Zermatt / Cervinia / Valtournenche
Zermatt, the village at the foot of the Matterhorn, probably the world's most famous mountain and the most photographed mountain in the world,is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
At 4,478 meters, the majestic Matterhorn – Cervino in Italian – looms over the breathtaking Alpine panorama. This Switzerland landmark is at the border of the western Swiss canton of Valais between Zermatt and the Italian ski resort of Breuil-Cervinia. Its symmetric pyramid shape, the cragged rocky tooth reaching the sky is a myth and emblem for alpinists, skiers and photographers alike.
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Zermatt is a car-free resort, private cars are allowed until Täsch (5 km from Zermatt). The road from Täsch to Zermatt is closed for public traffic. The Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch has 2,100 covered parking spaces. In Täsch people have to board the train or taxis which have the permission to use the road Täsch-Zermatt.
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Zermatt is a mountain village surrounded by an incredible landscape of mountains and glaciers. Almost one-third of the 4,000-metre mountains in the Alps are grouped around this word-famous health resort, which has been visited by mountaineers from all around the world since the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.
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The names of the 38 four thousand-meter peaks around Zermatt are well known between Alpinists and mountain lovers: Matterhorn, Allalinhorn, Monte Rosa, Weisshorn, Dom, Täschhorn, Breithorn, Dent Blanch, ... From the top of this peaks, the views of the highest mountains in Italy, France and Switzerland are breathtaking.
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Zermatt can be included in the selected group of the international destination resorts that attract skiers from all over the world. For them Zermatt epitomizes their image of Switzerland: high-alpine, awe-inspiring, and original.
Zermatt is a pioneer for sustainability. Zermatt has been certified as an “energy town” since 2016 and is committed to a sustainable energy policy. More than 80 percent of the village electricity comes from hydropower, which also provides 100 percent of the e-bus and electric cars fuel.
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Skiing in Zermatt is split up into four areas: Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee. There is also a connection to Cervinia and Valtournenche in Italy through the Plateau Rosa glacier.
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Zermatt’s ski region called “Matterhorn Glacier Paradise", one of the largest skiable domains in the world, offer 63 lifts and mountain railways. The ski area has a vertical drop of 2300 m and 360 km of ski runs. Zermatt is Europe's largest and highest lying summer skiing area.
At almost 4000 meters of altitude, Matterhorn Ski Paradise is the highest winter sports area in the Alps. With its guaranteed snow conditions, the region is one of the most modern and huge ski resorts anywhere in the world.
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We recommend you try the Matterhorn Ski Safari and you will never go down the same piste twice! and you’ll always have the Matterhorn in sight. There is a choice between the gold safari with 12,500 m and the silver safari with 10,500 m. Starting on Rothorn, the circuit continues via Riffelberg, the Theodul Glacier, Trockener Steg and Matterhorn glacier paradise (3,883 m), takes in Italy’s Breuil-Cervinia (2,050 m) and Testa Grigia (3‘480 m) and returns to Zermatt via Stafelalp in the evening.
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In Zermatt you can enjoy the longest ski run in the Alps and the world. A breathtaking run of 25 kilometers and an amazing 2263 meters drop in altitude from the cable car station of Matterhorn glacier paradise all the way down to Zermatt.
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A perfect day’s skiing should, of course, not be without its après-ski. And the Hennu Stall, is quite simply the Place. The Bar is located on the bottom section of the Furi-Zermatt slope, so is virtually impossible to spend a skiing holiday in Zermatt without getting to know Hennu Stall.
Zermatt has a whopping 21 km of summer skiing on its Theodul Glacier accessed by the Klein Matterhorn cable car. Zermatt is Switzerland’s only year-round ski resort and one of the two remaining glaciers in the Alps to open 365 days a year. The summer ski area is shared with Cervinia in Italy, so you can ski over the border for lunch. The 13 runs are divided into blues and reds. The Gravity Park features a half-pipe, kickers and rails and offers one of the best views of the Matterhorn. Numerous national ski teams train here in the summer. Anyone seeking the autograph of an international ski star has the best chances of success up at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Nearly all the world’s national ski teams train for the speed disciplines up on the glacier.
In November 2023, the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening, the first Downhill and cross-border race in the history of the Alpine Ski World Cup will take place in Zermatt-Cervinia. The race will be held on the "Gran Becca" course with the start located on Gobba di Rollin above Zermatt in Switzerland and the finish line in Laghi Cime Bianche above Cervinia in Italy. The event is the greatest novelty of the coming season and will inaugurate the speed season with four Downhill races.
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Zermatt is not a cheap place, but the quality and hospitality of the Zermatt hosts is guaranteed. Whether you want a luxurious 5-star hotel, a snug 4-star house, a cozy family hotel or a spacious apartment, there is a wide choice of accommodation in Zermatt, with something for all holidaymakers.
One of the main highlights of your stay will of course include the best selection of mountain restaurants. There is no greater pleasure after a long day of skiing than sitting down to enjoys a traditional raclette. But Zermatt offers much more than that. Twenty Zermatt
Restaurants have been included in the latest edition of the most popular Swiss restaurant guide, the Gault Millau Guide Switzerland 2022.
At 2130 meters in Findeln above Zermatt, "Chez Vrony" restaurant is synonymous with outstanding gastronomy on the slopes. Housed in an Alpine-chic wooden chalet with original stonework and a magnificent terrace overlooking the Matterhorn is one of the few restaurants still serving organic home produce from livestock raised solely on alpine grass. The dried beef, homemade sausage and alpine cheeses are based on traditional recipes, handed down over generations. Vrony Cotting-Julen is named as GaultMillau's "Host of the Year" 2022.
One more thing. If you are a Instagram addict HERE you will find a list of the best spots for perfect photo and share your perfect ski day photos using the hashtags #ILove💙Skiing #skiparadise #zermatt and #matterhorn on Instagram. Our favorites are pistes 11 and 7 in the Rothorn-Sunnega Ski Area, with the best views of the Matterhorn.
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