365 days a year, 360 km of slopes, 2 countries. Sounds not bad? Well, that is Zermatt. You can make a ski safari tour which means during one day you won’t take the same slope twice. Skiing/ snowboarding paradise? Yes.
There’s three main skiing areas in Zermatt that are all linked to each other.
SUNNEGGA/ ROTHORN
A funicular will take you up to Sunnegga station where you can continue your ski journey up to Blauherd or all the way up to Rothorn (3’103 m) . If you are in desperate need of sun then Sunnegga is the place to go. There’s different types of slopes there. Wolli Park – for beginners is just a bit down from Sunnegga station, where you can also find Findeln slopes and Eisfluh which are perfect to start your skiing journey with. For more advanced snow lovers there are yellow piste around which means ‘off piste’ time and some black runs as well. Very picturesque area with amazing Matterhorn view and some of the best mountain restaurants (Fluhalp – with live music and delicious meals – salad with lamb – yummie!, Chez Vrony with their well known burgers, Findlerhof on Findeln area where Franz and Heidi will serve you some tasty meals; Adler Hitta and many more! ). Also don’t forget to pop by Blue Lounge, grab a drink or two and enjoy Matterhorn view with some music in the background.
Pretty house by Ried 
Beautiful Matterhorn views guaranteed 
From Sunnegga (have to go down to Gant and up again) you can continue your ski day to :
GORNERGRAT
– where you can also travel by train. Gornergrat train station is just opposite the Zermatt one. On a sunny day we always recommend to take a train up. It takes about 30 minutes, but the views are stunning! There’s 4 wide blue slopes there where you can easily try to improve your skiing abilities. Visit Alphitta (just down from Riffelalp) for lunch and say hello to Tanja and Dave or Chämihitta on the way down to Furi. Tip: while skiing on Gornergrat area make a stop in Igloo Village , have a drink, fondue in a totally different surrounding!
Last but not least:
KLEIN MATTERHORN (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise)
– where you can ski all year round. Area connected to Italy (Valtournenche and Cervinia). Best thing is to take the lift up first thing in the morning and then go straight away to the Italian side and enjoy your day there and then come back to Zermatt (don’t miss the last lift up or you get stuck in Cervinia with only your ski gear with you). Tons of skiing and off piste possibilites on this side. If you’re up for some jumps, rails, halfpipes visit Snowpark Zermatt . Need a break? Take a rest and/or lunch in Schwarzsee. Few nice restaurants around Furi: Zum See , Les Marmottes , Blatten , Gitz Gädi and more… And don’t forget about famous aprés-ski place: Hennu Stall on the way down to Zermatt from Furi.
More info about tickets, open lifts etc: http://www.matterhornparadise.ch/
Text: Agnieszka Wajs
