Fantastic Food, shops, atmosphere, scenery and snow
Disadvantages:
Nothing compared to the advantages
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
“Zermatt is a place all skiers must go to before they die” Well, the guide books that state that are spot on. It’s that time of year again, when keen skiers & boarders start to think about their next winter holiday, and where it should be this year. Well, if you haven’t tried Zermatt, Switzerland, then this resort should be near the top of your list. It’s simply excellent. I have been there several times, and love it. There’s a charm, a magic that runs through the lively and attractive village. The lifts are fast and efficient and the runs which take you through stunning scenery, seem to always be in excellent condition. Zermatts height affords the resort a fantastic snow record with skiing from early on in the season till mid April. The resort has three main mountains. Rothorn, Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn. All three offer fantastic skiing but be warned, often very different climates. Rothorn and Gornergrat are usually in full sun, where as Klein Matterhorn is higher up, with many of the runs in shade. This means that on an average January day, Klein may be –20c up top while Rothorn and Gornergrat are at only –2c. Bare this in mind too, in times of poor snow, where Klein Matterhorn will invariably have the best conditions. For the most adventurous, and for an extra cost, you can ski into Italy. The skiing is good but there is more than enough to keep you entertained in Zermatt, if you’re only staying for a week. If you do decide to go for it, passes for Cervinia (the Italian resort) can be purchased in Zermatt, at the lift stations. Do watch the times while your skiing. It is far from unknown for skiers to miss the last lift up and be stuck in Italy overnight. Zermatts biggest downfall is the fact that it is a little sprawled out. If you’re not a fan of walking in ski boots, choose your accommodations location carefully. Unfortunately, Klein is not linked to the other two mountains by lift. This means that if you want to ski all three mountains - which you will want to – you will have to do some walking or take one of the crowded buses at some stage. While a little inconvenient, this really seems only a minor problem, when confronted with Zermatts many good points. The transfer from Geneva airport to Zermatt can be done completely by train, or more commonly by bus to the village of Tasch, and then on by train. The journey takes roughly three hours to Tasch by bus, and then it’s only a ten-minute train journey to the centre of car-free Zermatt. For a shorter transfer, fly to Sion, only one hour away from resort. Facilities in Zermatt include a snowpark on Klein Matterhorn for youngsters and a halfpipe for snowboarders on Gornergrat. Zermatt does have a reputation for being expensive. However, if you want to cut costs, remember the general rule, the higher up each mountain restaurant is, the more expensive it is. To make a big saving, buy your lunch from the village Supermarket, and then take it up the mountain with you in a backpack. There is also a very reasonably priced Youth Hostel in the village for those who are keen to save on accommodation. For further information, or to view the weather conditions and the majestic Matterhorn, which of course towers above Zermatt, on the live webcams, there is a good website at zermatt.ch
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