Zermatt Switzerland

Zermatt is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants ...

Zermatt is the highest and largest all-round ski area in the world. Guaranteed snow 365 days of the year and boasting over 350km of piste in winter, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cableway and summer station in Europe (3,883m above sea level).

The "Horu", as the locals like to call it, has many names in many languages, but one thing is universal among all: Its majestic shape. This emblematic Swiss mountain towers 4,478 m/14,692 ft above sea and is extremely difficult to climb.

Some quick facts about the Matterhorn:

It is the tenth highest mountain in Switzerland, and one of 48 Swiss peaks above 4000 m in height.

The four faces of the Matterhorn face the four cardinal directions - north, east, south, and west.

Over 500 people have died climbing the mountain since 1865, many on the descent. Deaths due to falls, inexperience, bad judgement, bad weather and falling rocks average now about 12 annually.

The mountain is quite crowded during high season with up to 3000 climbers annually. The newly renovated Hörnlihütte is smaller in capacity, which is expected to reduce the number of climbers.

The image of the Matterhorn first appeared on Toblerone chocolate bars in 1960. Before it, the packaging featured an eagle.

Look closely and you will notice a bear hidden in the side of the mountain. It is a tribute to Theodor Tobler who first invented the chocolate bar in Bern.

A train from Zermatt to Gornergrat

An excursion to Gornergrat is a must. From here, you can gape at 29 four thousand-metre peaks – a record in the Alpine region. In the mountaineers’ cemetery next to the church, you can also see that mountains can take their toll on humans. Those who want to immerse themselves in the rich variety of the world of Zermatt will come under the spell of the most impressive mountain world anywhere.

Gornergrat

The Gornergrat (3,089 m) is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. The mountain panorama and the glorious view of the Matterhorn are unforgettable.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Welcome to Switzerland’s highest ski resort. Skiing enthusiasts from all over the world congregate in Zermatt. Guests come to experience perfect skiing with miles of pistes, fantastic slopes, sun and snow.

Transportation

Most visitors reach Zermatt by the rack assisted railway train from the nearby town of Täsch (Zermatt shuttle). Trains also depart for Zermatt from farther down the valley at Visp and Brig, which are on the main Swiss rail network. The town also has a heliport(ICAO: LSEZ) and a local helicopter operator, Air Zermatt, which also provides alpine rescue services.

To prevent air pollution that could obscure the town's view of the Matterhorn, the entire town is a combustion-engine car-free zone. Almost all vehicles in Zermatt are battery driven and almost completely silent. Electric vehicles are allowed for local commerces. The Cantonal police can issue a permit which allows residents to drive and park at the northern outskirts and for the permission to be bring combustion engine vehicles in to the town such as construction vehicles. Emergency and municipal vehicles, (fire trucks, ambulances, police etc.) generally use combustion engines, although even some of these are non-combustion, (garbage trucks, etc.).