Zermatt is a famedski resort and is a tourist destination. Until the mid-1800s, it was mostly a farming community; its name, as well as that of the Matterhorn itself, derives from the alpine meadows, ormatten, in the valley. In theGerman language, the town is "Zur Matte", or "in the meadow."
The town was "discovered" mid-century by British mountaineers, most notablyEdward Whymper, whose conquest of the Matterhorn made the village famous worldwide.
Zermatt is a closed village, which means that non-Swiss nationals are not permitted to buy property within the area. May is the worst time to visit this city, as most of the streets are muddy.
Zermatt is a good place to start many hikes into the surrounding mountains, such asthe Haute Route that ultimately leads toChamonix inFrance. A complex ofcable cars andchair lifts carry skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer; the highest of them leads to theKlein Matterhorn, a small outcropping on the ridge betweenBreithorn and Matterhorn that offers cool views in all directions. It is possible to cross into Italy via theCervinia cable car station.
Any automobile that uses an engine is not allowed in Zermatt because of concerns forair pollution. Electric vehicles are allowed for local commerces. The Cantonal police allow some people to park in the northern section of this city. Some emergency vehicles (firetrucks, ambulance,..) are also allowed to use combustion engines.
Most people reach Zermatt by train or cable car. Trains also leave for Zermatt fromVisp andBrig.
Zermatt is well known throughout the world for its great skiing, especially Triftji for its moguls. The high altitude results in consistent skiing continuously up until the summer.Skiing in Zermatt is split up into four distinct areas; Sunnegga, Gornegrat, Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee. There is also a connection toCervinia andValtournenche in Italy.Trail Map[permanent dead link].
