Zermatt is one of the world's most magical destinations, as popular in summer as it is during the winter ski season; nestled at the foot of one of the world's most iconic peaks, the Matterhorn, that instantly recognisable global trademark for Switzerland. The skiing here is on a grand scale and Zermatt attracts a high percentage of advanced skiers, but much of its terrain is ideal for adventurous intermediates and even non-skiers can access many of the ski lifts in order to reach the magnificent viewpoints and superb mountain restaurants. There are only a very few places in the world that offer trans-national linked ski domains, and there's nowhere more impressive to ski across a frontier than here on the highest ski slopes in the Alps, linked with Cervinia in Italy. Since only electric service vehicles are now allowed on the streets of the town the fresh mountain air is unsullied and Zermatt retains much of its traditional charm and its human scale. The quaint narrow lanes in the oldest quarters are lined with age-old buildings and dotted with ancient wood-built barns, yet within all this traditional architecture the central quarter has an almost urban buzz about it, filled with designer boutiques, elegant cafés, and well-heeled clientele, and the modern suburbs contain many luxury hotels and impressive super-chalets. The extensive skiing is spread across three main areas and are all interlinked with plenty of variation to suit all standards. The principal Klein Matterhorn ski area has a sequence of gondolas and cable cars that climb from the southern end of Zermatt to the highest pistes in Europe, linked with the ski area of Cervinia in Italy. On the Swiss side there are gentle blue and red pistes on the Theodul Glacier and epic long runs down to Zermatt over a wonderfully changing landscape. The postcard perfect town under the mountain 44 The Glacier Express Since most people travel up to Zermatt by train or taxi, why not raise the bar by combining a trip to Zermatt with a journey on the Glacial Express. It may not be the fastest ‘express’, but it is certainly one of the most spectacular train journeys. In EXCELLENCE class a 7course meal with paired wines will also assist with your comfortable appreciation of the terrine terrain.
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