Zermatt Beginner Skiing

Getting started

Since you won’t be travelling the entire ski area, you’ll be able to purchase a special pass to get you to the main beginner’s spots. The Zermatt beginners ski pass gives you access to the Sunnegga funicular, Sunnegga-Blauherd combi cableway, Leisee Shuttle, Eisfluh chairlift, Findeln chairlift, and Wolli’s Beginners Park. This should be more than enough to get you around on your first trip to the mountains.

The valley station at Trockener Steg has a small rope lift with a flat slope for practising. This is ideal if it’s your first-ever time setting foot on the slopes. It’s also on the Italian border, with glorious views of the Theodul Glacier and the Swiss and Italian Alps. There are more slopes for beginners at the Theodul Gletcher Beginner Area with easy wide slopes for practising turns.

The best location for new skiers in Zermatt is the Wolli Beginners Park at Sunnegga. As a new skier, you won’t be moving around as much and it’s easy to get cold when you’re not used to the altitude. This area is in a sheltered location that gets lots of sun, so you can concentrate on learning away from the harsh elements.

Wolli Beginners Park

Away from the hustle and bustle of the main pistes, it gives you a relaxed and unintimidating space to build up your confidence. With five magic carpets, you’ll find queuing for lifts a quick and efficient process, maximising your time on the slopes.

There’s a reason that Wolli Beginners Park is a meeting point for many major ski schools. You can access it via the Leisee Shuttle funicular in the centre of town, so there’s no need to brave a chair lift too early or ski back down after a full day of lessons.

There are several restaurants nearby, so you’ll have a spot to unwind at the end of the day or to meet the rest of your group for lunch. Perched by the frozen Leisee Lake, the stunning views of the mountain peaks and the majestic Matterhorn will motivate you to progress so you can get out and explore.

Progression

Nailed your snow plough and ready to try your first real runs? With 21% of Zermatt’s main slopes being blues, you’ll be a skiing superstar in no time.

Eisfluh, Findeln and Blauherd are three pistes serving Wolli Park that are marked as the Slow Slopes. They’re designed for relaxed skiing and those looking to build their confidence. Skiers shouldn’t race through this area, so it’s ideal for your first steps off the nursery slopes. There are a lot of easy runs in Sunnegga so you can gradually start to explore as you progress. Avoid the middle of the slope from Blauherd to Sunnegga as it can be unexpectedly steep for a new skier.

Now you’re nailing your turns, head over to The Schwarzee Paradise. This family-friendly area has lots of easy slopes to practice on. But you may want to take a lift route back down as there are some reds back to the valley that may be too challenging for you. This is also true for Gornergrat, which has gentle slopes and panoramic views. There isn’t an easy route down, but the gondola will take you home safely.

Children

Children under 10 in Zermatt ski for free, so it’s a fantastic no-pressure option for your child’s first ski trip. If they spend at least one night in the Zermatt- Matterhorn area, they’ll receive a free Wolli card. As well as other resort perks, your kids will get free use of the buses and lifts and a Wolli welcome kit. If your child is under 16 and needs a lift pass, they’ll get 50% off their ticket and get to travel free on Saturdays.

As well as the sheltered and sunny position of Wolli’s Beginners Park, it has a number of features that make it ideal for young children learning to ski. Fun and engaging activities like hooped slaloms and roller seesaws will keep your kids entertained and excited about learning to ski. With regular visits from Wolli the Skiing Sheep, a first ski trip in Zermatt will be a magical experience.

After a day of lessons, you can leave the kids to run around in the play park. Or treat them to a hot chocolate at one of the four restaurants with beautiful views of the lake and 4000m peaks.

Ski schools in Zermatt

To become a skiing superstar by the end of the week, you’ll need a great ski school and a knowledgeable instructor. Zermatt attracts some of the best ski instructors in the alps, so you’ll be in capable hands.

Zermatters Ski School is the largest in Zermatt, with around 200 instructors. They have private and group lessons for all ages. If you want one on one instruction, Stoked was the first private ski school in Zermatt. They provide private lessons for all ages and group lessons for children and teenagers.

Mixed groups

It can be hard if you’re one of the only novice skiers in a group of experts. It’s easy to feel left out when you’re struggling to turn while your friends and family are flying down blacks. But there are still plenty of chances for you to spend time with the rest of your group.

If they are kind and patient, afternoons out with more advanced skiers will help you pick up lots of extra tips and tricks to help you excel at your new sport. The Sunnegga and Gornergrat areas have a varied mix of terrain, so your group can take turns guiding you between more exciting runs.

If you’re wiped out from a day of ski classes, there are lots of mountain restaurants with gondola access where you can meet your group for drinks or lunch. You can take the Gornergrat Railway, the highest open-air train in Europe, to the restaurant at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Here you’ll find alpine activities, panoramic views, and a restaurant with traditional Swiss cuisine.