How big is Zermatt?
Zermatt has 360 trails served by 53 lifts — 2nd for trails of the 34 resorts we track in Switzerland. On lifts it ranks 6th of the 34.
Zermatt resort guide
Valais, Switzerland
Home to the Matterhorn and year-round skiing
Zermatt at a glance
360
Trails
53
Lifts
12,792ft
Top
5,315ft
Base
7,477ft
Vertical
MXP
Nearest airport, 54 mi
20% beginner35% intermediate45% advanced
Zermatt offers world-class skiing with stunning views of the Matterhorn and glacier skiing throughout the year.
Your questions about Zermatt, answered
How high is Zermatt?
The lifts run from 5,315ft at the base to 12,792ft at the top, a vertical of 7,477ft. Of the 34 resorts we track in Switzerland, that is the highest, with the biggest vertical.
Is Zermatt good for beginners or experts?
The trails at Zermatt split 20% beginner, 35% intermediate and 45% advanced, against an average of 30% beginner and 29% advanced across the resorts we track in Switzerland.
On those numbers it suits confident skiers and riders looking for steep terrain.
For backcountry and off-piste, our guide documents 2 zones at Zermatt, with the lift to take and the avalanche risk for each.
When is the ski season at Zermatt?
Zermatt is measured on glaciated ground where the modelled snow never melts out, so cover is not the limit on the season; lift opening dates are.
March is the best all-round month on the record, with 32in of new snow and 4.0 bluebird days on average.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Zermatt?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Milan Malpensa (MXP), Italy, 54 mi away in a straight line. Lugano (LUG) is 56 mi, Turin (TRN), Italy is 57 mi. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift ticket at Zermatt?
A 6-day adult Matterhorn Ski Paradise (Zermatt) costs CHF 415 for 2026/27, or CHF 69 a day. For value it ranks 2nd of the 34 resorts we price in Switzerland.
Full lift ticket prices and history →Airports near Zermatt
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- Milan MalpensaMXP54 mi · major airport
- LuganoLUG56 mi
- TurinTRN57 mi · major airport
Travel time to Zermatt
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Milan Malpensa (MXP)Quickest
- Flight
- 8h 35m · 3,985 mi
- Ground transfer
- 1h 50m · 73 mi
- Total
- ≈ 10h 25m
- Fly to Lugano (LUG)
- Flight
- 8h 35m · 3,981 mi
- Ground transfer
- 1h 50m · 76 mi
- Total
- ≈ 12h 55m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Turin (TRN)
- Flight
- 8h 30m · 3,951 mi
- Ground transfer
- 1h 55m · 76 mi
- Total
- ≈ 12h 55m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, ground transfers at an average 40 mph. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Zermatt lift ticket 2026/27
CHF 4156-day adult Matterhorn Ski Paradise (Zermatt) · ≈$503
CHF 69 per day · 4.9 km of trails per € · #2 of 34 for value in Switzerland
Dynamic pricing — from CHF 384 on quiet dates
87value scoreOutstanding value
Zermatt trail map 2025/26
2025/26 seasonThe official Zermatt trail map, published by Zermatt Bergbahnen. This map covers Zermatt and Cervinia (Matterhorn Ski Paradise). It shows every run, lift and sector across 360 trails served by 53 lifts, from 5,315ft at the base to 12,792ft at the summit.
Always check the resort's live trail status before setting off. Runs shown on a map are not necessarily open, and backcountry terrain is never patrolled unless the map says so.
Why go to Zermatt
- Iconic Matterhorn views
- Year-round skiing on glacier
- Car-free village atmosphere
- Excellent high-altitude skiing
- World-class mountain restaurants
- Extensive lift network
Things to know
- Very expensive
- Can be crowded
- Weather dependent for lower slopes
- Limited beginner terrain
- Expensive transfers from airport
- Can be foggy in winter
Skiing and snowboarding Zermatt by ability level
Beginners
Zermatt has limited beginner terrain but offers excellent ski schools and gentle slopes in the village area. The resort is better suited for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Intermediates
Perfect for intermediate skiers! Zermatt offers extensive intermediate terrain with well-groomed pistes and modern lifts. The views of the Matterhorn make skiing here unforgettable.
Advanced
Advanced skiers will love Zermatt! The resort offers challenging terrain, excellent off-piste opportunities, and access to some of the most spectacular high-altitude skiing in the Alps.
Our take on Zermatt
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Luxury
Facilities
Official resort website: zermatt.ch
More on Zermatt
- Zermatt snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Zermatt snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Zermatt lift ticket pricesDay and multi-day ticket prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Zermatt backcountry & off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- Ski resorts in SwitzerlandLive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in Switzerland
Ski resorts near Zermatt
- Cervinia, Italy7 mi
- Saas-Fee11 mi
- Champoluc, Italy13 mi
- Monterosa Ski, Italy14 mi
- Crans-Montana23 mi
- Verbier26 mi
Distances are straight-line, not by road.