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The high altitude and abundance of snow-making facilities means that the season in Zermatt usually begins in the middle of November and lasts right through to May. The large glacier at Klein Matterhorn even makes it possible to enjoy ski all year round.Zermatt's vast ski area is called, rather grandly, the Matterhorn Ski Paradise and is made up of three different sectors: Sunnegga, Gornergrat, and Klein Matterhorn.
From the Klein Matterhorn side you will find easy access into Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche in Italy. The ski area has seen a huge investment in its lift system in the last few years with three new lifts due to be completed by 2008. One, due to open in the 2006/7 season, is an 8-man cable car to connect Furi and Riffelberg, allowing a route from the Klein Matterhorn to Gornergrat sector.
(Snowboarders may find the seemingly endless flat paths and moguls frustrating but there are plenty of long jibbing runs and the off-piste is phenomenal).
Beginners:
Sunnegga is a small area with a very gentle slope, and a ‘magic carpet’ lift to get you back up the hill. When ready, you can progress onto the very easy blue next door.
Intermediates:
Take the Furggsattell chair up to the Theodulgletscher run – a fantastic long and open carving piste.
Advanced:
From the top of Blaudherd, Obere National is one of the best runs in the whole ski area – long and rolling with some really steep pitches.
Off-piste:
Triftji - Awesome bump run (or powder field if you get an early lift after a snowfall). Take the path after the first steep pitch if your thighs are burning. Access from Rote Nase Cable Car
Ever wished you could have someone to guide you round the mountains showing you the all the best spots without having to pay a fortune? Well now you can for free! Download one of these PDFs of step-by-step day trips to guide you round on some of the best skiing in the area:
| Report date: | 30 Apr 2008 |
|---|---|
| Last snowed: | 21 Apr 2008 |
| Fresh snow: | 10cm |
| Lifts open: | 13 out of 57 |
Snow depth | |
| Lower slopes: | 0cm |
| Upper slopes: | 220cm |
Piste information | |
| On-piste: | Excellent |
| Off-piste: | Tracked |
| Resort runs: | Closed |
