What to Do in Zermatt: Skiing, Paragliding, Biking

October 20, 2026

Zermatt rewards visitors in every season, but the activity list changes a lot between winter, summer and the quiet weeks in between. Everything here is priced in Swiss francs (CHF), including VAT. Expect high prices, since the village is one of the costliest in the Alps. It is also car-free, so you leave your vehicle at the Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch, which costs about CHF 16 to 17 a day, and ride the 12-minute shuttle train in.

Winter: snow sports

The winter ski season starts in early November and runs to early May, though the Sunnegga-Rothorn and Gornergrat areas open only in late November. The resort markets about 360 km of pistes across Switzerland and Italy. An independent count is nearer 320 km. Day passes follow demand: prices begin around CHF 89 for the Zermatt side and about CHF 104 if you want Cervinia as well, with a half-day option from 12:15 at about CHF 68. See the ski pass page for the live price.

Off-piste skiing and heli-skiing exist, but both carry avalanche risk. Air Zermatt flies skiers only to designated landing sites, and you should go with a guide and check the avalanche report each morning.

Summer: high mountains

Summer skiing on the Theodul glacier at Plateau Rosa lasts from May to October, ends around midday and costs about CHF 99 for a day. There is also a snow park and a beginner area at Testa Grigia.

Walkers can use the lifts to start trails above the tree line. The Five Lakes Walk from Blauherd down to Sunnegga takes about 3 hours and covers roughly 10 km, with the Matterhorn reflected in several lakes. Golfers will find the 9-hole Matterhorn Golf Club at about 1,400 m between Täsch and Randa. Tandem paragliding was listed at about CHF 240 to 300 for standard flights in 2025-26 and about CHF 460 for the high flight from Klein Matterhorn, so confirm current prices with the operator. See the tandem flight listing .

Biking

Lifts carry bikes if you buy a bike ticket, and the Sunnegga day pass was about CHF 46 to 51 in 2026. On the Gornergrat train, bikes may only travel uphill from Zermatt, with a reservation at CHF 10 per bike per trip. Ask the tourist office for current trail maps and closures.

Gorge Adventure and the river

A mountain guide runs the Gorge Adventure through the upper Gorner Gorge on fixed ropes. It takes about 4 hours and costs about CHF 170. Water sports on the Mattervispa in the village are not possible, because it is a fast glacial torrent, and river rafting leaves from Visp instead.

Safety

The thin air above 3,000 m is a real factor at Gornergrat (3,089 m) and Glacier Paradise (3,883 m). Walk slowly, drink water, avoid alcohol and go down if you get a severe headache, nausea or confusion. Do not walk onto glaciers without a certified guide. The Matterhorn is a serious climb that needs a guide. In an emergency call 144 for mountain rescue or 112.

When things close

Lifts and trains close for maintenance each year. Expect a gap in the Gornergrat railway in early November, Sunnegga-Rothorn closed from mid-October into late November and the Gorner Gorge shut from mid-October to the end of May. Check timetables in October and November. Options to book are on Viator .