Zermatt for non-skiers in Winter

Walk in the Hinterdorf-Zermatt Centre

The village of Zermatt is magical with quaint wooden buildings and a church with a spire that look especially beautiful in the snow. Head to the old town, also called ‘Hinterdorf,’ where you will find a collection of more than 30 buildings constructed in the traditional style of the barns and stores of the upper Valais built between the 16th and 18th centuries sit on flat stone slabs balanced on stilts to keep out mice.
The buildings are made of larch, the tree that dominates Zermatt’s surroundings. Rich in resin, the timber is particularly resistant to pests. The houses are roofed with heavy slabs of rock, which compress the timber supporting it and make the construction more robust still. Sunshine and weather darken the wood, and over the course of many years it turns black. As a result, the building becomes much more effective at absorbing and storing heat.

• Barn: for keeping hay; one door

• Store: for keeping food such as dried meat; usually four doors.

Zermatt is Car free which makes shopping in the boutiques in the main village so pleasant.In the Bahnhofstrasse (follow the street to the right from Zermatt train station) you will find a range of shops selling the finest Swiss chocolate (Sprungli, Laedarach, Lindt, souvenirs and higher end jewellery such as Swiss watches (Schindler’s) and Swiss Army knives. On the Church bridge is one of our favourite Zermatt Matterhorn viewpoint.

When you fancy a break, stop off at the Café Petit Royal for the best hot chocolate you ever had or have a little bite to eat at the traditional Fuchs Bakery. 

Backzeit by the Rex

Our Bakery. The best sourdough to have for breakfast.There are 2 branches,check which days which one is open.

Ride the Gornergrat Train and experience the Swiss Alps

At an altitude of over 3,000m, the observation platform at the Gornergrat has the most incredible view of the iconic Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains.Take the free bus at the Winkelmatten chapel bus stop to the Zermatt main train station and there you take the Gornergrat Bahn. Ticket information here.

The train journery to the Gornergrat is magical.The train, called the Gornergrat Bahn, takes just 33 minutes from Zermatt village, and takes you on the most beautiful scenic journey up the mountain, over old stone bridges, through tiny tunnels and wild forests. Once at the top you will find a large sun deck, the quaint Bernhard von Aosta chapel, a restaurant, and Europe’s highest Hotel, the Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Zooom The Matterhorn – Opened only in June 2021, this museum is a fun, new multimedia universe allows you to discover all the dimensions of the Matterhorn and the mountain. This is done through 3D sessions, virtual paragliding flights and videos on the its surrounding alpine mountains. Tip: the admission is included in your Gornergrat train ticket.

If you want a nostalgic train ride with a full day’s itinerary all planned out, have a look at this!

Winter hiking on the Gornergrat

The Gornergrat is a true natural paradise. Once up at the elevation of 3,089 metres you will be only minutes away on foot from this natural landscape. The starts and finishes for various routes are between the Gornergrat and the Riffelberg.

You have several hiking trail choices on the Gornergrat. Discover the snow covered world at 3000 metres. Or you could enjoy a winter‘s day on a sunny terrace and then walk down through the Swiss pine forest (Arvenwald) to Zermatt from the Riffelalp.Get your hiking trails here.

You could also enjoy the restaurants at the Gornegrat.

Helicopter Ride Around The Matternhorn