Zermatt

Zermatt is car-free, which sounds complicated but actually simplifies things considerably. You'll park at Täsch (the last village accessible by car) and take a 12-minute train shuttle into Zermatt. Once there, electric taxis and hotel shuttles handle luggage—you won't miss having a car.

Geneva Airport (GVA) is the most common arrival point. The train journey takes about 3.5 hours with one change in Visp, and Swiss trains are exceptionally family-friendly—spacious, punctual, and scenic. Driving to Täsch takes roughly 2.5 hours via the A9 motorway.

Zurich Airport (ZRH) offers similar timing: 3.5-4 hours by train with changes, or about 3 hours driving to Täsch. The train route through the Lötschberg tunnel is genuinely spectacular.

Milan Malpensa (MXP) is worth considering if you're coming from elsewhere in Europe—it's about 3 hours to Täsch by car, though the route crosses into Switzerland and can involve traffic at the border.

Car or train?

For families, the train wins. Swiss rail handles ski equipment without fuss, kids under 6 travel free, and you avoid winter driving entirely. The train from Täsch to Zermatt runs every 20 minutes until late evening, so timing isn't stressful.

If you do drive, the Täsch parking garages (Matterhorn Terminal Täsch is the main one) cost around CHF 15-18 per day. Book covered parking in advance during peak weeks—open lots mean scraping ice off your car.

Making it easier with kids

• Book the train in advance through SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) for family saver fares—children 6-15 travel free with a parent holding a valid ticket and the Junior Travelcard (CHF 30 for the year)
• Request luggage service from your hotel when booking—most will meet you at the Zermatt station with an electric cart
• Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on—the Täsch-Zermatt shuttle can be crowded during Saturday changeover days, and spills happen
• Arrive before dark if possible—the first glimpse of the Matterhorn from the train is worth timing right

Worth noting: Saturday is the busiest travel day by far. If you can arrive Friday evening or Sunday morning, the experience is noticeably calmer for everyone.

Zermatt's accommodation sits in a car-free village, which changes the logistics game. Everything moves by electric taxi, horse-drawn carriage, or on foot—charming, but worth considering when you're hauling ski gear with tired kids. Location relative to the three main lift bases (Sunnegga, Gornergrat, and Matterhorn Express) matters more here than in most resorts.

The Lift Base Reality

True ski-in/ski-out is rare in Zermatt—the village layout means most families walk or take the electric bus to lifts. Your best bet for minimizing morning stress: stay within 5 minutes' walk of either the Sunnegga funicular (where most kids' lessons meet) or the Matterhorn Express gondola.

Family-Friendly Picks

For young kids (under 6): Look for apartments near the Sunnegga funicular bottom station. This is where the beginner area "Wolli Park" is located and where most ski schools meet. The ARI Resort offers spacious family apartments with up to 8 beds, kitchen facilities, and has earned the Swiss "Family Destination" quality seal. Having a kitchen saves significant money on meals—restaurant prices in Zermatt are eye-watering.

Mid-range with amenities: Resort la Ginabelle offers a supervised children's club with games and activities, plus a family spa option. Being able to hand off kids for an hour while you decompress is worth its weight in gold after a week of ski lessons and early mornings.

Budget-conscious approach: Self-catering apartments like Z'Wichjehues provide baby equipment on request (cots, high chairs, changing tables) and elevator access for pushchairs. Doing breakfast and dinners in-apartment can save a family of four CHF 100-150 per day compared to eating out.

Worth Noting

Zermatt isn't a budget destination by any measure—accommodation runs 30-50% higher than comparable Austrian resorts. However, the Wolli Card gives free lift access to children under 9, which helps offset costs. Book apartments with washer/dryers to pack lighter and avoid baggage fees.

The village is walkable but hilly. If you're traveling with a pushchair or very young children, confirm your accommodation has elevator access and check the gradient to the nearest lift station before booking.

Zermatt operates one of Switzerland's most extensive lift systems, and the pricing reflects its premium status. The Matterhorn Ski Paradise covers both Swiss and Italian terrain, which affects how passes are structured.

Current Prices (2024/25 Season)

Day passes for the Zermatt ski area (Swiss side only):

• Adults: CHF 99 (approximately €105/$115)
• Youth (16-19): CHF 79
• Children (9-15): CHF 50
• Under 9: Free with the Wolli Card (registration required)

For the full International pass (Zermatt + Cervinia/Valtournenche in Italy):

• Adults: CHF 115 per day
• Children (9-15): CHF 58

Multi-Day Savings

Buying multiple days brings meaningful discounts. A 6-day adult pass runs around CHF 450-480 (roughly CHF 75-80/day versus CHF 99 for single days). The sweet spot for families is typically 5-6 day passes—you'll save about 20% compared to buying daily.

Worth noting: Multi-day passes don't need to be consecutive days. If you're planning rest days or non-skiing activities, you can spread them across your stay.

Free Skiing for Young Children

Children under 9 ski free, but you must register for a Wolli Card in advance. This isn't automatic—visit the Zermatt Bergbahnen website or a ticket office with your child's passport or ID to get the card. It's valid for future visits too, so worth doing properly.

Pass Options

Zermatt is not part of Epic, Ikon, or other major North American pass systems. There's no regional Swiss pass that covers it either—you're buying direct from Zermatt Bergbahnen.

The Peak Pass offers 10 flexible days across the season at a reduced rate, useful for frequent visitors or those with second homes in the area.

Best Value Tips

Book online in advance through matterhornparadise.ch for modest savings and to skip ticket office queues. You'll get a QR code to scan at automated machines or collect from designated "pick-up" desks.

For most families, the Zermatt-only pass makes more sense than the International option. The Italian side adds terrain but requires a lengthy glacier crossing that eats into skiing time—not ideal with tired children. Save the Cervinia adventure for when kids are strong intermediate skiers who can handle the distance.

Locals know: Afternoon-only passes (available from 12:30) cost roughly 60% of the full day price. If you're easing young children into skiing or dealing with jet lag, this can be a smart way to stretch your budget while everyone adjusts.

Zermatt's ski area is genuinely enormous—360km of marked pistes across the Matterhorn ski paradise, extending into Italy's Cervinia. That sounds overwhelming for families, but here's the reassuring reality: the beginner and intermediate terrain is concentrated in well-defined areas that you'll get to know quickly, while the expert terrain is largely separate.

Terrain Overview

The skiing divides into three main sectors accessed from the village: Sunnegga-Rothorn, Gornergrat, and the Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise). For families with children still developing their skills, Sunnegga is your home base. It's sunny (the name literally means "sunny corner"), has gentle blue runs, and houses the main children's learning areas.

Intermediate families will find plenty of cruisy reds across all three areas, though the best family-friendly intermediate skiing is around Blauherd and Rothorn. The Gornergrat sector offers spectacular scenery but slightly more challenging terrain.

Best Areas for Beginners and Young Children

The Wolli Park at Sunnegga is purpose-built for beginners and young children. It's where all the ski schools base their youngest learners, with magic carpets, gentle slopes, and a mascot (Wolli the sheep) that kids love. The area is fenced and separate from through-traffic, so you're not dodging speeding intermediates.

Worth noting: Children under 9 ski free with the Wolli Card (available at lift ticket offices with ID). That's a significant saving given Zermatt's premium pricing.

Ski School Options

Several reputable ski schools operate here, each with slightly different approaches:

• Swiss Ski School Zermatt (the official school) runs Swiss Snow League group lessons for ages 6-14, following the standardized Swiss progression system. Groups of 3-8 children.
• Summit Ski School specializes in English-language instruction with maximum 6 children per group—helpful if your kids aren't confident in German or French. Six morning sessions run CHF 600.
• Evolution Ski School caps groups at 6 children and offers full-day options (CHF 650) including lunch—useful if you want your own ski time.
• Altitude Ski School runs "Polar Bear" groups for ages 3-5, accepting children from age 2 in private lessons if group settings aren't suitable.

Private lessons run roughly CHF 350-450 for a half-day across most schools. For a family of four, group lessons are significantly more economical if schedules align.

Family Lunch Spots

Mountain restaurants here are excellent but expensive—budget CHF 25-40 per person for a simple lunch. A few family-friendly options:

• Sunnegga restaurant—right at the top of the funicular, easy to reach, has a sunny terrace and simpler options alongside the full menu
• Restaurant Findeln—a short ski down from Sunnegga, famous views of the Matterhorn, but book ahead for peak times
• Vrony—also in Findeln, slightly more relaxed atmosphere than some of the posher spots

Pro tip: Bring snacks and water in your pockets. Mountain dining at Zermatt prices adds up fast with hungry children, and a mid-morning snack break can push lunch to a quieter (and quicker) time slot.

Must-Know Mountain Tips

• Start at Sunnegga—it's accessed by underground funicular (3 minutes), so no exposed lift ride for nervous first-timers. The other areas require gondolas or the cog railway.
• Altitude matters—skiing goes up to 3,883m at Klein Matterhorn. Stick to lower areas (Sunnegga tops out around 3,100m) for the first day or two, especially with younger children.
• The Italy connection—skiing to Cervinia is possible on your Zermatt pass, but it's a commitment (you need to ski back or take lifts). Save it for a dedicated day with confident skiers, not a family meander.
• Download the Skiguide Zermatt app—it shows real-time lift queues and helps navigate the extensive trail network.
• Afternoon sun—Sunnegga faces south and gets sun all day. Gornergrat can be cold and shaded in the afternoon.

Zermatt's car-free village is genuinely magical for families once the ski boots come off. Electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages replace cars, meaning kids can wander the main street without you constantly pulling them back from traffic. The compact village center puts everything within a 15-minute walk, though steep hills and cobblestones mean pushchairs need good wheels.

Non-Ski Activities

The Gornergrat cog railway is worth doing even if you don't ski that day—the 33-minute journey climbs to 3,089m with increasingly dramatic Matterhorn views. Kids love the train itself as much as the destination. At the top, there's a small observatory and viewing platform (dress warmly—it's significantly colder up there).

Ice skating at the outdoor rink near the church is a reliable evening activity, with skate rental available on-site. The Glacier Palace at Klein Matterhorn offers ice sculptures and slides carved into the glacier—genuinely impressive, though you'll need lift tickets to access it.

For younger children, the Wolli Park at Sunnegga has sledding and play areas accessible via the funicular. Many families do a half-day here when kids need a break from skiing but still want snow time.

Restaurant Recommendations

• Restaurant Schäferstube – Traditional Valais specialties including excellent raclette. Kids welcome, but book ahead for dinner
• Pizzeria Broken – Reliable pizza and pasta in a casual atmosphere, easier than formal Swiss restaurants with children
• Grampi's Pub – Good burgers and casual fare, explicitly family-friendly during early evening hours
• Whymper Stube – Fondue specialist, works well with kids aged 6+ who have patience for communal dipping

Worth noting: Zermatt restaurants are expensive even by Swiss standards. Budget CHF 30-40 per adult for a modest meal, CHF 15-20 for children's portions. Many restaurants serve until 9pm, but kitchens close earlier than you might expect.

Evening Entertainment

Options are limited with young children. Post-dinner walks along the lit main street are pleasant, and several hotels have swimming pools open to non-guests for a fee. The Matterhorn Museum (Zermatlantis) is genuinely interesting for children 7+ with its underground reconstruction of traditional village life and Matterhorn climbing history.

Most après-ski bars aren't appropriate for families, though hotel lobbies often welcome families for hot chocolate around 4-5pm.

Groceries & Self-Catering

Coop on the main street is your primary option—well-stocked but expensive (milk, bread, and basics cost roughly double UK prices). There's also a smaller Migros for essentials. For self-catering families, apartments often work out better value than hotels with half-board, despite grocery costs.

Pro tip: Bring snacks from home or stock up in larger Swiss towns before arriving. Zermatt's isolated location means everything is transported in, and prices reflect this.

Village Walkability

Excellent for able-bodied families—most of the village is genuinely flat along the river, with the main Bahnhofstrasse easily navigable. However, accommodation "five minutes from the lifts" might involve steep climbs. Electric taxis (CHF 15-25 for short trips) are readily available if little legs tire out. The Sunnegga funicular base station is central; Gornergrat railway departs from opposite the main train station.

Parents consistently describe Zermatt as a "magical winter wonderland" that delivers unforgettable family memories—but they're equally unanimous that it comes at a premium price. As one parent blogger put it directly: "Zermatt isn't a budget family skiing holiday destination by any means."

What families love:

• The car-free village creates a uniquely safe, stress-free environment for children
• Multiple ski school options with small group sizes (typically 6 children maximum)
• The Wolli Card gives free lift access to children under 9—a rare perk that helps offset costs
• English-speaking instructors are readily available across most ski schools
• The Sunnegga area is repeatedly praised as the best zone for families, with gentle terrain and easy access

Common concerns:

• Costs add up quickly—ski school, equipment rental, and dining all carry Swiss premium pricing
• The terrain is genuinely vast, which can feel overwhelming for first-time family visitors
• Some parents note the resort caters more naturally to advanced skiers, with beginners needing to navigate to specific family-friendly zones
• Getting to the beginner areas requires taking lifts first, which adds complexity compared to ski-in/ski-out beginner slopes at other resorts

Tips from experienced families:

• Book ski school early, especially during half-term weeks—small group sizes mean limited availability
• Base yourself near the Sunnegga funicular if skiing with younger children
• Download the Skiguide Zermatt app for real-time lift and piste information
• Consider self-catering apartments (widely available with family-friendly amenities) to manage meal costs

Worth noting: Zermatt holds official "Family Destination" certification from Switzerland Tourism, and accommodation options increasingly cater to families with features like children's clubs, baby equipment loans, and family spa sessions. The infrastructure for families exists—you just need to budget accordingly.