Zermatt

One of the most well-known resorts in the Swiss Alps, Zermatt’s car free mountain village sits at the base of the iconic Matterhorn. With stunning views and slopes that pass into Italy, this spot should be high on your list!

Taking the train is the easiest option as it is just three hours from Zürich. It is also possible to drive to Täsch, park and take the regional shuttle train to the village.

EAT

Chez Heini Traditional Swiss restaurant in the village.

Chez Vrony No better place on mountain. This chic alpine hut can be reached by skiing or via the winter hiking trails near Findeln. The views are incredible and the food is to die for! Try the tart flambée. Booking needed.

Findlerhof This rustic mountain restaurant near Chez Vrony is right off the Sunegga/Findeln lift. It has unmatched views of the Matterhorn, excellent service and a variety of go-to mountain dishes. Try the rösti. Booking needed. 

Giuseppe A change of pace from the traditional Swiss menus, this Italian eatery will not disappoint!

Schäferstube Alpine chalet restaurant with huge cowbells and a traditional menu. Go for the fondue or the raclette.

Snowboat  go for a lively evening with friends. The menu changes periodically but most recently we went for the burgers and cocktails. All around great choice for a fun night out!

DRINK

Drink like a local and order a Schümli Plümli, the perfect way to warm up while skiing in the Swiss Alps!

22 Summits Just a few steps away from the Matterhorn-Express and the center of Zermatt, this new 4 star hotel is an upscale spot for a coffee or drink.

Cervo Alpine-chic chalet at the bottom of Sunnega with live music and local beers

Champagne bar As the name states, this little champagne hut is the perfect apreski stop for views of the matterhorn and flutes of champagne. Located on the ski slope down from Sunnega.

Gee's Bar Nice cocktails and live music nightly. One of the few spots in the village open late

Hennu Stall Cosy drinks at the bottom of Furi-Zermatt slope.

Papperla Pub Mix with the locals with listening to live music and DJs.

Unique Hotel Post Be sure not to miss this spot- located in the heart of Zermatt, this Hotel offers three restaurants and five different bars and clubs.

PLAY

Zermat offers year-round mountain activities, and the mountain is accessible from the village by multiple lifts: Rothhorn, Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. If you are not keen on mountain sports, the village also offers other activities like wellness spas and shopping.  

Hiking (summer season) With a 400 kilometer network of hiking trails, Zermatt is famous for views at every stop. Our local favorite is the Five Lakes Trail (4-6 hours).

Matterhorn Trail (Nr. 29)-Beautiful hike from Schwarzsee - Stafelalp - Zmutt - Zermatt (station). You can also do the hike in reverse but be sure to check that the gondola at Schwarzsee is running!

Furi Suspension Bridge Trail (Nr. 17a) The suspension bridge reaches 90 vertical metres above the Gornerschlucht gorge.  The roundtrip hike from the village is about 1.5 hours. Follow trail signs for “Hängebrückenweg Furi”

Mountain biking, climbing, etc.

Ski or snowboard Zermatt has over 360 kilometers of the most amazing ski slopes at affordable prices. The average price per lift pass is CHF 75. Here for a few days? Opt for the International pass which includes access to Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche in Italy.

Snowshoe or winter hiking 70 kilometers of prepared winter hiking trails for non-skiers. Hike up to Findeln (1.5 hours) and enjoy a lunch or coffee break in the small mountain village.

STAY

Ari Resort Located next to the Matterhorn express gondola station, this beautiful property offers apartment stays- all rooms include a Matterhorn view! About a 10 minute walk from the center of the village.

Chalet Castor This chalet sleeps a large group of up to eight friends. Book through Mountain Exposure Zermatt.

Hotel Bellerive One of our first experiences in Zermatt and still one of our favorites. Book early!  

Panorama Ski Lodge Chic and modern alpine flats with Matterhorn views. Dog friendly =)

Zermatt

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Jungfrau

The Jungfrau region is a picture perfect, “postcard” destination. With views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, it is revered as one of the most beautiful valleys in Switzerland. We’ve lived in Switzerland for seven years and easily count it as one of our favorite corners of the country. Beautiful alpine meadows, waterfalls, charming chalets and iconic mountain views are waiting beyond every peak and turn.

If planning to travel in Switzerland for a few days via train, it is worth looking into the SBB Swiss pass for discounted rail tickets.

Jungfrau is a “must” stop on any Swiss holiday to connect with nature, enjoy stunning vistas of the Alps and the peaceful village life. Our favorite villages in the region include:

Grindewald Located at the foot of the Eiger North face, Grindewald offers a wide range of summer and winter activities. The village is best reached by car (2 hours) or train (2 hours 45 minutes).

Lauterbrunnen The village sits at the base of the Jungfrau valley and is surrounded by five other Swiss villages, the most notable being Wengen and Mürren. Lauterbrunnen can be reached by train and car. It is 20 minutes by train from Interlaken and 2 hours from Zurich HB. If you are traveling by car, check with your hotel or lodge on parking availability. Many offer free parking.

Mürren This quiet, car-free village offers stunning views of the Alps. We usually hike to the village but it is worth an overnight stay if it is your first time. The main street has shops with typical Swiss products and outdoor gear for local sports. From Mürren, visit the beautiful area of Allmendhubel which offers stunning views at 1907 meters. For those staying in Mürren or the other car-free village, Wengen, there is a paid parking garage next to the main stations.

Wengen Celebrated for is amazing views over the valley, Wengen offers more restaurant and nightlife options than Mürren. Stay here if traveling with a group of friends or family.

EAT & Drink

Air Time Café This is a quick(er) option for lunch in the Lauterbrunnen valley. A great spot for a sandwich and a cold beer or coffee to go.

Da Sina Pizzeria The perfect restaurant and pub combo when you have had enough cheese and chocolate. The pizzas are highly recommended and the service is friendly.

Hotel Eiger Restaurant We visited this spot after the Mountain View Trail hike for lunch. The terrace offers incredible views of the Eiger and a variety of options for meals.

Hotel Schonneg`s Restaurant 1903 This charming restaurant specializes in traditional Swiss cuisine. Try the delicious Flammkuchen!

Restaurant Baeren This spot serves up European dishes using local and regional products that vary by season. Weather permitting, try dining on the terrace to enjoy the beautiful views. En guete!

If you plan to hike and are looking to pack your lunch, there is a Coop grocery store in Wengen village near the train station. Or, checkout the local Chäs-Gruebi for cheese, wine and other regional products.

PLAY

Cable Cars An alternative to skiing, take advantage of the many trains and cable cars that feature views of the region’s highlights, including Kleine Scheidegg, Jungfraujoch and Grindewald First.

Day Hikes In late-spring through autumn, enjoy 500 kilometers of marked hiking trails with amazing views of the Alps. Check the Jungfrau region website before starting your journey, as trails may be closed in shoulder season due to snow and weather conditions. We are enclosing a few of our favorite hikes below:

Bachalpsee This circular trail begins at Grindewald-First and goes to Balalpsee and back. Round trip it takes about 1hr 45 minutes and covers 5.8km. Enjoy the alpine meadows and beautiful views of the mountain lake with the reflection of the Alps.

Mountain View Trail Looking for a hike with iconic mountain views? Look no further. This hike lies high above Lauterbrunnen valley, goes through alpine meadows and ends in Allmendhubel/Mürren. To start, take the gondola from Lauterbrunnen to Grützschalp. Follow the yellow-marked hiking signs to Allmendhubel (they will also say Mountain View Trail). Tickets for the Grützschalp gondola can be purchased via the SBB app or at the ticket counter in the Lauterbrunnen train station. One-way covers 5.1km in about 2 hrs, and is medium grade.

Panoramic Trail (Panoramaweg) This hiking trail goes from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidigg. You can, however, start your journey from Wengen by taking the cable car from Wengen to Männlichen. You can also hike this portion but it is a steep climb and will add 2-3 hours. One way, the trail is 4.5km and doable in 1.25 hrs. It is easy grade.

Jungfrau Marathon trail (partial) Looking for a longer, more challenging hike? Try the hike from Wengen —> Wengeralp —> Kleine Scheidegg through the Jungfrau Marathon trail. The length one way is 7km, taking roughly 2hr 45min, and medium grade.

Lauterbrunnen Valley There are two good options:

• Staubbach Falls Close to the Lauterbrunnen train station, this waterfall is the third highest in Switzerland.

• Trümmelbach Falls These famous falls comprise of 10 glacier waterfalls, that are accessible via underground lifts, tunnels, paths and platforms.

Winter Skiing Wengen’s Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen is the ideal starting point, boasting 110 kilometers of beginner, medium and difficulty pistes. This area allows access to the neighboring resorts of Grindelwald-First and Mürren-Schilthorn. For non-skiers and boarders, it also offers toboggan runs, sledging (Swiss sledding) and 50 kilometers of winter hiking trails.

Summer Sports If planning a visit in warmer weather, do not miss the opportunity to go canyoning, paragliding, river rafting, sky-diving and zip-lining.

STAY

We recommend staying in Wengen for ease of access around the region. For a relaxing stay near the train station, we recommend Hotel Wengenerhof. While the interior is a bit dated interior (typical in Switzerland), the hotel is reasonably priced for the region. Opt for a mountain view room for amazing views of the valley. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

Another good option is Hotel Schönegg (recommended by a friend).

LOCATIONS NEARBY

Lauterbrunnen Valley /Wengen

Whistler Blackcomb

The twin peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb are one of the largest ski and snowboard resorts in North America, and just 120 kilometers north of Vancouver.

The mountain offers quite the winter playground with over 200 marked trails. Ski season runs from November through May and lift tickets can be booked in advance to save on the peak price. Alternatively, visit the mountains in off-season for excellent hiking and mountain biking.

Getting there: The closest major airport is Vancouver International (YVR), approximately a 2.5 hours drive to Whistler. We recommend renting a car at the airport or in the city if you plan to spend a few days in Vancouver as well.

EAT

Creekbread Wood-fired pizza.

COWS Whistler Amazing ice cream… treat yourself!

Earl’s Kitchen American-style bar with food. Go for happy hour.

Nagomi Sushi Good sushi in a cozy Japanese restaurant. Convenient if you are staying in the upper village.

DRINK

The Fitzsimmons Pub Neighborhood bar with craft beers and board games.

Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill Après-ski bar with an outdoor patio.

Merlins Bar & Grill Après-ski bar at the base of Blackcomb.

PLAY

Ski, snowboard, hike, etc. The mountains have it all! The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola allows easy access between Whistler and Blackcomb. Ticket prices and timelines change based on season, so please check here for the official website.

High Note Trail Take the Whistler Gondola and Peak Chairlift to the trailhead, which begins at the top of Whistler Mountain. At the top, you have 360 degree views of the mountains and iconic snow covered peaks. Distance is 9.4 kilometers (moderate difficulty).

For more information on this hikes and others in the area, check out the Whistler trail map here.

Joffre Lakes Trail Hike near Pemberton A 10 kilometer hike through forests and the surrounding lakes offers incredible views of the glaciers high above the mountains. This is an intermediate hike, and we recommend hiking shoes. Parking is available right off of Duffey Lake Road where you can start the trail.

Relax and unwind After a day on the mountains enjoy one of the many spa options in the villages.

STAY

Upper Village and Whistler Village are both easily accessible by car and have their own lifts, making both locations desirable. They are also both connected by a pedestrian walkway (5-10 minute walk).

Whistler Village is more commercial with more restaurants, bars and shops. There are also several Airbnb options in the area which we opted for as we prefer the space. With regards to hotels, we have been recommended the Four Seasons Resort Whistler or Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which has ski-in ski-out access.

Whistler

LOCATIONS NEARBY