Famous as a mountaineering destination, Zermatt is situated in the canton of Valais, in Switzerland, being a small municipality, but with a well developed tourism. The ski resort of the Swiss Alps and the attractions nearby bring every year more than 2 million visitors.

People visit this place for many reasons like: interesting culture, luxurious hotels, mountain restaurants, traditional cuisine. There are so many things to do in Zermatt, but here are some tips and amazing activities for winter lovers, especially for winter sports amateurs.

The best period for winter activities is between November and May. The most popular sports and activities are mountain-climbing, skiing, snowboarding and ice skating, but also hiking and snowshoeing. For those who just want to relax and admire the wonderful frozen panoramas, they can choose to simply walk or to enjoy a great cable car tour.

1. The Matterhorn Mountain, the principal attraction from this area, is a real delight for day-trippers who love landscapes and photograph the surroundings. This can be a big challenge for the alpinists, that dream about climbing this mountain at least once in their lives. The most popular route for climbing is the Hörnligrat and it’s recommended only for experienced tourists, even if they are accompanied by a mountain guide.

2. For an unforgettable view, visit Gornergrat, a top destination in Switzerland since 1898. Tourists can arrive there by a 30 minutes ride through the open-air cog railway from Zermatt station to the peak of Gornergrat, at 3,089
m altitude. The short trip allows passengers to pass through tunnels, galleries and imposing forests, and at the destination, the best views are waiting for them: the Monte Rosa massif with Switzerland’s highest mountain peak, the Gorner Glacier and another 29 mountains above 4,000 m, including the Matterhorn in all its brilliance.

3. Returning to winter sports, it’s important to mention that Zermatt is the most complete ski resort in the world. The most popular ski areas are Rothorn and Stockhorn. The first descends from 3,103 meters and the second from 3,400 meters and only 23% of the runways are for beginners.

4. There are also two snowboard parks for those who go there to enjoy this sport, at Blauherd and Trockner Steg. The sites are very well arranged and endowed with expensive luxurious restaurants. Even so, it would be a pity not to eat at least once in one of those places.

5. Another journey to remember is with Glacier Express, that leads from Brig to Täsch and on to Zermatt. The whole 44 km tour lasts for 80 minutes and it’s an unique chance to see stunning panoramas of Monte Rosa with its small villages and chalets at the base. There couldn’t be a better way to relax and enjoy your vacation!

Chalets are a good option when looking for accommodation in Zermatt. You can check accommodation prices and availability on TripEconomy to make your journey a memorable winter experience.