Catherine, September 2022

The Swiss ski resort of Zermatt has always been on my bucket list and my recent trip there was a long time coming. Originally scheduled for late March 2020, two years later I finally boarded the plane to Geneva...

Zermatt is a place I’d heard amazing things about before visiting, but could it really be as good as people make it out to be? The answer to that is a resounding yes! Stunning views of the Matterhorn, a huge ski area with endless runs, amazing hospitality and a warm welcome awaits.

Here are 6 reasons why Zermatt is well worth a visit this winter.

1. It's car-free

Visit Zermatt This Winter
Image by: Switzerland Tourism

 

Being a car-free resort, I opted to take the train to Zermatt and the journey was a real highlight. The first section to Visp offers beautiful views along Lake Geneva. At Visp you change trains and board the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. It’s a steep journey up the mountain and from here you get the first glimpse of the mighty Matterhorn.

 

2. Zermatt has fantastic hotels

I stayed at the Hotel Mirabeau and cannot recommend this place highly enough. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly and the hotel has a great, understated elegance. It’s well worth upgrading to a room with Matterhorn View as the view from my balcony was unbelievable. I kept having to pinch myself to make sure it was real! I also recommend staying here on half board basis. The daily 5-course tasting menu is fabulous with a huge variety of dishes to enjoy - all cooked to perfection. The hotel also organises a weekly raclette evening for a true Swiss experience.

At Ski Independence we offer a carefully curated selection of luxury Zermatt hotels, each with a superb range of amenities. The Hotel Mirabeau is always a popular choice with our clients; the iconic Hotel Mont Cervin Palace is located in the very heart of Zermatt and, new to our programme in 2022, the Matthiol Boutique Hotel is a charming property in a peaceful location, offering wonderful Matterhorn views.

 

3. Access the skiing is so easy

Visit Zermatt This Winter
Catherine enjoying the sunny wait for the Gornergrat Railway

 

Access to the ski area was easy thanks to the Mirabeau’s location just a 5 minute walk from the Gornergrat Railway station. The cog railway whisks you up to 3,100m and from here there are some great blue and red runs for cruising around on. The length of the runs is incredible and the terrain is so well linked. So if you prefer to start your day from a different access point the local electric buses are included in the price of your lift pass and run frequently.

 

4. You can pop over to Italy for lunch

The new cable car to access Cervinia

 

A particular highlight for me was skiing down into Cervinia in Italy for the day. The ski areas are really well linked thanks to new cable car taking you to the top of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883m. Just getting up to this height is an experience in itself and a trip up to the viewing platform is a real must.

5. Zermatt is great for non-skiers

The town of Zermatt is charming with traditional chalet style buildings, cafés, bars, restaurants and plenty of shops. I travelled with a non-skier and it worked really well as a destination. We were able to meet up easily at the mountain restaurants and there’s plenty to do in the town, including a really good museum.

6. You'll see the majestic Matterhorn

 

Need I say more? No matter where you go, you are never far from breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, Zermatt's most famous landmark. And when the skiing is as good as the scenery there's every reason to add this resort to your wish list.

Zermatt completely lived up to my high expectations and it’s a destination that should be at the top of any skier’s list of places to go to. If you are interested in travelling to Zermatt, please call our reservations team on 0131 243 8097 and we’ll be delighted to put together a quote for you.

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