Gornergrat Railway
Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland[2.5 miles]
A spectacular journey by cog railway, reaching a height of more than 3,000m, with fabulous mountain views of the Matterhorn.
Best for ages: 4+ | £100 | 2 hours
Best places to stay:
There are five-star ski hotels aplenty – but there’s only one Riffelalp.
Set in a small hamlet 2,200m up the mountain, above the town of Zermatt, it’s an isolated spot, but one that’s worth the (exciting) ride up (by train, then snowmobile), and one you won’t want to leave.
As you would expect from a five star, it comes with the usual complement of beautifully appointed, cosy bedrooms, fine dining, and exceptional spa facilities, making any stay an extremely comfortable one.
What really sets it apart is the jaw-dropping view over the magnificent Matterhorn – best appreciated from the steamingly warm inside/out pool.
It’s great for families, with plenty for the kids. There are other thrilling activities on offer, if you tire of skiing (or come in summer).
And given the location, it is of course ski in ski out that makes slope access so wonderfully quick and easy. Everything you need can be rented on site too.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland[2.5 miles]
A spectacular journey by cog railway, reaching a height of more than 3,000m, with fabulous mountain views of the Matterhorn.
Best for ages: 4+ | £100 | 2 hours
Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland[2.6 miles]
Europe’s most popular tourist train passes through an astonishing variety of landscapes: snow-covered peaks, desolate moors, limestone cliffs of the Rhine gorge, spiral tunnels and horseshoe curves.
Best for ages: 6+ | £140 | 7.5 hours
Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland[7.3 miles]
A surreal world of ice sculptures, housed deep inside a glacier, at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level.
Best for ages: 4+ | £100
Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland[7.7 miles]
One of Europe’s highest, most recognisable and most beautiful mountains with an iconic jagged-tooth form, soaring to 4,478m.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 night
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Valais, Switzerland
Beguiling atmosphere, sensational scenery, skiing for all levels – a world-class mountain resort that’s as busy in summer as winter.
Round-ups that include this placetostay
Multiple countries
Ski writer and passionate skier Nicola Iseard recommends her favourite ski hotels in Europe. We all love a ski in ski out, but there’s more to it than that..