Skiing from the top of the world. © TheRealDestinations 2025
There are ski resorts—and there is Zermatt. Spanning across an international boundary, it features the longest groomed ski run in the world at 13.5 miles, descending from the 12,700 ft peak of Klein Matterhorn down an astonishing 7,700 feet in elevation. That’s a 50% larger vertical drop than anything found in North America, and nearly double that of Vail or Breckenridge.
Switzerland is famous for its mountains, and for good reason. If you visit in winter, you can expect to find some of the best skiing on Earth, legendary après-ski revelry—and some of the steepest prices found anywhere.
United MileagePlus: [Direct: United or Swiss Air]
American AAdvantage: [Direct: American] Or connect via Aer Lingus
Delta SkyMiles: [Direct: Delta] Or connect via Air France, KLM.
The Good:
Zermatt is one of the few ski resorts in the world with a section open year-round—thanks to its location atop a glacier.
Trains run everywhere, frequently, and on time. Why not take a few hours to soak in the scenery aboard the Glacier Express?
Come for the views, stay for the true après-ski experience—something only the Europeans have perfected.
The Bad:
Switzerland has always been expensive, and at world-famous ski resorts in the middle of ski season only pushes it up more. Example: $40-$50 main courses at even low to mid-level restaurants—but at least the beer and wine are less.
Along those same lines, this isn’t really the type of place you visit for the unique, local food, unless you really, really enjoy cheese and cheese related dishes.
Without a car, covering any distance with full ski gear packed is an adjustment.
The Gornergrat, a unique hotel and working astronomical observatory, sitting alone at 10,000 ft above sea level—with ski in/out access directly to the trails. © TheRealDestinations 2025
the Summary:
In the wintertime, Switzerland is the ultimate ski destination. It’s not exactly a bargain by any standards, but you won’t find a winter alpine experience like this anywhere else.
Taking it nice and slow, the Glacier Express—despite its name—runs a leisurely course across the country, from posh Davos in the east directly to Zermatt in the west. You can get on at any point, if you decide to take the whole route, be prepared to set aside a full day for sitting back and watching the landscapes unfold while a full service dining menu is served at your seat.
Après-ski begins even before the day’s done, with well over a dozen restaurants and bars high up in the mountains. While most hotels are located in town, a select few, like the Gornergrat, are located high atop the mountain itself, with ski in/out access. Will you be nursing a headache from spending the night in a hotel at 10,000 feet without having truly acclimated yet to the altitude? Very likely. Worth it? Yess.
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, but it’s also home to narrow, historic medieval streets winding through charming neighborhoods, packed with restaurants, pricey boutiques, centuries-old churches and other little hidden corners to explore.
View from the Glacier Express.
Yes, that is an actively running gondola in the back. And yes, everyone’s in full ski gear because there is another 1/2 mile left to go down the trail. But that hasn’t stopped the party—or the shots.
Catching the stars atop the observatory/hotel. © YC 2025
Like the ski resort, Zermatt is unlike any other ski town. Once a historically isolated village, its narrow streets were never built for modern car traffic. As a result—no cars! Visitors must arrive by rail, or park in the next town over and take commuter train in. Within Zermatt, small golf cart sized electric taxis and buses quietly help move visitors and their ski gear around in this compact town.
When to Visit
Winters can get cold, but for the most part it hasn’t been disruptive.
Language Barrier
Almost none for English speakers.
Price Level
~30% more expensive than home.
Getting There
~$700 Roundtrip or 60K miles on Star Alliance or OneWorld carriers.
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The Après-ski continues off-mountain. © YC 2025
Skiing on a literal glacier. © YC 2025