Zermatt
Zermatt is at the foot of the Matterhorn, and is simply a must for any traveller to Switzerland. Reached only by a train that winds its way around mountains and over gorges with breath-taking scenery, Zermatt is car-free. Upon spotting the Matterhorn, you will be impressived by its beauty.

Despite its status as a world-class resort, Zermatt has not lost its authenticity as a Swiss mountain village. Chalets, old half-timbered houses and cabins, restaurants and shops all line the streets with geraniums spilling out of window boxes in the summer. In winter, the snow is clean and white and the sun shines bright. Sleighs jingle through the streets. Skiers are in paradise, with gondolas and cable cars to peaks and glaciers from which the fabulous descents are as long as 8 miles. Mountain top chalet restaurants and rugged cabins make great après-ski stops, and happy groups often ski down the last stretches to town by moonlight.

Besides the fabulous skiing, including glacier skiing in summer and extensive off-trail terrain and powder skiing, there are indoor tennis and squash courts, pools and gyms, and of course shopping. During the summer, the mountaineering and hiking opportunities in Zermatt are probably the best in the world. There are 249 miles of marked footpaths through varying terrain for short, easy walks in the valley or steep hikes to the surrounding peaks of Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Rothorn and the famous Matterhorn.

For some magical vistas of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks, take the popular cogwheel railway to Gornergrat. It's easy to get around Zermatt on foot (the town is car-free) and it is well worth exploring the Hinter Dorf area, which is crammed with older traditional wooden Valais homes. Zermatt provides for a unique nature experience! Visitors can discover mountains, glaciers, larch forests, flowers, mountain lakes, and game animals. The town is a paradise for skiers, with snow guaranteed even in summer. Zermatt's wind-protected southern location is home to three skiing areas that experience superb snow conditions and the longest skiing season in the Alps. Four summits are accessible by mountain railways. Zermatt is excellent for family vacations!

Mountain Excursions
Gornergrat Mountain (3089m/10135ft.)
The Gornergrat (3,089 m) is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. The glorious panoramic views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains are unforgettable. With its sunny observation platform accessible all year, the Gornergrat has been one of Switzerland’s top excursion destinations since 1898. The Gornergrat Bahn was the world’s first fully electric cog railway. Today it is a modern, eco-friendly railway, equipped with a regenerative braking system which generates electricity on the descent and therefore saves energy. The ride takes 33 minutes and requires a vertical climb of 1,469 m. The journey leads over dramatic bridges, through galleries and tunnels, across forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, and past rocky ravines and mountain lakes. The view is among the finest in the world. Included in the panorama are views of the Monte Rosa mountain range which includes Switzerland’s highest peak (Dufourspitze - 4634m); the second-largest glacier in the Alps, the Gorner Glacier, and a total of 29 mountains above 4000m, including, of course, the Matterhorn in all its glory. Tourists will find shops, 2 restaurants, a large sun terrace, a panoramic viewing platform at the peak of Gornergrat. 

Matterhorn glacier paradise (3883m/2740 ft.)
The highest cable car station in Europe, with its new restaurant, sets fresh standards in sustainable development. The views of the highest mountains in Italy, France, and Switzerland are breathtaking. The ski area on the Theodul Glacier is open 365 days a year. Mont Blanc (4810m) in France, the highest mountain in the Alps, towers above its neighbours; the summit of the Gran Paradiso (4061m), Italy’s highest peak, is often also visible. There are no walking opportunities on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise unless for mountaineers accompanied by mountain guides set off to scale the Breithorn (4164 m), a 2.5-hour climb up the perennial snows.

Sunnegga (2288m/7506ft.)
Sunnegga is heaven for families. In summer, the Leisee lake offers a refreshing dip. In winter, skiers of all ages can learn the sport at Wolli’s park for beginners. The funicular ride from the valley station in Zermatt to Sunnegga takes just 3 minutes. In summer, families adore coming up to the crystal-clear waters of the Leisee. This is the top spot for an outdoor swim in Zermatt, complete with children’s playground and barbecue areas. Visitors will find a self-service restaurant, a sunny terrace, and a mountain panorama with view of the Matterhorn. Sunnegga is also the starting point for many hikes, kickbike descents and mountain bike trails. At Sunnegga, walkers will find restaurants (some gourmet) and sunny terraces.

Rothorn Paradise (3103m/10181ft.)
The view from the Rothorn showcases the highest peaks of the Valais Alps. In summer, the Rothorn is the popular starting point for a variety of demanding hikes. In winter, the Rothorn is the gateway to beautiful sunny ski trails. From Sunnegga, the cable car carries visitors to the summit of the Rothorn – or specifically, the Unterrothorn. In summer, this is the starting point for challenging hikes and a popular destination for sunrise excursions. In winter, the summit station offers direct access to the ski pistes.

Other Activities
Hiking around Zermatt
Zermatt is the ideal destination for hiking vacations in the Alps with a network of over 400 km (249 miles) of beautiful hiking trails. For an enjoyable outing, take a chairlift, gondola, or cable car up to one of the surrounding mountain peaks and enjoy the view of the highest mountain range in the Alps. Hiking trails in this area stretch all the way up to 3,100 m. Along the way are ibex, mountain goats, edelweiss, gentian, and alpine roses.

The new Matterhorn Museum
Zermatt can now claim one more major attraction: the new Matterhorn Museum which illustrates the exciting story of the famous mountain - from its origins in Africa to the story of the dramatic first ascent to the present day. However, it also tells the story of Zermatt, the small farming village that became an internationally famous health resort.

Paragliding
For once, feel like a bird and experience Zermatt and the landscape from another perspective. Two flying schools offer this experience with their tandem flights. They also give courses for the more daring.

One Day Snow Experience (winter only)
Enjoy discovering the mountains and make your first turns with your own ski guide on the ski pistes. This is a ski day which will remain an unforgettable memory for you. And such an outing also means that a Zermatt ski guide will get you started in pleasures of skiing or snowboarding. Included in the package: snow-sports guide, entire equipment rental, ski pass (Wolli-Pass). The activity lasts 3.5 hours including 2.5 hours of private instruction in the Wolli Park for beginners near Leisee (2232 m) with a direct view of the mighty Matterhorn. Price reductions are available for two or more people. From 26 November 2016 to 23 April 2017.

Restaurants
Cervo - Special all around (Hotel Cervo - 027 968 12 12)
Schäferstube - Traditional, creative (Romantik Hotel Julen - 027 966 76 05)
Alex Grill - Meat specialties (Hotel Alex - 027 966 70 70)
Chez Heini - Lamb and Live Entertainment (Wiesti - 027 967 16 30)
National - Kid friendly (Hotel National - 027 967 59 07)
Pöschtli - 4 restaurants (Hotel Post - 027 967 19 31)