The Ski Resort
Zermatt is world famous, situated under the Matterhorn, here at Chalet Ski we believe that there are few, if any, luxury ski resorts that come close to rivaling Zermatt for exclusivity, sophistication and the total luxury package.
Set with the perfect backdrop of the Matterhorn, step aside Courchevel, Val d Isere, St Morritz, et al, Zermatt is the ski resort that in our view is number one for luxury. This is the resort to be seen but not seen! Its pedestrian streets (no cars are allowed - only electric taxis and horse drawn sleighs) will be adorned by many a Count, celebrity, or billionaire, but here in Zermatt you will not even know they are there. In Zermatt visitors are so wealthy and sophisticated, they certainly do not need to make scene and tell anyone about it.
Zermatt, being traffic free is both classy and pretty whether daytime or evenings. Its streets are littered with high quality restaurants and bars, and for the boutique shoppers amongst your party, there are numerous outlets to indulge one self a day or three during the week.
In terms of the skiing, Zermatt boasts the highest ski lift in Europe and the resort is ideal for intermediates and experts in particular. On piste it is an intermediates dream with wide, well groomed slopes. For beginners it is not quite as good but huge efforts by the lift operators in Zermatt have improved the terrain and access.
Experts, simarly to Chamonix, Couchevel (Three Valleys), St Anton, Val d Isere (Espace Killy) and Verbier, this is a must visit ski resort. There are not a great deal of blacks as Zermatt instead uses predominantly an itinerary system which here at Chalet Ski we prefer. Off-piste away from any marked runs and Zermatt goes up a level once again (see off-piste below)
Worth Knowing
Zermatt is a car free luxury ski resort which adds to the charm and quality of your ski holiday. You can however travel by an electric taxi when in the resort if you prefer but it is not a terribly large ski resort and access therefore by foot is convenient and charming, particularly as it is traffic free except for the occasional electric taxis and horse drawn sleighs.
Being car free, visitors typically arrive at Tasch which is about 5km from Zermatt. Here you can park cars and then travel by train to Zermatt for a small cost.
The Matterhorn for which Zermatt is most famous towers 4,478m high. It is a favourite for climbers in the summer who climb the Matterhorn with just a rope between the lead and the second climber. The climb must be completed in one day and there is not enough time to secure and set up a belay on each section. It is therefore only climbed by experienced and fit climbers.