Looks like winter is coming soon, and we know what this means! That's right folks, ski trip to Switzerland. The Swiss Alps are a great destination for skiing, the most popular areas located in Valais, Graubunden and Bernese Oberland.
Zermatt is a village in the Valais area at the northern base of the Matterhorn. Despite the growth in popularity and the fact that it is one of the greatest mountain climbing and ski locations in the world, it is a small village. Zermatt is a car-free zone (other than emergency and municipal vehicles) so providing fresh, pollutant free air.
When skiing in Zermatt, you have a choice of four different places to hit: Schwarzsee, Klein Matterhorn, Gornergrat, and Sunnegga. But skiing is not all the area has to offer. There are plenty of things to do during your time away from the slopes. Zermatt has bars, night clubs and restaurants fitted to your preference. (And of course, you can not visit without trying the traditional fondue while you're there.) Zermatt also offers great opportunities for the photography buff, amateur or professional. From the Matterhorn to the wooden houses and chalets, every picture you take will look like a postcard. The main promenade makes for a beautiful walk, and the side streets are tiny cobblestone alleyways, also perfect for a romantic stroll. The peak of the Matterhorn dominates the village, so it is almost always within view. Many folks take a train from cities hours away, just to come and see the majestic beauty of this mountain peak.
German is the primary spoken language in this particular region, although the people at most places you visit do speak English as well. Like most cities in Europe, an attempt to speak the local language is always an appreciated gesture; it is usually met with a response letting you the traveler know that they do speak English.
Many hotels inns and resorts are located throughout the village. Getting to Zermatt, you can fly into Geneva or Zurich and take the Swiss Rail into town. The ride from Geneva is 4 hours, and from Zurich is about 5 hours. The trains on the Swiss Rail network are reliable, clean and fast. Your journey to Zermatt will be memorable as you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Switzerland on the way.
