The Zermatt ski area is a true paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Lucky for us we border the Italian ski area of Cervinia, making the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, one of the largest ski areas in the world with 360km of pistes between the two resorts. With incredible views across the high Alps in Switzerland, France and Italy it is one of the most unique ski areas to visit.
Tourists visit from all over the world to enjoy the stunning scenery and excellent snow conditions to world-class ski runs. It is a must-visit destination for any ski enthusiast, and visitors can be sure that they will have an unforgettable experience.
The Zermatt ski area has four main parts: Sunnegga, Gornergrat, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, which links over to Cervinia. There is something for everyone, from beginners to experts.
So pack your bags, grab your skis, and head to the Zermatt for an experience of a lifetime!
On first glance the piste map is vast and you may well wonder how to navigate it without getting lost. However with a little knowledge and an understanding of how the connect you can find your way around relatively easily. We’ll break it down from left to right.
Furthest left of the piste map the Sunnegga and Rothorn side is easy accessed with the Sunnegga funicular.
For beginners: Up at Sunnegga you will find the Wolli Park, the beginner area with the best views in the Alps.
Intermediate and beyond: Beyond the Wolli park there are a selection of blues and reds to progress on to. If you are a more advanced skier who likes steep piste skiing then check out National and Downhill. For those looking for ungroomed, bumpy, powdery and more challenging snow, then you’ll also find some of the yellow itinerary runs on this side, we love Paradies down from Blauherd and Marmotte from up at Rothorn.
Great restaurants: As well as the fabulous skiing on this side of the mountain, you will find some of Zermatt’s most popular gastronomic hangouts… particularly down in Findeln (take the blue run from Sunnegga).
End of the day: The runs back to down on this side are both red runs, but each have a tricky section so only to be skiing by confident red run skiers (particularly at the end of the day). Back down in town (either skiing down or taking the funicular down you’ll find great après ski spots close by like Cervo, the Snowboat and Hotel Mama.
Wolli Park beginners area
Pistes for all levels
Popular gastronomic hang outs
Great après ski
The Gornergrat area sits in middle of the Zermatt piste map. You can get up here with the Gornergrat train, which is actually a remarkably efficient and comfortable way up the mountain, particularly if you are staying near the main street or station.
Take the train up: If you are staying at the South end of town you can also access this area by taking the Matterhorn Express to Furi and then changing to the Riffelberg Express gondola up to Riffelberg.
Intermediate heaven: Once you are up at Gornergrat you will find that main area is around the Gifthittli chairlift, with 3 long, wide and cruisy blue runs and a good rolling and steeper red run. The area is a favourite with early intermediates who are practicing their technique and like the wide slopes with plenty of space, as well as kids who love all the jumps and bumps on the sides of the slopes.
Red runs to move on: You need to be a solid red run skier to ski over to Sunnegga or down to Furi from here, or you can take the gondola back down to Furi or the train back down to town.
Scenic (but not slow!) train ride up
Great blue runs
Epic views from the top
Have a drink in the Igloo
Continuing right on the piste map you’ll find Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee. Here you will come across a wide range of runs suitable for intermediate and above skiers, beginners will be very limited.
The highest point is up at Klein Matterhorn and is accessed by the modern 3S Glacier ride with the journey offering spectacular views over the Theodul glacier and beyond. The viewing platform at the top of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is something every visitor should take in, at 3899m the views are breathtaking, with 4000m peaks all around and famous mountains like Mont Blanc in Chamonix France seen in the distance. The skiing from here is the highest slope in Europe and is also way to ski over in to Italy.
Great glacier skiing: The Furgsattel chairlift at Trockener Steg accesses a couple of easy red runs and the terrain park.
Avoid the crowds: If you are looking to get away from the crowds then it’s worth heading over to Schwarzsee, with great skiing and quite pistes. Good skiers will enjoy the off piste around here too.
Scenic (but not slow!) train ride up
Great blue runs
Epic views from the top
Have a drink in the Igloo
Furthest right on the piste map are the connected ski areas of Cervinia and Val Tournenche. If you have an International ski pass then you can ski over here during your visit to Zermatt.
Into another country: Skiing over in to another country is cool, and not something you can do in many resorts.
A different world: You will find the terrain, weather and prices over in the Italian side a very different experience. Although there are a few steeper runs in general terrain is more mellow, the pistes a little wider and the skiing easier. It is largely south facing so when the sun shines (as long as the wind isn’t howling) it can be really warm. With a huge selection of restaurants to choose from it is a great experience for anyone to head over for a day.
Watch the time! Don’t forget to keep an eye on the time, you don’t want to miss the last lift back to Zermatt at the end of the day… otherwise you’ll have a night in Italy or an expensive and long taxi ride back.
Ski into another country
Different atmosphere
South facing & in the sun
Great day out