The Ski Resort
Luxury and Zermatt go hand in hand. But what makes Zermatt stand out as probably the most exclusive of the luxury ski resorts, is that Zermatt carries it off with class, sophistication and style that some of the other ski resorts have now long since forgotten. Zermatt is the place the royalty and counts frequent but are not seen and being overtly ostentatious is definitely frowned upon. Yes, some of this luxury ski resort visitors want to impress, but it is done in such an understated way in comparison for example to Courchevel or Val d Isere. I guess the word we would use at Luury Chalets is refined.
Zermatt is of course traffic free and this just adds to the luxury and tranquillity of this exclusive ski resort. In the evenings just walk down the beautiful streets and just listen to the soft sounds of its exclusive visitors relaxing and revelling in its atmosphere. All around you take in the beautiful wood fronted boutique shops and the stylish glitz, before sampling one of the many Zermatt high quality restaurants and bars.
But Zermatt is quite rightly famous for its skiing too. It has the highest ski lift in Europe and being linked with Cervinia in Italy it has some great ski pistes and the chance to ski Switzerland and Italy in the same day. Most of slopes are great for intermediates with the off-piste itinerary runs great for advanced skiers. The blue and red runs are nearly always perfectly groomed and perfect for intermediate cruising. For beginners however it is not quite as good but the ski resort lift operators in Zermatt have improved the access and options recently.
Zermatt for advanced skiers prefers to use an itinerary system rather than blacks which is un-pisted in bound skiing. You will find black runs, but just not too many of them as a result. If you think the on-piste however is good, the off-piste backcountry terrain is out of this world and the main reason this resort alwaya rates in peoples top 5 luxury ski resorts in Europe. br/>
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.
Off Piste Skiing
Many experts skiers in Zermatt will be seen heading for the Stockhorn area but this is glacier terrain so do so with care and ideally with a Mountain Guide. Rothorn offers some steep off-piste descents and for tree line descents head to Furgg when snow conditions are good.
Ski School
ES (European Snowsport) are popular or for a new British ski school why not try Summit. There are numerous other schools too. Stoked are a well regarded Swiss ski and snowboard school as are the Ski an Snowboard School Zermatt.
Snow Boarding
The piste are always well groomed and therefore great for intermediates, but where Zermatt comes alive is the off-piste with some great powder and steep descents.