Worth getting out of bed for
Take the Gornergrat Bahn (the Matterhorn railway) to one of the summits above Zermatt: Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Rothorn (www.gornergrat.ch). Join one of the sightseeing tours of the village, which include a snoop around the historic section and a trip to the Matterhorn museum. Pay your respects to those who lost their lives on the slopes, with a visit to the Mountaineers’ Cemetery. Bored of being on solid ground? Take a helicopter ride around the mountains with Air Zermatt (www.air-zermatt.ch). Alternatively, pack a picnic and hop on the Glacier Express, which stops off at Brig, Andermatt, Chur and St. Moritz (www.glacierexpress.ch). Pootle around Zermatt, stopping off to buy ginger- and orange-flavoured chocolate from Boîte à Chocolat (+41 (0)27 967 0025; www.boiteachocolat.ch) at 7a Bahnhofstrasse; cheese and booze from Josi Cheese & Wine (+41 (0)27 966 2430) at 9 Tempel.
Local restaurants
Work your way through different kinds of fondue (classic, Gorgonzola, tomato-topped, beef, or ‘Chinoise’) in Whymper-Stube (+41 (0)27 967 2296; www.whymper-stube.ch) at 80 Bahnhofstrasse. The dark-wood dining room has a beamed ceiling, poppy-red curtains, and friendly husband-and-wife owners. For fine dining, book a table at Le Gourmet at the Alpenhof hotel (+41 (0)27 966 5555), and dress to impress. Slope-side Chez Vrony (+41 (0)27 967 2552; www.chezvrony.ch) in Findeln has garnered plenty of loyal fans for its top-notch Alpine offerings: try the air-dried beef and cheese, both of which are made on-site (the restaurant has its own cattle). Zum See, on the main run down to Zuri, is set in a 17th-century chalet (+41 (0)27 967 1873; www.zumsee.ch). Skiers and gluttons come back for the delicious sweetbreads and potato pancakes.
Join us – it's free!
Sign up now for exclusive hotel offers, money back on every booking, and Smith extras (like the one below) whenever you book with us. more
Smith extra at Cervo
A glass of sparkling wine each on arrival
