Why is Zermatt the number one European ski resort for Australians?

Zermatt is high on the wish list for the majority of Australians travelling to the European Alps but just what makes this charming Swiss resort so appealing? Is it because it’s the best resort in the Alps?

Here at SkiBoutique we often muse over that assertion. Of course “best” is subjective, everyone’s personal favourite excels at one aspect or another making that resort tops in their opinion, so it really depends on what you want from a resort. Courchevel 1850 is without doubt the most affluent with the most expensive accommodation, Grimentz is arguably the prettiest and most ‘undiscovered’ which appeals to people who crave a little exclusivity.

It could be argued that Val d’Isere has the best skiing, situated as it is, in one of the most extensive ski areas with an almost infinite choice of piste. Some would say that Crans Montana has the best views, taking in, as it does, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, two of the Alps most iconic peaks, Chamonix is closest to the airports, consequently having the shortest transfer times and is the home of Alpinism and so it goes on, resort after resort ticking one box or another.

So maybe if there is a “best” it would have to be compromise but the resort that ticks most of the boxes is Zermatt, which just happens to be the home of SkiBoutique. It’s no accident that we based ourselves in this historic and pretty resort.

Zermatt has a lot going for it, the Matterhorn, perhaps the most iconic mountain in the Alps, towers high above the village and is a magnet for a multitude of sightseers, if I had a cent for every picture taken of the peak I could single handedly fund the Australian space programme, with change to spare.

The Matterhorn is Zermatt’s calling card and the random events that shaped the peak unwittingly did a great branding job for the resort. The village, still developing to this day is historic and as pretty as any ski village you’ll find anywhere. Zermatt has long been established and as a result has a wealth of architecture both old and new.

The village has a great vibe about it with some great bars, restaurants and cafe’s to sample. There’s a calm and tranquil ambience that could easily go unnoticed until you realise that the village is car free, the absence of the usual traffic and its associated noise is refreshing, although you’ll often hear the clip clop of the horse drawn carriages that ferry guests from the station to their hotels. This aspect of the village is redolent of a bygone era and all the more charming for it.

It’s possible to ski all year round here as high up on the glacier there’s still sufficient snow to support the activity. A popular day out for experienced skiers is over the top of the ridge and border, down into Cervinia in Italy, take in lunch, then back over into Zermatt, stopping on the way at the many apres ski bars and restaurants on the way down back into town.

Zermatt is a starting point for hikes into the mountains, including the Haute Route that leads to Chamonix in France and many other shorter rambles. The Klein Matterhorn cable car terminating at 3,883m is not for the feint hearted, perched as it is on the ridge between the Breithorn and the Matterhorn, the views are almost literally out of this world. The highest railway in Europe runs up to the summit of the Gornergrat and is the Western terminus for the Glacier Express. Zermatt is wedged at the head of the Matter Valley (Mattertal) at an altitude of 1,620m and as a result has some wonderful scenery to behold to sate the most jaded of palettes.

The varied choice of accommodation runs the gamut from simple self-catered to the stratospherically expensive, fully catered, five star chalets. The resort is home to some of our favourite luxury ski chalets. A great resort for families and ski bums alike, Zermatt really is a special place with something for everyone, skier or non-skier. That’s why it tops the charts for our Australian clientele and we tend to agree, Zermatt, our home and our No1 resort is an Alpine icon.

Rebecca Frith is founding owner and Director of SkiBoutique. With offices located in Europe and Australia, SkiBoutique have some of the finest selection of luxury ski chalets available to rent in the European Alps.

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