Intermediate Skiing in Zermatt
Are you an intermediate skier?
Intermediate Skiing at Sunnegga: Building Confidence with Spectacular Views
The Sunnegga area offers intermediate skiers the perfect combination of accessible terrain and stunning scenery, making it an ideal starting point for your Zermatt skiing adventure.
Begin your day with the gentle blue runs below Blauherd, where wide, well-groomed pistes allow you to find your rhythm while taking in panoramic views of the Matterhorn.
The picturesque descent to Findeln—with its collection of world-class mountain restaurants—provides a confidence-building warm-up that sets the tone for an outstanding day on the slopes.
Wide gentle blue runs at Blauherd
Tuftern red run - Piste #9
Once warmed up, challenge yourself on the Tuftern red run (piste #9), a perfectly pitched slope that offers just the right gradient to practice those carved turns on slightly steeper terrain.
This beautiful run culminates in a magical journey through snow-laden pine trees before returning to the base of the Patrullarve chairlift, allowing for multiple laps if desired.
For a more substantial adventure, head up the modern Kumme bubble lift to access one of Zermatt’s hidden gems. The Kumme run (pistes #12 transitioning to #15) delivers a glorious long descent with varied terrain that keeps intermediate skiers engaged throughout.
This lesser-frequented area often features superior snow conditions and fewer crowds, giving you space to perfect your technique while enjoying the serene alpine environment.
Heading past the mid station of the Kumme gondola
Intermediate Skiing at Gornergrat: Epic Descents and Hidden Treasures
The historic Gornergrat sector delivers some of Zermatt’s most impressive intermediate terrain, offering sustained descents that showcase the resort’s remarkable vertical drop.
The signature journey from Gornergrat station down to Furi (following pistes #35 to #39, then #41 and #42) presents an exhilarating 1,200-vertical-meter adventure that epitomizes the Alpine skiing experience.
This magnificent route transitions through multiple snow zones and landscapes—beginning with open, panoramic slopes beneath the imposing Monte Rosa massif, then gradually descending into enchanting forest sections where narrow trails wind between snow-covered pines.
This varied descent can be enjoyed as one continuous run or broken into sections with stops at charming mountain restaurants like Riffelberg or Ritti.
Wide gentle blue runs at Blauherd
Tuftern red run - Piste #9
For those seeking Zermatt’s best-kept intermediate secret, the Hohtalli cable car accesses what many locals consider the crown jewel for confident intermediate skiers.
The legendary White Hare piste (#28) delivers 1,100 vertical meters of perfectly pitched terrain that consistently offers superior snow conditions thanks to its northeastern exposure. Despite its exceptional quality, this run remains remarkably uncrowded even during peak periods, allowing intermediates to find their flow on its long, sweeping curves.
The varied gradient keeps the descent interesting throughout—starting with moderately steep sections that gradually mellow, giving skiers a chance to perfect their technique while enjoying spectacular views across the valley.
What makes Gornergrat particularly special for intermediates is the ability to ski such substantial vertical drops without encountering intimidating steeps or technical sections. The pistes remain consistently accessible while providing enough challenge to help intermediates progress confidently.
The historic Gornergrat railway also offers a unique advantage—allowing tired legs a scenic ride back up rather than having to navigate additional lifts, making this area perfect for maximising your skiing time while capturing those essential Matterhorn photos during the railway journey.
Heading past the mid station of the Kumme gondola
Intermediate Skiing at Klein Matterhorn & Schwarzsee: High-Altitude Perfection
The Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee areas offer intermediate skiers an enticing combination of high-alpine terrain, reliable snow conditions, and some of Zermatt’s most iconic view
Wide gentle blue runs at Blauherd
Tuftern red run - Piste #9
Begin your day at Schwarzsee, where the gloriously uncrowded piste #51 from Schwarzsee to the Hirli chairlift provides the perfect morning warm-up. This hidden gem remains mysteriously empty during the morning hours, allowing intermediates to find their rhythm on beautifully groomed slopes without the crowds. The gentle pitch and consistent gradient make it ideal for perfecting your carving technique while surrounded by the dramatic alpine landscape.
For a truly special experience, venture onto piste #52, which takes you to the peripheral edge of the ski area and rewards you with a breathtaking, unique perspective of the Matterhorn’s imposing north face. This vantage point offers one of the most dramatic and rarely photographed views of the iconic mountain—a stark contrast to the classic postcard image seen from the village. The wide, open slopes here provide plenty of space to practice controlled turns while soaking in the magnificent scenery that few visitors experience.
The Klein Matterhorn area delivers some of Zermatt’s most confidence-boosting intermediate terrain at an impressive altitude that guarantees excellent snow conditions throughout the season. The area’s crown jewel is Europe’s highest groomed piste (#85), beginning at the Klein Matterhorn station at a breathtaking 3,883 meters. This high-alpine red run offers a surreal skiing experience with its panoramic views across the Alps and remarkably smooth, forgiving snow that makes intermediates feel like experts as they carve wide turns on its perfectly maintained surface.
As you descend toward Trockener Steg, you’ll find a network of flattering, cruisy red runs that strike the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility. These wide, open pistes allow intermediates to build speed comfortably while still maintaining control—ideal for those looking to progress from cautious to confident skiing.
Continuing down toward Furgg, the terrain gradually becomes more engaging, with slightly steeper pitches that provide just enough challenge to help intermediates advance their skills. Even these more demanding sections maintain comfortable width and excellent grooming, creating the perfect training ground for developing skiers. The consistent quality of these slopes, combined with their impressive length, makes this area perfect for intermediates who want to clock serious vertical meters while steadily improving their technique throughout the day.
The reliable snow conditions at these higher elevations, even during warmer periods, make Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee excellent choices for intermediate skiers throughout the season, particularly during spring when lower slopes might soften earlier in the day.
Heading past the mid station of the Kumme gondola
Intermediate Skiing in Cervinia & Valtournenche: Italian Flair and Epic Descents
Crossing the border from Zermatt into Italy opens up an entirely different skiing experience for intermediates, where long, sweeping pistes, spectacular southern views, and a more relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere await. The Italian side of the Matterhorn (locally known as Monte Cervino) offers some of the most confidence-boosting intermediate terrain in the Alps, making a cross-border skiing day an essential experience for any intermediate skier visiting Zermatt.
Wide gentle blue runs at Blauherd
Tuftern red run - Piste #9
After passing through the Plateau Rosa/Testa Grigia border crossing at 3,480m, intermediates can embark on one of the Alps’ most spectacular descents—the legendary Ventina run (piste #7). This remarkable piste delivers an astonishing 2,000 vertical meters (over 6,500 feet) of continuous skiing all the way down to Cervinia town. What makes Ventina particularly special for intermediates is its perfect, consistent gradient—challenging enough to maintain interest but never intimidating, allowing skiers to find a comfortable rhythm for this marathon descent.
The Ventina journey begins with panoramic high-alpine terrain offering stunning views back toward the Matterhorn’s less-photographed Italian face. As you descend, the piste gradually transforms, flowing through various landscapes from wide-open snowfields to more sheltered sections, all while maintaining its intermediate-friendly character. The sheer length of this run—approximately 11km from top to bottom—gives a tremendous sense of journey and accomplishment, yet its forgiving nature means most intermediates can complete it without exhaustion.
With its southerly exposure, Ventina typically enjoys excellent visibility and sunshine, creating perfect conditions for capturing spectacular photos and appreciating the grandeur of the surroundings. For many intermediates, completing this iconic descent becomes a highlight of their Zermatt experience and a genuine skiing achievement to remember.
Approximately halfway down the Ventina run, a well-marked left turn invites explorers to discover the lesser-known treasures of Valtournenche. This smaller, more traditional Italian resort feels worlds away from the international atmosphere of Zermatt and Cervinia, offering a more authentic Italian mountain experience.
Valtournenche’s terrain is an intermediate skier’s paradise, characterized by beautifully maintained, wide-open “motorway” style red runs that inspire confidence and allow for substantial improvement in technique. These generously proportioned pistes give intermediates plenty of space to practice carving turns at comfortable speeds without the congestion often found on more popular slopes.
What sets Valtournenche apart is the consistent quality of its grooming combined with significantly lower skier numbers. Even during peak periods, you’ll often find yourself with abundant space to enjoy these wonderfully flowing slopes. The area’s slightly lower elevation compared to Cervinia means the runs are frequently lined with picturesque snow-covered pines, adding to the scenic appeal.
The charming village of Valtournenche itself offers excellent value mountain restaurants where you can refuel with authentic Italian cuisine at prices considerably lower than those in Zermatt. The combination of superb intermediate skiing, stunning scenery, and Italian hospitality makes this detour highly recommended for intermediates looking to enhance their cross-border adventure with a more laid-back, distinctly Italian skiing experience.
Remember to allow plenty of time for your return journey to Zermatt, as you’ll need to reach the border crossing before the lifts close. The perfect end to your Italian skiing day is enjoying the late-afternoon sun on the high, south-facing slopes as you make your way back toward Switzerland, perhaps stopping at one of the panoramic mountain restaurants near the border to toast your international skiing adventure.