Matterhorn Ski Paradise

Firstly, there’s the village, cherished for its authenticity and serenity, the absence of cars, and the high quality of its facilities. There’s the iconic Matterhorn, which reigns over this corner of the valley like a queen, surrounded by the largest concentration of high summits in the Alps: no fewer than 38 different peaks here reach over 4,000 m.

Then, there’s the Matterhorn ski paradise: 147 slopes for all levels that crisscross 360 kms between Switzerland and Italy, three quarters of which are on glaciers or are equipped with snow cannons in case of light snow (rare at this altitude!). It’s difficult to experience it all in a day, so one must choose: sections of Rothorn or Gornergrat, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise that gives access to the Theodul Glacier (where you can even ski in the summer!), or perhaps the sun-kissed, southern-facing Italian slopes near Breuil-Cervinia or Valtournenche… Either way, the domain boasts 21% blue level slopes, 61% red, and 18% black and yellow, along with an excellent snowpark and Wolli Park in Sunnegga for the kids (complete with a magic carpet).

It also matters how you get there. Zermatt is known for its very modern, high-class infrastructure (where one rarely has to wait in line). Take the panoramic T3 cable car for example, which connects Trockener Steg (2,939 m) and the Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m) quickly and smoothly, thanks to engineering that requires only three support pillars. The line was further extended in 2023 with the trans-border Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, which connects the village of Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia, without you having to step in the snow even once! Yet while Zermatt clearly embraces new technology, it also remains true to its origins as evidenced by the Gornergrat cog train, inaugurated in 1898 and still running strong today. The ride offers 33 minutes of joy with non-stop views of the Matterhorn and the long, frozen Gorner Glacier — the second longest glacier in the country at 12 km. So Swiss.

And of course, there’s the legendary ski runs. First up is the run connecting Klein Matterhorn to the heart of Zermatt: 25 km of non-stop skiing, 2,263 m of altitude change, and an exceptional Matterhorn vista. On the other side, the Reine Blanche hurtles towards Valtournenche over nearly 20 km. For the more experienced, the Pista Nera del Cervino (n°59), aka The Wall, at the base of the southern mountain face offers intense thrills with passages at 65°. More interested in the scenery? Try Rothorn-Sunnegga (n°11 & 7), Tufternkumme (n°15), or the Hirli area (n°52 & 54), which all offer breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Another more accessible highlight is the “First Track” pass between Trockener Steg and Furi, offered all season on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:40, before the slopes open to the public. It’s the best way to feel like you have the mountains all to yourself.

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