My Guide to Zermatt

Zermatt is a car-free zone, so if you plan to arrive by car then you will need to park in the nearby town of Täsch and take the train : it's a 12-minute ride, that departs every 20 minutes. There are several parking lots in Täsch, including at the Matterhorn train terminal itself (you can also reserve your parking space in advance). For more details: https://www.zermatt.ch/en/arrival/Arrival-by-car https://www.zermatt.ch/en/arrival/Arrival-by-train

From our home base in the heart of town you can walk just about anywhere! But if you need help getting around, electronic taxis are available at the train station, or at any time by calling one of the local companies: E-Taxi Christophe (+41 27 967 23 23) or Taxi 24 (+41 27 967 15 15).

There are two E-bus lines in Zermatt (red and green), and both have a main stop directly in front of the central train station ('Bahnhof'), which is a 2-3 minute walk from the apartment. Both lines take you to the Sunnegga/Rothorn station (funicular). The green line takes you to the departure point for the Glacier Paradise (cable car). The red line takes you to the Winkelmatten neighborhood. For detailed information and timetables, check out: https://www.zermatt.ch/en/arrival/Getting-around-the-village/Bushaltestellen/Bus-stops

Whether you prefer skiing, hiking, mountain-dining, or just enjoying views of the Matterhorn, you can purchase 1- or multi-day passes online, or directly from the ticket counters located at the lifts. The earlier you book and the more days in a row you reserve, the more you save. Flexi-passes are less economical than purchasing several days in a row. Check out the website for open peaks & lifts, excursion ideas, and more! https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en

Children under 9 years old can enjoy free train / ski passes with the Wolli Card, which can be ordered in advance and picked up at the tourist information center located next to the train station. https://www.zermatt.ch/en/wollicard

https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/Information/Tickets-prices/Ski-passes-winter

The best spots tend to fill up quickly, especially during the high season, so make your lunch and dinner reservations in advance.

There are several hotels in Zermatt that allow non-guests to use their spas and pools for a fee. Some recommendations: - PARK HOTEL BEAU SITE: visitors who book a spa treatment have access to the indoor pool / jacuzzi area - MONT CERVIN PALACE: open for non-guests in the morning - GINABELLE: newly renovated wellness center with outdoor pool *Check the hotels for their current pricing and individual policies (including any COVID restrictions in place).

No trip to Zermatt would be complete without "après ski" (i.e. p. Favorite spots include: - MAMA'S BAR: for cocktails (and fabulous non-alcoholic ones), vin chaud (mulled wine / gluhwein), and my daughter's favorite hot chocolate complete with mini marshmallows and whipped cream - ELSIE'S BAR: to discover Swiss wines - CERVO: for a trendy outdoor restaurant and lounge area - EDWARDS: classic hotel atmosphere, with wooden panels and plaid decor And more: - Harry’s Ski Bar - Snowboat - Papperla Pub (live music) - Hennu Stall (lively crowd)

Head up to Glacier Paradise, Gornergrat, or Sunnegga for a day on the slopes, or even just to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn.

The 5 Lakes Walk offers amazing views of five mountain lakes. Take the Sunnegga funicular and cable car to Blauherd (2571 m) and follow the trail signs. The full hike takes about 2.5 hours, and is relatively easy. Stop for lunch in Findeln - both Chez Vrony and Adler Hitta have amazing Matterhorn views, truly good food & a fun vibe. After lunch, walk back up to the Sunnegga funicular, or hike down to Zermatt (approx. 1 hour). Other walks are to Blatten and Zum See (40 min) or Furi (1 hour) – where there are also a few good spots for lunch with a view.

Check the board out front for the showtimes of current blockbusters, and a selection of kid-friendly choices depending on the time and day.

If a Swiss watch is outside of your budget, don't fret. Across from the St. Mauritius catholic church is a wonderful store that sells all sorts of mountain-inspired goods – from the natural Puralpina herbal “Marmot” creams, and bags and other accessories made from Swiss army blankets, to fondue-forks made from mountain goat horns and the best apricot liqueur we’ve ever had (URS Hecht).

The Bergführerbrot (mountain-guide bread) contains fresh apples, figs, and apparently a little Schnapps. I've heard that this bread was meant to give a boost of energy to people headed into the mountains for the day. I recommend it with a bit of soft cheese, like St. André (available at the Migros). *NOTE: Fuchs has multiple locations throughout Zermatt. The closest to the apartment is at Bahnhofstrasse 28.

This high ropes course has multiple paths that are suitable for adults and kids alike. https://www.zermatt-fun.com

In the heart of Zermatt, you will find a dedicated sport and leisure area, which offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, year-round. In the winter, the open-air ice skating rink is filled with figure skaters and hockey players alike. In the spring, the rink becomes the outdoor stage for the annual Unplugged Music Festival (a must!). In the summer, the rink is converted into tennis courts, with beach volleyball areas nearby. There is also a great kids playground, with a casual restaurant right next door, offering parents a view of the Matterhorn, while the kids are playing.

The Kirchbrücke bridge offers visits a great (free) location to photograph the Matterhorn at any time of day or night.

In the winter, skilled skiers can buy a special pass that allows you to ski into Italy and enjoy the view of the Matterhorn from a different angle. (*Hint: it's backwards). Stop for lunch at Chalet Etoile or Love for simple but simply amazing Italian dishes like rigatoni gorgonzola or pasta with zucchini and bacon. Make sure you check the lift schedule to get back into Switzerland.

One of the most famous peaks in the world, the Matterhorn changes its name depending on which of the official Swiss languages is spoken: "Matterhorn" in German becomes "Le Cervin" in French and "Cervino" in Italian.

Check out the Zermatt visitors page for tips and trails, bike rentals and services (https://www.zermatt.ch/en/bike)

I've used the Check Yeti website for individual and group lessons, and to get myself familiar with the different slopes.

The butcher Matterhorn Fleisch is a personal favorite for their locally made viande sechée (dried beef) and their delicious saucisson balls with truffles and parmesan. In addition to excellent meats, they also have a selection of cheese for fondue and raclette. Tel. +41.27.967.39.33; Hofmattstrasse 14.

On and around the main Bahnhofstrasse street there are a few places you can visit for a snack or small bite to eat: **METZGEREI BAYARD: this butcher sets up stand for take-away sausages, bratwurst, and drinks in the afternoon. **FUCHS: breads, pastries, and savory / sweet snacks, like cookies in the shape of Wolli and Matterhorn-shaped chocolates (Kleinmatterhörnli). **SOUPI: a take-away soup bar. **STEFANI'S CREPERIE: for sweet and savory crepes. **LE PETIT ROYAL: for coffee, tea, and other treats in a cozy two-story café. Ice cream available in the summer.

You might be surprised to know that Switzerland produces over 145 million bottles (750 ml) of wine per year, but only exports around 1% of its wines. So that means you're in a great spot to try something unique. Some typical wines from the Valais / Wallis region: -- WHITE: Petite Arvine, Johannisberg, Heida, Fendant -- RED: Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Syrah, Amigne Personally, I'm a fan of the Swiss red blends ("assemblages").

Wander back in time through the narrow, winding alleys of the "Old Village" of Zermatt, where you will find barns, stores, stables and old houses that were built between the 16-18th centuries.

... check out the Zermatt website: https://www.zermatt.ch/en/Media/Planning-hikes-tours

It's essential year round. (But if you forget it, you can always buy some in town).