First Tracks in Zermatt, Switzerland: December 2024

First Tracks of the Season in Zermatt
December 2024

Shhhh.... it's a secret!
Unlike most of the ski world, early December in Zermatt has
fantastic snow conditions. And the best part? No crowds.
Join Olympic Ski Coach Gary Miller on this bucket-list adventure.

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Iconic Destination...

Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, Zermatt is dominated by arguably the most famous hunk of rock in the world, the huge and graceful Matterhorn. This alpine wonderland is a special place – especially in early December. The days are shorter, the nights a little crisper, but there is plenty of snow on the runs and very few people to enjoy it. It's like a freeway with no cars!

World Class Coaching

Gary Miller, Olympic Alpine Ski Coach will be your host, coach, and guide for the week. His most famous athletes include Mikaela Shiffrin, Paula Moltzan, Tommy Moe, Bill Johnson, AJ Kitt and Doug Lewis. During the week, Gary will work with everyone, individually, to bring their ski technique up to a championship level. This personalized on-mountain coaching will make you a better skier for life!

A Secret Hideaway

Our home for the week is the charming Hotel Albatros, a 4-Star property located across the river from the town center, which creates a quiet and peaceful environment after a long day on the slopes. With impeccable service, a wonderful wellness-center and their sumptuous breakfast each day, we’re just close enough for all the action, but far enough away for some relaxation.

A Skier's Paradise

Zermatt is the "gold standard" for skiing and boarding in Europe. The skiing expanse is breathtaking – with over 3,500 acres spanning both Switzerland and Italy, featuring groomed runs nearly 10 miles long. There's nothing better than skiing down the backside of the Klein Matterhorn into Italy to enjoy fantastic pasta and wine. It makes the return trip even more fun!

The Alpine Lifestyle

Europe is a leader in healthy and stress-free living – from medicinal and therapeutic remedies to scientific development of natural products, to healthy nutrition. Alpin Luxe is excited to introduce you to their Alpine Lifestyle. This week of immersion in the European culture of wellness and peaceful living will refresh your connection to the natural world, & appreciation for life.

Beyond the Slopes

All our European experiences are special. This means we will arrange fabulous dinners throughout the week at Zermatt’s most famous restaurants, and an optional sightseeing Heli trip around the Matterhorn with a skier drop at the top of Zermatt (weather permitting). We will also provide Stockli ski rentals for the week. It's the perfect way to kick-start the winter season!

Skill Level

3 - 8
(beginner - advanced)

Learn more about our skill levels here.

The view down the backside of the Matterhorn into Italy is simply breathtaking!

Enjoy gourmet on-mountain lunches at mountain huts like this one, aptly named Paradise!

Trip Includes
Location
Hotel Amenities
Packing List

Included

7 nights lodging and breakfast at the luxurious Hotel Albatros.
Zermatt Ski Pass – 6 Days to ski (includes additional on-mountain insurance).
*Credit for IKON Pass holders, who will receive 7 days of skiing in Zermatt only (not Italy).*
Traditional Dinner of Swiss Lamb at Chez Heini.
Welcome reception at Hotel Albatros.
On-mountain coaching from Olympic Alpine Ski Coach, Gary Miller.
Stoeckli Skis and Poles for the week.
Skilebrity Gift Bag.

NOT INCLUDED:

Flight to Milano, Zurich or Geneva.
Lunches and most dinners.
Transportation to Zermatt.
Optional helicopter sightseeing trip around the Matterhorn including a skier drop at the top of Zermatt (Weather permitting).
Alcoholic beverages.
Ski clothing, helmet, gloves, goggles and ski boots.
Medical, evacuation and/or cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend every guest who books an Alpin Luxe trip take out Travel Insurance that includes evacuation and medical coverage. Please click here for more information on Travel Insurance..
*Must provide proof of Insurance*

Zermatt, Switzerland

As with most beautiful European resorts, travel is an adventure. The scenery is amazing, the roads are excellent and the trains are, well, like trains should be – comfortable and on-time.

By train: We recommend taking a train from the Zurich Airport to Zermatt which can take around 3.5 hours. If you want a quicker trip, there are faster trains that can shave off 30 minutes. You’ll usually find around 46 trains per day running on this route, which spans 170 km. You’ll have to make 1 change along the way on your journey to Zermatt.

By car: Guests arriving by car will need to park their vehicles in Täsch, the last town before Zermatt. There is a beautiful new parking structure and train station in Täsch. Once parked, load your luggage on the train to Zermatt and we’ll pick you up upon arrival. The Hotel Albatros is only a short carriage ride away.

Transfer point:	By car:	By train:
Geneva	2h45	3h45
Milan-Malpensa	2h45	3h45
Zurich	3h45	3h30

Albatros Hotel Amenities

ROOM AMENITIES

Safe
Hairdryer
Vanity Mirror
Telephone
Slippers
Bathrobe
Flat-Screen TV
Free WiFi
Minibar
Toiletries

Packing List

Base layers (wool is best for travel)
Ski socks (wool or compression)
Mid-layer (wool, down vest or fleece pullover)
High quality outerwear (Wool, Gore-Tex or similar)
Gloves or mittens
Helmet (recommended)
Warm headwear (for off-piste)
Goggles
Buff or face and neck protection
Ski or snowboard boots
Lodge clothing (comfy sweats)
Mountain casual apparel for dinners (jeans, sweaters)
Regular boots (mud or snow)
Bathing suit (sauna, spa, hot tub)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen and Chapstick
Basic toiletries

Travel Documents:

Airline Tickets
Passport

Optional:

Extra goggle lenses
Extra pair of gloves or mittens
GoPro or Camera

What Our Clients Say:

My trip to Zermatt with Alpin Luxe was everything I had hoped for and more. The accommodations were excellent, the group was delightful, and the experience of Zermatt was memorable. The ski coaching combination was a good fit, providing valuable big mountain experience and guidance while Gary provided instruction and perspective from the racing world that was precise and extensive. Both instructors were fun and professional. Definitely a trip worth taking.

Elaine Maronick

Big Sky, MT

I elected to join the Alpin Luxe ski trip to Zermatt Switzerland this past December 3-10, 2022 as a kick-off to the 2022- 2023 Ski Season. It was my first ski trip to Europe after years of Colorado ski trips. The trip was everything I had hoped for and more. Zermatt was a fabulous destination and did not fail to provide good early season snow. And the skiing over the border into Italy/Cervin was equally good, if not better. The boutique hotel accommodations were excellent and well located in Zermatt. Best of all were the great group dynamics fostered by the leadership and instruction. A great adventure, especially the Heli ride around the Matterhorn and then over into Italy!! Literally a breathtaking experience! Looking forward to joining the trip again for December 2023 for the first steps of next ski season.

Robert Messick

Sarasota, FL

The week in Zermatt was a fantastic time full of great skiing, good food, and very good wine! Getting to meet the rest of the group and the camaraderie that ensued was a wonderful experience. Skiers of any level will love this trip as the terrain is immense and varied for all level of skiers. I enjoyed Zermatt so much that I’ve told my family (non-skiers) that we need to go back in the summer just to experience Zermatt!

Joe Jacobson

Appleton, WI

I joined Gary Miller and Dan Egan for the Alpin Luxe trip to Zermatt in early December 2022. Zermatt had very skiable snow, and indeed the first days were spent skiing in falling snow. The coaches were great in their separate styles, and the group of skiers was extremely friendly (I was the only Brit among Americans). The hotel accommodation and buffet breakfasts were excellent. I would recommend the trip for anyone keen to warm up their ski muscles for the upcoming season.

Wright Nichols