Top 10 Things to Do in Zermatt This Winter: Your Ultimate Guide
Updated: Sep 17
Zermatt’s winter appeal reaches well beyond its pistes. A holiday can include skiing, a cog-railway journey, forest trails, mountain lunches, ice skating, local history, and a spa afternoon. The main task is choosing activities that fit the group, weather, energy levels, and available time.
The best things to do in Zermatt in winter depend on the purpose of the trip. First-time skiers may need a gentle introduction, experienced guests may want a day across Switzerland and Italy, and non-skiers may prefer scenic transport and prepared walking paths.
Families often benefit from shorter outings with a backup plan, while couples celebrating an occasion may build the day around dining, wellness, or a Matterhorn flight.
These ten Zermatt winter activities offer a practical starting point, with options for skiers, non-skiers, families, and travellers seeking a more private experience.
1. Ski Beneath the Matterhorn
For many visitors, skiing in Zermatt remains the main reason to travel. The Swiss area covers Sunnegga–Rothorn, Gornergrat, and Schwarzsee–Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, while an international pass can add Cervinia and Valtournenche in Italy.
The combined area offers up to 360 kilometres of pistes when all connections are operating. Travellers should check the current Zermatt ski-pass options, as Swiss-only and international passes cover different terrain.
Beginners do not need to cover the entire resort. A first session on suitable terrain is more useful than spending the morning navigating lifts. Confident skiers can explore several sectors or cross into Italy when weather, wind, and international links allow.
Private ski lessons in Zermatt can focus on technique and confidence. Guests who already ski comfortably may prefer Zermatt ski resort guiding to understand the layout, choose suitable pistes, and plan lunch without losing time.
Best for: Skiers of every level when the terrain and pace are chosen carefully.
Family variation: Keep the first day short and collect equipment in advance.
Luxury variation: Book a private guide and reserve a mountain lunch that fits the route.
2. Ride the Gornergrat Railway
The Gornergrat Railway gives skiers and non-skiers one of the clearest Matterhorn panoramas in the resort. The cog railway climbs from central Zermatt to around 3,100 metres, where the view includes the Matterhorn, Gorner Glacier, and 29 peaks above 4,000 metres.
This outing can fill half a day, though travellers should allow longer for lunch, photographs, the viewing platform, or the ZOOOM the Matterhorn exhibition. Check the official Gornergrat webcam and weather information before buying a ticket for a fixed time.
It is one of the strongest non-skiing activities in Zermatt because the scenery is accessible without technical equipment or a long walk. Step-free facilities are available at Gornergrat station, though guests with specific mobility needs should confirm assistance.
Best for: First-time visitors, mixed-generation groups, photographers, and non-skiers.
Family variation: Add the interactive exhibition and keep the outdoor stop shorter in cold wind.
Luxury variation: Check special experiences such as NostalChic Class or seasonal evening dining.
A second option on the Gornergrat side is Iglu-Dorf, a seasonal village built from snow and ice near Rotenboden. Day visitors can stop for drinks or fondue when it is operating, while overnight packages offer a colder and more adventurous alternative to a hotel stay.
Access, opening dates, dining times, and room facilities change by season, so check the exact package before booking. The Mountain Company’s guide to staying at Iglu-Dorf Zermatt explains temperatures, sleeping arrangements, altitude, and what to pack.
A daytime visit can suit families and non-skiers. An overnight stay is better for guests who are comfortable with cold conditions and basic mountain facilities.
3. Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the Glacier Palace
At 3,883 metres, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise contains Europe’s highest mountain station. On a clear day, its platform looks across 38 peaks above 4,000 metres and 14 glaciers in three countries.
The Glacier Palace includes ice tunnels and sculptures around 15 metres below the surface.
The cable-car journey takes around 45 minutes each way, and the palace normally requires 30 to 45 minutes. Warm layers and closed footwear are useful. Guests should move slowly at this altitude, particularly during the first days of the holiday.
This suits groups combining sightseeing with skiing in Zermatt, as skiers can pass through the upper station while non-skiers visit the attractions. Confirm the correct ticket because sightseeing and ski products differ.
Current access advice and opening information are available through the official Glacier Palace guide.
Best for: Glacier scenery, high-altitude views, older children, and mixed groups.
Planning tip: Avoid pairing it with another tightly timed mountain excursion. Wind and lift operations can change the plan.
4. Go Sledging From Rotenboden
Sledging in Zermatt gives families and groups time on snow without a ski lesson. The best-known run descends from Rotenboden to Riffelberg on the Gornergrat side, starting at about 2,815 metres and finishing near 2,582 metres.
The run operates according to snow and route conditions. Check the official Zermatt sledging information before travelling uphill.
Riders need sturdy winter boots with grip, gloves, warm clothing, and a helmet. Ski boots are unsuitable. Follow the operator’s guidance for children and learn how to brake before gaining speed.
Among the most accessible family activities in Zermatt, sledging works well within a Gornergrat day. Check the route before leaving the village and allow time for equipment hire.
Best for: Families with school-age children, friends, and confident first-time sledgers.
Planning tip: Never stop in the centre of the run.
5. Explore Winter Trails on Foot or Snowshoes
Guests seeking a quieter day should consider winter hiking or snowshoeing in Zermatt. The destination lists more than 40 kilometres of maintained winter paths and over 20 kilometres of marked snowshoe routes, from short forest walks to higher traverses.
A prepared winter path differs from a snowshoe route. Maintained walks may require supportive footwear, while snowshoe trails can be unprepared and exposed to natural hazards.
Check the official winter trail information, weather, avalanche guidance, and route status before leaving. Remain on marked paths and do not walk across ski pistes.
The Sunnegga–Tufteren walk offers a gentle option, while Schwarzsee–Stafel provides close Matterhorn views. A guided winter hike or snowshoe tour can match the route to fitness, interests, and conditions.
Best for: Non-skiers, nature-focused travellers, active families, and rest days.
Family variation: Choose a short prepared path ending near a restaurant or lift station.
6. Plan a Mountain Lunch as Part of the Day
Mountain dining is among the top things to do in Zermatt in winter. A reservation can determine which lifts and pistes make sense during the morning, so choose the restaurant with the day’s route in mind.
Skiers may want lunch beside the piste, while non-skiers need somewhere reachable by railway, gondola, or a manageable winter walk. Findeln is known for long lunches with Matterhorn views, while Gornergrat, Riffelalp, Furi, and Schwarzsee offer different settings and access routes.
The Mountain Company’s guide to the best restaurants in Zermatt covers mountain and village options. Its article on culinary experiences in Zermatt explains how to plan meals around skiing and sightseeing.
Best for: Food-focused travellers, couples, mixed groups, and slower afternoons.
Luxury variation: Arrange a private chef in the chalet or build a special lunch around a private guide.
Local tip: Reserve popular restaurants early during Christmas, New Year, and school holidays.
7. Take a Spa and Recovery Afternoon
A spa afternoon is useful after several active days, during poor visibility, or when the group wants different plans.
Zermatt has hotel spas, pools, saunas, fitness facilities, and private treatments. Some venues accept outside guests, while others are reserved for hotel residents or require advance booking.
This is one of the easiest luxury experiences in Zermatt to add to an itinerary. It does not depend on lift operations and gives tired legs time to recover.
Confirm day-spa access, treatment duration, age restrictions, and cancellation terms directly with the property. Families should also check swimming hours, which may differ from adult spa access.
Best for: Couples, non-skiers, adults taking a rest day, and longer stays.
Family variation: Choose a hotel with family pool hours or arrange a separate children’s activity.
8. Go Ice Skating in the Village
The central rink provides an easy activity without a mountain ticket. Public ice skating is generally available from November to mid-March, and rink use is free, though training, games, and events can restrict access. Skate hire is available nearby.
A session fits between lunch and dinner, on an arrival day, or when the group wants to stay near the accommodation. It gives younger visitors an activity with a clear start and finish.
Check the current ice-rink schedule before going, especially during local hockey activity. Gloves are useful, and beginners may prefer a quieter weekday period.
Best for: Families, teenagers, couples, and groups seeking a short activity.
Planning tip: Keep skating flexible rather than making it the centrepiece of the day.
9. Explore the Old Village and Matterhorn Museum
Zermatt’s older streets add context to the modern resort. Historic barns and houses in Hinterdorf show its agricultural past, while the Mountaineers’ Cemetery and church area connect with local climbing history.
The underground Matterhorn Museum–Zermatlantis explains how Zermatt developed from a farming community into an international destination. Displays include original buildings, domestic interiors, and objects linked to the first Matterhorn ascent in 1865.
This is one of the most practical non-skiing activities in Zermatt for a cloudy afternoon. It also suits families with older children who want to understand how the mountain shaped the village.
Opening hours can change through the season, so review the Matterhorn Museum visitor information before visiting.
Best for: History, poor-weather afternoons, first-time visitors, and non-skiers.
Family variation: Combine the museum with hot chocolate, a village walk, or skating.
10. See the Matterhorn From a Helicopter
A sightseeing flight is among the most striking luxury experiences in Zermatt. Air Zermatt operates Matterhorn routes from its Zermatt heliport, with standard flights starting at around 20 minutes and longer routes covering more of the Valais Alps.
Departure times and group requirements depend on the flight selected.
The experience suits celebrations, photography trips, and guests who want a broad mountain view without a full day at altitude. Flights depend on weather, so leave flexibility and avoid booking immediately before departure from Zermatt.
Some programmes combine a flight with a mountain landing and lunch, subject to current operations. Review the current Air Zermatt sightseeing options before choosing a route.
Best for: Special occasions, photographers, couples, and private groups.
Planning tip: Confirm rescheduling terms and minimum passenger requirements.
Choosing Activities for Your Group
Non-skiers can build a full holiday around the Gornergrat Railway, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, winter walks, the museum, mountain lunches, skating, and wellness.
Families often do best with one main outing each day followed by a flexible village activity. Travellers seeking privacy can combine a guide, restaurant bookings, spa treatments, and a flight.
Conditions should determine the order. Use clear mornings for viewpoints and photography. Keep skating, the museum, village dining, and wellness for lower visibility. Sledging and snowshoe routes should only be used when officially open and suitable for the group.
The Mountain Company’s guide to unique Zermatt experiences provides further seasonal ideas.
Plan a Winter Holiday Around the Right Experiences
A strong itinerary balances active days with recovery and leaves flexibility for mountain weather. Book limited-capacity experiences first, then place adaptable Zermatt winter activities around them. Planning a trip for skiers and non-skiers? Contact The Mountain Company for local help choosing activities that suit your group, dates, and preferred pace.
