Matterhorn Snow Conditions

The majestic Matterhorn is one of the highest mountains in the Alps, with its summit reaching 4,478m. Located on the Swiss-Italian border, the mountain boasts spectacular skiing conditions, with the linked resorts of Zermatt and Cervinia making up the ski area, Matterhorn Ski Paradise, with its 313km of terrain. Known for its snow-sure high-altitude slopes in the winter ski season, the area is also a popular summer skiing destination, with the glacial slopes open all year long. With an annual snowfall of around 900cm, conditions are excellent in the Matterhorn Ski Paradise ski area, with skiing down to the village level available throughout the season.   

 

Although a haven for intermediate skiiers and advanced skiers, the ski area is enormous, and offers plenty of terrain and ample challenges for all level of skier. The Matterhorn Ski Paradise is accessed from Cervinia, Zermatt or Valtournenche, and is one of the largest lift-linked ski areas in the world. With the main resorts of Cervinia and Zermatt located at 2,050m and 1,620m respectively, there's plenty of high-altitude skiing here, with 313km of terrain served by an extensive system of 71 lifts, including the highest cable-car in the world. The skiing takes place in three distinct areas, the Gornergrat, the Rothorn and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Schwarzsee Paradise. The latter region links Zermatt with Cervinia, and offers a huge array of intermediate terrain, including some stunning long cruising runs, as well as giving access to the slopes of the glacier. The gentlest slopes are found on the Rothorn and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, with some beginners' terrain also located in the Gornergrat region, whilst Sunnegga and some parts of Rothorn offer more challenging slopes. The Matterhorn has the largest and highest summer skiing area in the continent, featuring 25km of terrain on the Klein Matterhorn, served by 8 lifts which remain open all year.

 

The region also boasts the longest winter ski season in Europe, open from November to May, meaning wonderful conditions not only during the peak season months, but in the spring, when the temperatures start to rise and there is plenty of sunshine. The lifts stay open late into the day, often not closing until 4.30pm in the winter. There is snowmaking on the lower slopes, which have a tendency to see deteriorating conditions as the season stretches into April and May. Matterhorn Ski Paradise area sees upper slope averages in the winter hovering around 192cm during March, the best month of the year.