Zermatt Mountain Adventure

Since the mid-19th century, Zermatt has starred among Switzerland’s glitziest resorts. British climber Edward Whymper reached the Matterhorn’s summit in 1865 and plucky souls have come here ever since to climb: Theodore Roosevelt climbed the Matterhorn in 1881 and a 20-year-old Winston Churchill scaled Monte Rosa (4634m) in 1894. Today skiers and boarders cruise along well-kept pistes, spellbound by the scenery, while style-conscious darlings flash designer threads in the town’s swish lounge bars. But all are smitten with the Matterhorn, an unfathomable monolith you can’t quite stop looking at.

Our days will be spent exploring Switzerland’s highest ski resort. At an altitude of 3883 metres, between Zermatt and Breuil, the Matterhorn ski paradise offers 360 kilometres of blue, red, black and yellow runs. Guests can use modern lifts and cable cars, including the recently opened Matterhorn glacier ride. Zermatt offers two different snow parks, where you can throw down your best tricks and moves.

Non-skiers will also be delighted, as the views from Zermatt’s cable cars are all remarkable. One can ride the world’s highest altitude cable car to gawk at 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks over 4000 meters. You may also want to visit the Glacier Palace, an actual subterranean ice palace, complete with glittering ice sculptures and an ice slide. Or perhaps you’ll enjoy tubing in the snowy surroundings, with stunning views of the Alps. Zermatt Village is also home to some of the most sophisticated spas and stylish shops, so the choices are yours to discover!

Our incredible time in Zermatt will culminate with a night under the stars at Europe’s highest hotel, 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Here we’ll dine, visit the astronomical observatory and soak up night-time views of the Matternhorn for our grand finale.

Itinerary at a Glance

• Arrive Zurich and train to your hotel
• Welcome dinner and drinks
• Train from Zurich to Visp then hop aboard the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway for a scenic ride up the Matter Valley to Zermatt
• Check in to our hotel and tour the town on foot before dinner at The Art Gallery
• Ski Switzerland’s highest ski resort, returning to our hotel each evening
• Hop on the Gornergrat Bahn, one of the world’s first electrified cog railways, as we climb to the Kulmhotel, Europe’s highest, for an night among the gods
• Soak up the nighttime views of the Matterhorn in the crisp, twinkling air
• After a glorious breakfast, we’ll travel by train back to Zurich for flights home

What’s Included:

• Experienced professional guides
• Chartered transportation between destinations
• Expedition equipment
• All meals and accommodations
• Taxes and permits

What to Expect on the Lofoten Multi-Sport Adventure

Day One

Upon arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, you can take the train to our first night’s hotel. Our trip officially starts with your check in at Zurich’s hippest red-light district hotel, 25Hours Zurich Langstrasse at the junction between the lively Langstrasse and the ultra-modern Europaallee. Join us at 7pm for an indulgent welcome at Cinchona Bar and then you will be treated to an amazing dinner at their acclaimed restaurant, NENI.

Accommodations: 25Hours Zurich Langstrasse

Day Two

After a fabulous breakfast, at the hotel, we’ll take the morning train to Visp, where we make a quick transfer onto the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway and travel to Zermatt along the Matter Valley. The total trip is 3.25 hours and you can sense the anticipation on the train as couples gaze wistfully out of the window, kids fidget and stuff in Toblerone, and people rummage for their cameras at every turn. And then, as we arrive in Zermatt, whoops of joy are heard at the pop-up-book effect of the Matterhorn (4478m), the hypnotically beautiful, one-of-a-kind peak that rises like a shark’s fin above town.

We’ll disembark and head straight to our hotel, The Backstage, to drop our bags. A village stroll, a delicious lunch at Grampis and some refreshing drinks will set the tone for the days to follow. This afternoon, we’ll go for a winter walk, sip wine or microbrews, and then return to our hotel to enjoy the heated pool and spa facilities. Tonight’s welcome cocktails will be in The Lounge Bar and followed by a four-course dinner in the Art Gallery.

Accommodations: The Backstage

Days Three & Four

The next days will be spent exploring Switzerland’s highest ski resort. There’s miles and miles of fantastic slopes offering perfect skiing, sun and snow. There are plenty of options for non-skiers as well.

Accommodations: The Backstage

Day Five

After another decadent breakfast, we head to Gornergrat. At an altitude of 3,089 meters, it has been one of Switzerland’s top excursion destinations since 1898. The Gornergrat Bahn was one of the world’s first fully-electrified cog railways. Today, it is a modern, eco-friendly railway, equipped with regenerative braking system that takes 33 minutes and climbs 1,469 m vertically, over dramatic bridges, through galleries and tunnels, across larch forests and Swiss stone pine and past rocky ravines and lakes. The panorama we will witness is among the finest in the world.

Upon arrival we’ll check into Europe’s highest hotel 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, where we’ll spend the night among the gods.

The experience here is surreal as wisps of cloud glide past the windows. Ice, snow and clouds melt together to form a scene of white and crystal, while black rocks burst out of the stark whiteness. Two minutes later, everything clears and t here’s blue sky. The night skies at this altitude sparkle like diamonds and you’ll meet and mingle with expert astronomers from the planetarium who are happy to share their knowledge. This is the ultimate place to soak up day and night time views of the Matternhorn as our grand finale in Zermatt. Tonight, the team at the restaurant “Vis-à-Vis” will treat us to a mouth-watering 4-course dinner.

Accommodations: 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat

Day Six

After a glorious mountain-top breakfast, we’ll begin the train journey back to Zurich, with more outstanding views along the way. Those who are planning to fly out of Switzerland that night should book flights departing 7pm or later.

Accommodations

25 hours Zurich Langstrasse

Inspired by the contrasts between banking and the red-light district, between art and capitalism, the designer Werner Aisslinger and his team see the 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse created a self-contained microcosm. Regularly changing resident artists ensure a steady flow of creative input. At the heart of the 25hours Hotel Langstrasse is the ground floor, home to the Cinchona Bar and NENI. Our rooms are comfortable sanctuaries with design elements inspired by themes from the red-light district, the bourgeoisie, or the world’s penthouses.

Backstage Spa and Hotel, Zermatt

Uniquely designed by Zermatt’s star designer, Heinz Julen, and run by his wife, Evelyne, the rooms are arranged in cube-lofts with high ceilings and windows that extend from floor to ceiling, ensuring spectacular views of the Matterhorn. The owner who’s also an artist created a space for art gallery within the hotel and there’s a public cinema where you dine while watching a film.

3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, Zermatt

At the summit station on the Gornergrat, visitors find Europe’s highest-altitude hotel: the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. Facilities include a restaurant, astronomical observatory and attractive shops. Spending the night here is a wonderful experience.

Equipment List

• Smart casual clothes for evening dining in Zurich and Zermatt

• Ski jacket or shell

• Fleece jacket or puff coat

• Gore-Tex or nylon ski pants for on the mountain

• Ski gloves and warm hat(s)

• If you are planning to ski or snowboard, you may want to bring your own boots but renting gear (boards or skis, boots, and/or poles) will be less cumbersome.

• Ski googles

• Sunglasses

• 2 long underwear tops (Merino wool is best)

• 1-2 long underwear bottoms

• 5 pairs of wool or warm socks for outdoor activities

• Snow boots or something for walking in the village, tubing and exploring the mountain

• Swim suit for hot tubs and/or spa

• Personal toiletries, spare glasses

• Camera/phone with charger

• Passport

• Credit cards, cash for tips