of housing that is more linked with romance and snow. The igloo village is located between Riffelberg and Gornergrat – with a bar, standard and romantic igloo rooms and a wide range of things to do. Snowshoe hiking by night, a fondue party, hot and ice-cold outdoor tubs. Experience living in an ice house like the Inuit.
For further information on all the above events you can also contact Iglu Dorf direct.
Tourist Office Tel. no: +41 (0)27 966 81 00 www.iglu-dorf.com or info@iglu-dorf.co
PARAGLIDING TANDEM FLIGHTS
You’ve never seen Zermatt like this before: in free flight, with a bird’s eye view, flying with the wind, and, of course, without an engine. Flights are tandem, with an experienced pilot doing all the steering. Fulfil the dream of flying for up to half an hour, from Rothorn all the way down to Zermatt. There are several operators in Zermatt.
ZERMATT MUSEUM
Take a step back in time and find out all about the history of Zermatt and the many attempts at scaling the Matterhorn. The museum is situated near the church and is open daily from 15.00 – 19.00. Admission per adult is 10 CHF (children between 10 – 16 years 5 CHF and senior citizens 8 CHF). It’s a truly fascinating place and good for kids too.
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS’ CEMETERY
“We lost our lives here, but found them again there. On the holy mountain of the Lord.” Many mountaineers have lost their lives on the Matterhorn and in the mountains around Zermatt. And many of them are buried in Zermatt – in the cemetery of the Anglican church of St. Peter’s and in the Catholic cemetery by the main church.
GUIDED VILLAGE TOURS
If you’re wondering why barn houses in Valais stand on wooden posts with stone plates, or how people in Zermatt earned their living in the time before the rise of tourism, or if you want to know about the life of the legendary mountain guide Ulrich Inderbinen, who made his last ascent of the Matterhorn at 93, you should join a guided tour of the village. Tours are free of charge and are done in English, French, and German. Ask your resort assistant for times.
CHURCHES AND CHAPELS
A dozen chapels and prayer houses around Zermatt bear witness to the deeply felt piety here in former times. Until well into the 20th Century, many local families led the lives of nomads: during the summer, they lived in the various hamlets that surround the village of Zermatt and only returned to the village at the start of winter. It is therefore not surprising that each mountain hamlet built its own chapel in order to be close to God in a place of worship during the summer. Winkelmatten, Blatten, Zum See, Schwarzsee, Findeln all have lovely tiny chapels.
The main church is the big Catholic one in the heart of the village. Zermatt also has an English Anglican Church that is situated above the Molino restaurant terrace next to the main street.
CINEMA
Zermatt has only one cinema, but what a cinema! The “Vernissage” is a masterpiece by the Zermatt artist Heinz Julen. Shows are local films “Whymper’s Weg auf’s Matterhorn” (Whymper’s path to the Matterhorn) and “Menschen am Matterhorn” (People on the Matterhorn), which were filmed by August Julen, the father of Heinz Julen, in the Fifties with a Super 8 camera. August Julen, mountain guide and ski teacher, learned his cinematic skills from one of his ski pupils: Walt Disney.
SWIMMING & SPAS
Please note that most hotels grant paying access to non-hotel guests during the day but not after 16:00.
Mont Cervin Palace
Tel. +41 (0)27 966 88 88
mcp.reservation@seilerhotels.ch | www.seilerhotels.ch/mont-cervin-palace
Indoor and outdoor pool, fun pool for children, whirlpools, saunas, steam baths, solaria, fitness room, massage & Daniela Steiner Beauty spa.
Hotel Zermatterhof
Tel +41 27 966 66 00
A stylish designer pool with exterior views, wellness and spa.
Backstage Hotel Vernissage
Phone: +41 (0)27 966 69 70
info@backstagehotel.ch | www.backstagehotel.ch
A unique seven stage wellness circuit based on the Book of Genesis.
INDOOR GAMES
Country Bar Tel. +41 27 967 15 96
Hotel Elite Hofmattweg 3
- 5 billiard tables (16.- CHF per table/hour)
- 1 football table
- 3 photo play
- 1 Golf
ESCAPE ROOM
Schluhmattstrasse 3,3920 Zermatt, Switzerland, Tel. +41 78 814 083
- 3 different escape rooms
INDOOR TENNIS
Hotel Alex tel. +41 27 966 70 70
Court hire and prices on request.
Tennis balls and rackets available.
MASSAGE
Completely relax after a hard day on the mountain or just indulge yourself with one of many massage treatments available in your own chalet. Ask your resort assistant for more information.
YOGA / PILATES
Have your own private yoga teacher in the comfort of your own chalet. Ask your resort assistant to book.