FUN ZERMATT WINTER ACTIVITIES IN WINTER
Zermatt in the winter is probably one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. Though I am not a winter sports enthusiast, I was blown away by its beauty – I just love visiting Zermatt in the winter months!
Located in the southern part of Switzerland – in the canton of Valais – this little town is famous as a winter sports destination. At an elevation of 1,620 meters, Zermatt lies at the base of Switzerland’s highest peaks (including the famous Matterhorn Mountain).
With such proximity to the Swiss Alps and guaranteed snow throughout the winter, it’s no wonder Zermatt is one of the most popular winter vacation spots in the world.
This post is all about what to do in Zermatt in the winter and many more travel tips.
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TRAVEL TIPS FOR A WINTER TRIP TO ZERMATT
Let´s start with how to get to Zermatt because it is not as easily accessible as other towns in Switzerland.
Swiss Travel Pass
If you use public transportation, I recommend getting a Swiss Travel Pass.
- It allows you to use trains and buses without any extra costs.
- The beautiful train rides are also free with your Swiss Travel Pass – including the famous Glacier Express that runs from St.Moritz to Zermatt and is an experience in itself. For some scenic train rides, you have to make a reservation and pay a fee, but you can ride most trains without any extra costs.
- You can also do boat cruises without additional costs – there are no lakes in Zermatt to cruise, but if you create a Switzerland itinerary, then you might enjoy those boat cruises.
- A Swiss Travel Pass gives you a 50% discount on most mountain rides, so you can get up to Gornergrat, etc. for just half of the price.
- The Matterhorn Museum (Zermatlantis) is free with a Swiss Travel Pass, and so are many more Swiss museums.
Check out prices for a Swiss Travel Pass here
How to Get to Zermatt
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Zermatt does not have an airport. Most likely, you will fly to Geneva or Zurich. Take a train to Zermatt. Train rides in Switzerland are mostly amazing but not always. It is worth asking for scenic train rides – those are fantastic.
CAR + PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Driving in Switzerland is fun, but in the winter, it is probably only for more experienced drivers. Especially with all the snow and mountain roads. However, Zermatt is car-free. Drive to Täsch (Taesch – a little village close to Zermatt) and leave your car in a big car park, which charges about 24 CHF for 24 hours of parking. Täesch has a small train station, and from there, take a train to Zermatt.
With a Swiss Travel Pass, can take the train for free. Without a Swiss Travel Pass, you pay around 16 CHF for a return ticket from Täsch to Zermatt.
Where to Stay in Zermatt
Zermatt is an extremely luxurious destination. Prices in the winter are higher than in the summer (or fall and spring). You can find out about my best tips on saving money in Switzerland. If you visit Zermatt in December, prices might be even higher. Especially around Christmas, Zermatt is popular.
- Luxury hotels in Zermatt: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof – This hotel defines luxury at its best in Zermatt.
- Mid-range hotels in Zermatt: I stayed at Sunstar Style Hotel. The prices were very reasonable, and the location was great. I even had a great view of the Matterhorn.
- Click here to find my accommodation guide for Zermatt.
WHAT TO DO IN ZERMATT IN THE WINTER
I will start with the winter sports activities before talking about unique winter activities in Zermatt, and then I will also talk about some amazing mountain excursions you can take.
Skiing and Snowboarding
What is the most popular winter activity in Zermatt? You guessed it – skiing and snowboarding.
Right next to town, is one of the highest ski areas in Switzerland and in the Alps. Sitting at an altitude of 3,883 meters (12,739 feet) the Matterhorn ski paradise offers amazing runs for even the most experienced skier.
For this, get up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (also known as Klein Matterhorn) first with the chair lifts and cable cars to get you to the top.
There are 360 kilometers of run for various experience levels – blue, red, black, and yellow. Zermatt also offers nine ski schools with multilingual instructors to teach beginners and help more experienced skiers improve.
Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
I prefer to be on my feet rather than skis, this is why I love winter hikes and snowshoeing.
Hiking isn’t just for summer; Zermatt is the perfect spot to try winter hiking and snowshoeing. This is a great way to experience Zermatt in December, January, February, or even in early March or November.
The options for snowshoe hiking in and around Zermatt are endless. Your winter hike will give you a chance to really explore the natural beauty of the area – including overhanging terraces that allow for picture-perfect views of Zermatt, Täsch, and Randa.
There are guided hikes as well as self-guided trails – so, this is why I love Zermatt in the winter though I am not the typical winter sports enthusiast.
Ice Sports
How about ice sports? Whether you visit Zermatt in January or any other winter month, it has a lot to offer, including ice skating, hockey, curling, and ice fall climbs.
Right in the center of Zermatt are ice rinks that are perfect for families or people of all ages. These rinks are also very popular for both Bavarian and Scottish curling.
The Obere Matten Sports and Recreation Arena is perfect for ice sports of all kinds. If you step outside the village proper, you will experience the gorgeous ice falls. There you can climb huge icicles while watching this beautiful display of nature.
- You can rent any equipment in any of the nearby sports stores in Zermatt.
Tobogganing
Sledding and tobogganing are other popular activities in Zermatt. If you love the excitement of going down steep trails, then you might want to spend some of your vacations on these runs. There are three to choose from, ranging from easy to medium levels.
- The easiest is the Randa run, which is gentle and slow and located in town – perfect for beginners and families with children.
- The medium-level one is the Täsch run, which you can only access on foot. Once you trek up the slope, you’ll be able to speed down 3.6 kilometers of the snow-covered hill for an exhilarating ride.
- The Rotenboden run is slightly longer and more exciting. Over the course of ten minutes, you will see the beauty of the Matterhorn as you sled down from Gornergrat (and Gornergrat again it is).
These are great Zermatt winter activities if you want a few thrills.
Town of Zermatt
Seeing lovely Zermatt under the cover of snow and the bright sun is an amazing winter activity. Stroll the streets of this Alpine village – at this time of year, it is like a winter wonderland.
Zermatt is car-free, so you will only see a few taxis and buses, which are electric. It is so small that you can easily make your way around on foot.
Stroll the tiny yet beautiful town of Zermatt with its traditional wooden chalets and unique charm, go Christmas shopping (if you can afford it, this is the place to buy luxury watches), stroll along the river, or enjoy nice views of the town from vantage points close by.
Stop by the ice rink, and people watch, window shop some of the boutiques, and stop for some food or a drink at one of the restaurants.
Paragliding and Heliskiing
Zermatt has plenty to offer to more adventurous tourists – like paragliding in winter. Two flying schools offer tandem paragliding and lessons if you want to go solo. If you prefer to heliski, you have the option to take a helicopter up to the top of the mountain and then ski down on untouched snow.
Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis
To top off this list of winter activities in Zermatt, you should definitely make a stop at the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis. This museum provides the history of Zermatt, from its origins as a farming village to its current-day status as a world-renowned Alpine resort.
Watch a short film about the first ascent and see the broken rope that led to tragedy. If you are interested in history, you might also find the exhibits of the stone ax from the Neolithic Period (3000-5000 BC) and the remains of the “Söldner” mercenary from around the 16th century worth visiting.
There are original houses and interiors that help illustrate how Zermatt was a century ago. The museum’s own design was the work of the famous Steiner Sarnen.
Also, especially in the winter, this is an amazing place to not only learn about history but also to warm up a bit! However, though I visited Zermatt many times, I only visited recently because I did not check the opening hours before (they are only open for a few hours a day).
Igloo Village
Nestled at Rotenboden station, the Igloo Village Zermatt presents an adventure soaring at 2,727 meters above sea level, setting the benchmark for high-altitude igloo communities in the Alps.
Annually crafted anew, the igloos are masterpieces adorned by the hands of world-renowned artists.
At the daytime igloo bar, indulge with sumptuous Swiss cheese fondue or savor the exclusive homemade white igloo Glühwein (mulled wine).
And, of course, do not forget to feast your eyes on the majestic panorama.
Open: 20th December 2024 – 20th April 2025 – 10:30 am to 4 pm.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (also known as Klein Matterhorn) at almost 4,000 meters above sea level gives you some stunning views all around you.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is one of the best places to visit in Zermatt in the winter. The views that you will get are unbeatable.
The summit lift will take you to the highest viewing platform in the Alps, which is at an elevation of 3,900 meters. You can turn full circle and see an amazing panorama of 38 peaks, including mountains in Italy, France, and Switzerland, including the highest mountain in Switzerland, which is Monte Rosa (also known as Dufourspitze).
Mountain restaurants at the top offer amazing views with your meal if you want to stop and relax for a bit. Afterward, you are very close to the Glacier Palace, a really cool museum of sorts. Housed inside a glacier, you’ll find ice crystals and ice sculptures once you enter.
A little cinema lounge shows videos about the Matterhorn and the Alps – quite interesting to learn more about it!
- Check out Ticket Prices for the Klein Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Entrance – these are the best prices.
- But if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can save money on the tickets.
Christmas in Zermatt
If you visit Zermatt during and before the Christmas season, then you are lucky! In Zermatt, a white Christmas is a certainty, thanks to its reliable snowfall each year!
The charm of Zermatt is palpable in its picturesque mountain village, where cozy chalets boast rustic roofs and heritage wooden facades, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Whether or not you’re staying in these charming dwellings, a stroll through the village’s labyrinthine alleys is a must.
Zermatt’s quaint shops offer an array of items, from handcrafted keepsakes to exquisite Swiss culinary treats housed within the village’s finest eateries.
Residents take pride in adorning their idyllic homes with festive lights and decorations, making the phrase “fairytale wonderland” a perfect description of Zermatt during Christmas time.
Gornergrat Bahn
Who doesn’t love a winter train ride through the mountains? This mountain rack railway will take you from the town of Zermatt up to the top of Gornergrat. But the destination is only half the fun, as the train ride is really cool.
From the Gornergrat Bahn, watch the breathtaking views unfold as you climb another 1,500 meters from Zermatt to 3,000 meters above sea level.
Up at the top, the views are incredible. You can see the highest mountain of Switzerland – Mount Rosa (also known as the Dufourspitze) which stands at 4634 meters above sea level.
In June 2021, a new attraction opened at Gornergrat – Zooom the Matterhorn. It is an interactive museum with virtual activities like paragliding.
Virtual paragliding in Zermatt is really, really great. It was just a short experience (3 minutes), but it was good enough for me.
- If you have a Gornergrat ticket (one-way or return), you can visit this museum for free. Otherwise, it costs around CHF 12.
- If you travel with a dog, you will need to put him/her in a bag.
- Tip: If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can save money on the ticket (50%).
Pampering at a Spa
Following an exhilarating day on the ski runs or other fun winter activities, basking in spectacular vistas, or wandering through the festive Christmas village, you’ve earned the indulgence of a spa day!
Zermatt presents attractive offers for all spa and wellness enthusiasts. Many of the lodgings come complete with in-house pools or hot tubs, and you can also arrange for a visit to an offsite spa to ensure your relaxation needs are fully met.
However, like everything in Zermatt, it all comes with a price tag. Few things feel as great as a pampering session on a cold day – especially when it comes with a view.
The spa area at Riffelalp Resort 2222m in particular looks amazing! Check out the images here.
CONCLUSION: PLAN YOUR ZERMATT WINTER TRIP
In winter, Zermatt transforms into a snow-laden paradise, epitomizing the winter wonderland of postcards and dreams. With its guaranteed snowy blanket, Zermatt promises enchanting white Christmases amid the majestic Alps.
The village exudes warmth and charm with its twinkling lights and festive aromas. The abundance of winter sports in Zermatt is next-level, making the little resort one of the top destinations to visit in the winter.
So, while Zermatt is a perfect place to visit all year round, Zermatt in winter is especially charming. There is so much more to do than just winter sports – though this surely alone is reason enough to visit. If you are headed to Zermatt in the winter months, I hope this winter travel guide helps you plan your trip to this cute town.
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