View of the mountain panorama in Glacier Paradise from the ski slope View of the mountain panorama in Glacier Paradise from the ski slope
Snow-sure glacier ski area at the Matterhorn glacier paradise

Glacier skiing in Zermatt

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IS IT POSSIBLE TO GO SKIING IN ZERMATT DURING SUMMERTIME?

The summer is here and the sun is high in the sky – but up on the Theodul Glacier above Zermatt the conditions are still wintry in the summer months and suitable for skiing, snowboarding and freestyling up to midday. So: rise and shine! Europe’s highest and biggest summer ski resort has up to 21 km of pistes on offer, and freestyle fans needn’t feel left out as the Summer Snowpark Zermatt is one of the highest freestyle arenas in the Alps and one of the region’s best snow parks.

WHERE CAN YOU GO SKIING IN ZERMATT DURING SUMMERTIME?

State-of-the-art lifts will take you from Zermatt up to a breath-taking altitude of 3'883 metres above sea level. The slopes offer guaranteed snow cover all year round for ski sports at the highest level – it is perfectly possible to find yourself sharing a gondola with famous winter sports stars who are also drawn to the perfectly groomed pistes, super-fast runs and sticky descents. Zermatt is the place to rub shoulders with the stars: over one hundred teams from 22 nations hone their skills on the Theodul Glacier in preparation for the winter season.

skiing in Zermatt

Summer skiers have to be early risers, as the slopes are best enjoyed in the morning when the sun is not so strong. And the early start means that the afternoons are free, giving you a chance to pull on your hiking boots or relax on the terrace and top up your tan. Summer skiing on the glacier is a one-off experience that everyone should enjoy. The sports shops and ski schools in Zermatt are open in the summer to provide the necessary equipment and teaching so there’s really nothing to stop you from enjoying snow sports in the summertime.

5 reasons to go summer skiing in Zermatt

1. High-alpine skiing on the glacier

– not something you can do every day! It’s what makes summer skiing on the Theodul Glacier the perfect activity for anyone in search of that special experience.

group of four summer skiing in Zermatt

2. Summer skiing is sunny skiing

The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise enjoys over 2'500 hours of sunshine per year, making it the “sun lounge of Switzerland”. What does that mean for visitors? They get the bonus of a healthy tan, an endorphin boost and a shot of the “sunshine” vitamin D – all at no extra charge!

3.Summer skiers are early risers

You need to be up nice and early to make the most of your days’ skiing in the summer, as the slopes are only open until midday. Early birds have a clear advantage, in other words: the pistes are untouched, the snow is really grippy – and the Matterhorn shows off its chocolate-box side in the morning sun. At lunchtime you can enjoy a sumptuous meal on the terrace of one of the mountain restaurants, and in the afternoon there’s still time to swap your skis for hiking boots and explore the mountains on foot.

4. Celebrity alert!

In summer the number of celebrities in and around Zermatt is particularly high. You may well find yourself sharing a gondola with a genuine star from the world of winter sports, as many top athletes from all over the world come to the Theodul Glacier for summer training in preparation for their Alpine competitions in the winter season.

Training on the glacier

5. Snow Park - open in summer

With its imaginative layout and high-Alpine location, Zermatt Snow Park is a favourite meeting place for freestylers from all over the world. 

Snowpark Zermatt

Zermatt summer snow park

Freeskiers and snowboarders meet up on the Plateau Rosa in the summer – the location of the Zermatt Snow Park, one of the highest freestyle spots in the Alps. The summer park is as high in popularity at it is geographically, with something to suit every freestyler from rookie to professional:

  • Beginner slopestyle
  • Medium slopestyle
  • ProLine
  • Triple station
  • Rail garden
  • Trani-land: Transition park with mini-pipe feature
  • Mini shred


Time for a break: You can quickly recharge your batteries at the Shred Coffee, right by the Snow Park. Sun loungers, warm sunshine and DJ sounds provide a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy a fortifying snack from the grill, a refreshing drink or a coffee.

Event tip: The annual Spring Sesh in May promises an imaginative set-up with cool side events, tense challenges and trendy music – almost the whole month long. At the same time, visitors to the Park can take advantage of special offers such as discounts of up to 50% on ski passes (when purchased from the web shop).

To the Snowpark

SKI test in autumn

Test the latest ski models

From mid-october to the beginning of december ski enthusiasts can try out the latest models from 14 ski manufacturers on the wide pistes at Furggsattel.

Already in the autumn, before the hustle and bustle on the ski slopes gets going, we join with the Swiss Skitest Organisation to offer professional facilities for the annual ski test in the midst of our fascinating glacier world. During the ski test experts will help you find the skis that are just right for you and your level of ability. In addition to ski brand experts to help with your choice of ski, ski instructors will also be on hand with helpful tips.

Stöckli ski test center