The AlpsThe Matterhorn view, car-free village, top-tier everything

Zermatt

The most iconic ski resort on Earth — priced accordingly

Zermatt is car-free, spans a border (ski to Italy for lunch), has the highest lift-served terrain in the Alps (3,899m), and the Matterhorn as the backdrop of every photo. It's expensive but unlike anywhere. Combine 3 days Zermatt with 4 days Cervinia and you halve the accommodation cost.

Altitude

1,620 – 3,899 m

Pistes

360 km including cross-border to Cervinia (Italy)

Season

Year-round on glacier; main season November – April

6-day lift pass

CHF 495 (6 days incl. Cervinia adult) — ≈ €530

Accommodation

CHF 150–350/night midweek

Best for

All levels · Foodies · Icon-chasers

Why go

Ski across into Cervinia (Italy) for €25 pasta lunches
Year-round glacier skiing at Klein Matterhorn (3,883m)
Car-free village — you arrive by cog railway from Täsch
150+ marked km + world's best mountain restaurants

Getting there

Fly Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA). Direct trains to Zermatt — 3.5h from Zurich. Or drive to Täsch and cog up.

Après-ski

Hennu Stall (on-mountain), Papperla Pub, Vernissage (all in the village)

Non-negotiable for a ski week

Snowsports travel insurance

Standard travel policies exclude skiing. Add the winter-sports rider or a dedicated policy — a mountain rescue can be €10,000+ out of pocket.

The honest downside

Prices are brutal — a beer is CHF 9 and pasta CHF 30. Sleep in Cervinia (Italy side) 2 nights to cut costs 40%.

Other resorts worth a look

Aviasales, Kiwitaxi, Airalo and EKTA links are affiliate — we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Info reviewed for the 2025/26 season.