New in Zermatt for 2018/19 Ski Holidays

Zermatt offers snow-sure, unique skiing in the shadow of the famous Matterhorn. Surrounded by mighty summits, on offer is over 350km of pistes, with easy connections between Zermatt and the neighbouring Italian resort of Cervinia. As well as awesome skiing, the car-free village of Zermatt has a lively après-ski scene with plenty of restaurants serving everything from traditional Swiss cuisine to Italian pizza and several bars to enjoy live sports or dance until the early hours. Add in a handful of four and five-star luxury hotels, and Zermatt has all the ingredients for a great getaway.

So what's new in Zermatt in 2018/19? While the resort offers the same quality experience year after year, we’ve put together a list of some of the exciting new additions for the upcoming season.

© Pascal Gertschen

Lifts & Access

The world’s highest 3S (three cable) Cableway, the Matterhorn Glacier Ride, will start operating in Zermatt in December and will transport passengers from Zermatt up to the Matterhorn glacier paradise. Enjoy the glorious panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range as you travel in luxury cable cars - a handful of which have been encrusted with Swarovski crystals and even feature a floor that becomes translucent three minutes into the journey!

The Matterhorn Glacier Ride (copyright Zermatt Bergbahnen)

The Glacier Express Excellence class: this new premium rail service guarantees each of its twenty guests a window seat, in addition to access to the lounge and bar area and stunning views throughout the ascent. Passengers are also treated to champagne and a five-course menu with wine during the 8-hour journey.

Glacier Express (© Glacier Express AG)

Cuisine

• Sushi in Switzerland: Shogun Japan Restaurant opens in December and is set to serve up sushi, sashimi and other Japanese specialities. If you fancy a night off traditional Swiss food, this fun and authentic new restaurant presents a great alternative.
• Time Out Sportsbar and Grill: a favourite of sports fans, this lively bar broadcasts all major sporting events and includes a games room complete with darts, billiards, electronic poker and a quiz machine. Tex-Mex dishes and a football table are new additions this year and confirm this bar’s reputation as the place to head to on a rainy day.

Le Gourmand

• Vegan and vegetarian dining: two new restaurants will open their doors this winter and both promise to serve vegetarian and vegan dishes – a rarity for the Swiss Alpes! Brasserie Uno includes vegetarian and vegan dishes in its daily lunch menu (which changes every day), à la carte dinner menu and even afternoon tea selection. Le Gourmand is an environmentally-conscious, vegan and vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch snack bar. In addition to serving healthy fast food, it will also use and sell bamboo straws, reusable cups and paper bags.

Events

• WOW Winter Opening Weeks: taking place from the 24^th of November - 7^th of December, the full Winter Opening Weeks programme includes a range of skiing and après-ski events such as the Christmas Tree Opening Ceremony, the Guided Village Tour and the Fat Bike Night Rides plus the chance to enter an incredible competition.

Zermatt Unplugged 2015 (© Rob Lewis)

• Zermatt Unplugged: taking place from the 9^th of April – 13^th of April, Zermatt Unplugged is a music festival that takes place both in the village and on the slopes of Zermatt. This year’s line-up includes Passenger, Francis Cabrel and Jessie J! Tickets are on sale from the 7^th of November 2018.

Hotels

• Refurbishment at the Hotel Mirabeau: the Hotel Mirabeau offers deluxe rooms with spectacular views of either the Matterhorn or the Mischabel. This season has seen the stylish refurbishment of all rooms, which also now feature soundproof windows.

Hotel Mirabeau

• The lobby of the luxury, 5-star Grand Hotel Zermatterhof has been renovated for this winter while Suite guests will now benefit from a variety of indulgent additional services, including a welcome gift from the Zermatterhof Spa, and invitation to the hotel’s classic afternoon tea, a patisserie treat from the chef each day and free alcoholic drinks from the minibar.

Deluxe Suite, Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

Back again for 2018/19

The Swiss Food Festival has been renamed Taste of Zermatt and will feature a Gondola Fondue night whereby guests can enjoy a scenic, sunset ride in a cable car while being served delicious cheese fondue and Valais wine followed by various desserts. Weather permitting, the soiree is being planned for the 5^th April 2019. Those wishing to participate must reserve a place by the 4^th of April.

© Swiss Food Festival, Marc Kronig

Summer in Zermatt

If skiing isn’t your thing then there’s plenty going on in Zermatt during summer 2019:

• The new Täsch bike trail is just one of many bike trails to follow in the Zermatt area. Starting from the village of Täsch, it then winds along the banks of the Matter Vispa around the lake Schalisee (the perfect place to cool off!) The route back leads you through the traditional Valais barns of the village of Täsch.

• Zermatt Open Air Theatre: Europe’s highest open air theatre comes to Zermatt throughout July and August and features “Matterhorn: no ladies please!” - A play about the first woman to climb the Matterhorn!

Get in touch with our team of Ski Specialists to enquire about your next tailor-made ski holiday. Ask them for their advice on what's new in Zermatt in 2018/19 and book now by calling 0131 243 8097