Zermatt, Switzerland

An independent review from Scott Leach

General Information

Zermatt has a well-deserved international reputation for being one of the top three skiing destinations in Europe. Skiers in the know generally agree that Zermatt is a must for all serious skiers. Why?

For starters, all three skiing mountains here are above 10,200 feet (3,100 meters) and are accessible not by the average ski lift, but numerous trams and gondolas. Plus, some trails stretch for over seven miles. And it's hard to find a ski area that has a longer season - you can ski here all year long. Other ski connoisseurs like the fact that there are no gasoline-powered cars in the tiny village. Or maybe it’s the tiny village (population 5,500) and its traditional Swiss architecture that’s so attractive to vacationing skiers.

The beautiful scenery doesn't detract from Zermatt's popularity either. 28 mountains, including the famous and spectacular Matterhorn, stretching as high as 13,100 feet (4,000 meters), surround Zermatt. Even more impressive is the fact that these are the highest peaks in the Alps.

The list of unforgettable things about this ski resort goes on and on. The facts are that Zermatt holds within its marked trails more skiable terrain then many places in Europe and almost anywhere in the United States. Approximately 90 percent of this terrain is above the tree line, and for the most part it caters to intermediate and expert skiers.

The village, located directly at the base of the lifts, consists of one main street called the Bahnhofstrasse. Here and on the side streets coming off of it, there are over 100 restaurants and dozens of bars and clubs. The après skiing scene is close to being the most famous aspect of the entire resort.

The combination of all these factors leaves Zermatt burned into the memory of anyone who comes here. Unfortunately, it comes at a high price, even for Swiss standards. Despite the cost, almost everyone who visits Zermatt leaves with an experience that is truly unforgettable.

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