What to do and see in Zermatt, Swiss Alps: The Best Things to do

This imposing mountain towers 14,700 feet on the Swiss-Italian border.

European Snowsport (ES) Zermatt is a small premier snow sport school offering quality private lessons and small (6) group lessons for children. ES specilizes in offering caring, qualified and fun instructor to make your holiday as special as possible.

Summit Ski & Snowboard School have a fantastic team of highly qualified ski and snowboard instructors. As well as wanting to share our passion for the mountains with you, we all love teaching and we're keen help you improve your technique. Book a group or private lesson and let us help you make the most of your holiday in Zermatt.

What does an Alpine paradise look like? Probably quite like Matterhorn glacier paradise. The peak with Europe’s highest mountain station soars 3'883 metres above sea level. The peak lift takes you up to the 360º viewing platform. The view from there is like paradise. You can see an incredible 38 four-thousand-metre peaks and 14 glaciers. And a must-see in Zermatt’s glacier paradise: a real glacier palace. Up above, there is a cinema lounge, fine cuisine, superb ski slopes and a little lower, on Trockener Steg or Schwarzsee, hiking and biking trails. And on top of that many unforgettable experiences the whole year round ...

The best view of the Matterhorn The Rothorn is easily reached from Sunnegga in just 15 minutes. From here, you can see the Matterhorn from its most photogenic side. An added attraction is that you see all 38 four-thousandmetre peaks that surround Zermatt. We recommend: It is worth to get up early and enjoy the magnificent view at sunrise! A special item of interest up here is the themed hiking trail “Peak Collection” around the restaurant Rothorn. This special outdoor exhibition of 18 sculptures will connect you on an artistic level with the Alpine world of Zermatt and its many tales. Zermatt’s most beautiful mountain lake The Stellisee lake at 2,537 metres (8,323 ft) is the most-photographed lake in Zermatt. For sure, you have already marvelled yourself at a photo of the Stellisee, capturing the fascinating reflection of the Matterhorn. From Blauherd, you can reach the idyllic Stellisee in about 20 minutes. The famous flower trail also starts at Blauherd. This unique hike offers an unparalleled diversity of flowering plants. Your excursion can be ideally combined with a break at Stellisee lake or the sunrise ride.

The sunny corner of Zermatt From the train station you will reach the Sunnegga-Rothornvalley station by foot in five minutes. Taking the undergroundn funicular you will ascend to 2,288 metres (7,506 ft) in just four and a half minutes and arrive at Sunnegga, the “sunny corner” of Zermatt. From the spacious sun terrace of the restaurant, you enjoy a wonderful view of the Matterhorn. Wolli playground Leisee At Leisee lake, families can enjoy an adventure playground with attractive barbecue areas and a water feature. Your children can explore the play area while you relax in the idyllic lakeside surroundings and contemplate the amazing views of the Matterhorn. Take a refreshing dip in the lake, or play Robinson Crusoe as you cross the water on a wooden raft attached to a cable that spans the lake. Off to the land of adventure! Kickbiking on Sunnegga The extremely popular kickbikes can be hired at the SunneggaRothorn valley station (helmet included). From there it’s a thrill a minute as you speed downhill to Tuftern and on to Zermatt. There are various restaurants along the way where you can stop for a breather before continuing back to the valley station to return your kickbikes.

The Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis offers insight into the development of Zermatt. It shows the triumph and tragedy surrounding the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Here one is immersed in the mountain world of past generations: One sees how the people lived in Zermatt in the 19th century and shudder at the sight of the broken rope from the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. Four of the seven climbers lost their lives at that time. And one looks in wonder at “Theo,” the 16th century mercenary who did not succeed in crossing the Theodul Pass.

The Gorner gorge is a place of exceptional natural beauty. The wooden walkways leading between the towering cliffs provide a dramatic insight into the power of nature. The Gorner gorge offers a thrilling adventure for the whole family. Since the last ice age, the waters of the Gornervispe have carved an ever deeper chasm. Access for tourists was created back in 1886 and 1887. The rock, greenish serpentinite, is about 220 million years old. This natural spectacle is a 15-minute walk from the end of the village of Zermatt. Summer •Trip through the gorge on foot Tip: •a visit to the gorge from about mid-September, between 3pm and 4pm, is especially impressive: in the special light conditions, the water takes on a brilliant turquoise color •Trip through the upper stretches of the gorge - Gorge adventure (with mountain guide, bookable offer)

The lake of the Riffelsee (2,757 m) offers the ultimate in mountain tranquillity. The reflection of the Matterhorn on the surface of the water is one of nature’s finest spectacles. The Riffelsee is located away from the great hiking trails of Zermatt; however, the Riffelseeweg path (no. 21) leads direct to its shores. The view of the Matterhorn, king of the mountains, standing solitary on the horizon framed by a vast sky, is breathtaking: the scene is unforgettable. The best time to visit is when there is no wind and the surface of the lake is completely still – usually early in the morning or in the evening. Starting point for numerous climbs and walks The Riffelsee is not visible from the Rotenboden station of the Gornergrat Bahn cog railway, but it’s only a short walk away: about 10 minutes along a trail leading gently downhill. Climbers turn left off the path before the lake to access the numerous climbing routes on the south face of the Riffelhorn. Nature lovers will find beautiful alpine flora in the area. •Photo subject: reflection of the Matterhorn • Accessible via Gornergrat Bahn cog railway: 10 minutes’ walk from Rotenboden station • Rare alpine flowers • Close to climbing routes on the Riffelhorn (2,927 m)