High in the Swiss Alps in the canton of Valais, Zermatt is known as the village of the Matterhorn, aka the Toblerone mountain. But this chocolate box town is more than just a pretty face. A mecca for mountaineers for more than a century, Zermatt is famed for its year-round glacier skiing with a vast ski area that links to Cervinia in Italy. Less-active folks have things to do in Zermatt, too, with an easy-on-the-eye old town, a wealth of gourmet restaurants, and a fun (if swanky) après-ski scene.
Zermatt offers year-round skiing thanks to its high-altitude glacier, but the official winter season kicks off in early Dec. and continues to the tail end of Apr. Early season skiers are rewarded with the best snow falls, while March and April are ideal for piste-side sun seekers. Spring highlights include the annual Zermatt Unplugged acoustic musical festival, and travelers can add hiking, mountain biking, and climbing to their summer plans.
The alpine town is car-free, meaning that the only way to get there is by train. Travelers can leave their cars at Täsch, and use the Matterhorn Gotthard railway to reach Zermatt in less than 15 minutes. Most hotels and chalets offer pickup services by electric carts or even horse-drawn carriage, and the old town is accessible on foot. It’s also worth knowing that the ski lift tickets include journeys on Zermatt’s public electric buses year-round.
Zermatt’s food is as serious as its skiing. If you have Swiss francs to splurge, lunchtime plates of rosti and raclette are especially good amid the Matterhorn views. If you want to save your money, ski down Klein Matterhorn on one of the world’s longest runs, and you’ll find Italian restaurants offering more bang for your buck. Fresh pasta and polenta dishes beckon, ready to be chased down with a bombardino, the Italian take on an eggnog shot.
