A Day of Skiing Under the Matterhorn in Zermatt
This is the stuff dreams are made of.
Imagine waking up to a panoramic view of the Swiss Alps, with a fresh layer of snow coating the slopes. After a peaceful night’s sleep at the luxurious Hotel Albatros in Zermatt, you come downstairs for their farm to table breakfast. You peek out the window and see the majestic Matterhorn towering above this absolutely charming Swiss village.
Now that your engine is running, you gear up in your cozy ski clothes, and pack your boots, helmet, ski gloves, and goggles into a brand new Kayda Pack by Kulkea and head out the door for a casual 10-minute walk up to the Furi Bahn. No need for skis and poles as they have already been arranged and are stashed at the Hotel Albatros. At this point, we have two options: We can take a battery powered taxi to the Furi Bahn and head up to the Klein Matterhorn glacier or ride down to the Sunnegga Funicular for some warmup runs on the Gornergrat. So many options!
Skiing Under the Matterhorn
After a few warmup runs on the Furi Glacier, we again enter the Trockener Steg station for a ride on the ultra-modern Glacier Paradise Gondola to the top of the Klein Matterhorn. An engineering marvel at 3,883 meters (12,739 feet), the Klein Matterhorn is Europe’s highest mountain station. Above the station is an observation platform with a 360º panoramic view of 14 glaciers and 38 stunning peaks including: The Matterhorn, Breithorn, Schilthorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and even Mont Blanc in the distance! From this perch, we pause for a minute, take a breath, spin around 360° and witness some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere on earth!
Then we strap on our skis or boards and take off along the Klein Matterhorn glacier. We’ll enjoy a long, meandering groomed blue run down to the Testa Grigia lift station. Once again, we pause to take in the Vistas! Then comes the big choice: do we ski down the Swiss side or the Italian side? Decisions, decisions. If you’re happy staying in the Swiss, hang a right and enjoy a nice long, wonderful journey down into Zermatt. However, if you’re hungry and feel like a nice pasta, go left, and ski a long blue cruiser down into either Cervin or Valtourneche for some incredible Italian cuisine, a glass of wine and a homemade desert. And don’t worry… you can always try the other side tomorrow!
Skiing for all Skill Levels
Skiing any large resort surrounded by massive peaks for the first time can be overwhelming. Relax, you’ll be surprised to know that the Matterhorn Ski Paradise area has 200 km (120 mi.) of slopes, ranging from green, to blue, to black runs. My absolute favorite run is the Klein Matterhorn to Cervin: a 10 mile blue run that’s the ultimate cruiser. And, since you’re in Europe – the last run of the day should definitely include a stop for a “café fertig” (coffee with a shot of schnaps and smothered in whipped cream) at the last mountain hut into town.
Skiing with Legends
It’s not every day you get to ski with a Hall of Famer and an Olympic Alpin Ski Coach. This dynamic duo team up in Zermatt to give everyone an amazing experience. World-renowned free skier, pioneer of extreme sports and certified mountain guide, Dan Egan, has appeared in 13 Warren Miller ski films and was inducted into the US Skiing & Snowboarding Hall of Fame. Gary Miller is the “coach of champions” that includes Mikaela Shiffrin, Paula Moltzan, Tommy Moe, Bill Johnson, AJ Kitt and Doug Lewis.
A Relaxing Afternoon
Afternoons are almost as diverse as the skiing. A little chilled? Hop in the Hotel Albatros steam room or jacuzzi tub. Tired? Curl up with a book and take a nap. Curious? Walk downtown and experience the charm of Zermatt. It’s a car-free environment, which ensures the air is always clean and crisp. You can stroll through the quaint streets, admire the wooden houses, and pop in the local shops and boutiques to purchase souvenirs, Swiss chocolates, crepes, and vintage ski gear.
Magnificent Dinners
By evening we’re all a tad peckish from a day on the slopes. Zermatt has dozens of gourmet restaurants and bars catering to all palates and preferences. From traditional Swiss cuisine, such as fondue and raclette, to Asian fusion, to Italian and locally sourced meats like lamb and veal. Every dish is home-made, from local ingredients and of the highest quality. And the wine selections are incredible! The Sion Valley below Zermatt is considered one of the best wine regions in Europe. You can only enjoy it locally because they don’t export any of their wines.
We always cap off one special evening with a dinner at Chez Heini – an eclectic combination of cuisine, wine and art rolled into an amazing evening. Then, as with European custom, we stroll back to the Albatros under a stary sky, fully satisfied, while the Matterhorn stands guard – ensuring we can ski with her again tomorrow.
Discover Skiing in Zermatt with Us!
A day of skiing in Zermatt is an adventurous and rejuvenating experience. The breathtaking mountains, fresh air, and thrilling runs will leave you feeling revitalized and yearning for more. Pack your bags, grab your boots, and head straight to this mountain paradise for the adventure of a lifetime.
