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From Zermatt: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Ticket for round trip by cable car
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Validity: All day
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8 Highlights at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
- The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is located on the 3883 m high Klein Matterhorn.
- The highest mountain railroad station in Europe at 3821 m above sea level can be reached within 45 min by gondola from Zermatt.
- From the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise you walk in 3.5 hours with a mountain guide to the summit of the Breithorn (4164 m above sea level).
- At the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise lies the famous Theodul glacier.
- 15 m below the Theodul Glacier is the accessible Glacier Palace.
- The summer ski area on the Theodul glacier is the highest in Europe and is used by international ski athletes as a training location.
- The Gravity Snowpark offers the best conditions for jumping and slalom skiing.
- In winter you can use up to 360 km of slopes in the ski area, in summer 21 km.
What awaits you at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
At 3821 m above sea level, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is home to the highest mountain railway station in Europe. Professional mountain guides start from here with mountain hikers to the 4000-mountain peak Breithorn
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the summit of an international ski resort open all year round. In summer it even becomes the largest ski resort in Europe. Many famous international winter sportsmen are attracted here in summer.
Klein Matterhorn at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Klein Matterhorn sits at 3,883 m above sea level. Its observation platform provides a view that often extends all the way to the 4,810-meter-high Mont Blanc in France. The Klein Matterhorn is separated from the Matterhorn by the Theodul Glacier.
Theodul Glacier at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Theodul Glacier combines two glaciers at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. They stretch between the Breithorn and the Matterhorn and are referred to as the Upper and Lower Theodul Glacier, belonging to the Gorner Glacier system.
Furi
Located at 1,867 m above sea level, Furi is about three kilometers south of Zermatt. Furi serves as a transportation hub within the ski area. From Furi, there are direct connections via cable cars to:
- Zermatt
- Trockener Steg
- Schwarzsee
- Riffelberg
The cable car to Riffelberg connects the Klein Matterhorn ski area with that of Gornergrat. You can reach the Glacier Garden Dossen from Furi in about 30 minutes via a suspension bridge that spans the Gornerschlucht. It is always open and showcases evidence from the last Ice Age.
The Furi forest playground and the Ricola herb garden near Blatten ensure fun and entertainment for the whole family. There’s also the campfire site at Schweigmatten nearby.
Schwarzsee
Schwarzsee lies at the foot of the Matterhorn at 2,552 m above sea level. The mountain ridge of the same name (at 2,583 m above sea level) can be accessed from both Furgg and Furi. It houses the mountain railway station. The view of the Hörnligrat on the Matterhorn with the Hörnlihütte is particularly impressive from here. Zermatt is also easily visible.
From the Schwarzsee station, the Matterhorn Glacier Trail and ascents of the Matterhorn begin. You can reach the Hörnlihütte (at 3,260 m above sea level) in about two hours. In winter, the ski runs pass through here. Schwarzsee is the spot within the ski area where the sun first reaches in the morning.
Dry Steg
About a kilometer from the tongue of the Theodul Glacier, you'll find the summit station Dry Steg. This ridge stretches between altitudes of 2900 and 3000 meters above sea level between Zermatt and Furggsattel. The slopes here are particularly steep.
Furggsattel
The Furggsattel is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. This mountain pass is slightly higher than the nearby Theodul Pass, reaching 3349 meters above sea level. You can access it from Dry Steg via the chairlift. The Furggsattel is bordered by the mountain peaks Furgghorn (3451 m above sea level) and Theodulhorn (3469 m above sea level).
Glacier Palace
The Glacier Palace is also part of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It lies about fifteen meters below the surface of the Theodul Glacier. You can reach the Glacier Palace via an elevator. It showcases not only very old ice formations but also intricately carved sculptures in the ice.
Getting to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise by Cable Cars
In the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise - Schwarzsee area, there are five gondola lifts, two cable cars, and one 3S cable car. During the winter season, five ski lifts operate here.
The fastest way to get from Zermatt to the Klein Matterhorn is with the 8-person gondola lift Matterhorn Express. The ride takes place over four sections and can take up to 45 minutes including transfers. The lifts overcome about 2200 meters in altitude from Zermatt to the Klein Matterhorn.
A special experience is a ride on the 3S cable car. It features heated seats and gets you to the highest cable car station in Europe in just nine minutes. The three-cable gondola lift is a large cabin lift.
Mountain railroads to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
| Tal station | Altitude (m a.s.l.) | Mountain station | Altitude (m a.s.l.) | Lift type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zermatt | 1638 | Furi | 1871 | 8-seater gondola lift Matterhorn-Express 1 |
| Furi | 1871 | Schwarzsee | 2583 | 8-seater gondola Matterhorn Express 2 |
| Schwarzsee | 2583 | Furgg | 2432 | 8-seater gondola lift Matterhorn Express 3.1 |
| Furgg | 2432 | Trockener Steg | 2939 | 8-seater gondola lift Matterhorn Express 3.2 |
| Furi | 1871 | Riffelberg | 2582 | 8-seater gondola |
| Trockener Steg | 2929 | Klein Matterhorn | 3821 | 3S Bahn Matterhorn Glacier Ride |
| Furi | 1867 | Trockener Steg | 2929 | 125-seater aerial tramway |
| Trockener Steg | 2920 | Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | 3820 | 100-seater aerial tramway |
| Trockener Steg | 2913 | Furggsattel | 3369 | 6-seater chairlift |
| Furgg | 2427 | Sandy Ground | 2786 | 4-seater chairlift |
Restaurants at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
On the way at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise you will always find restaurants and ski bars. The stations of the mountain railroads are usually also attached to restaurants.
Restaurant Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
At an altitude of 3883 m above sea level, you will find the highest mountain restaurant in Europe. The restaurant even has a fully equipped conference room. It is designed for up to 72 people.
On the menu are daily changing menus of the Valais cuisine. Burgers, pasta and stir-fry dishes are among them. A show kitchen lets you watch the preparation. Large panoramic windows provide a fantastic view of the mountains.
The building meets the latest environmental standards and supplies itself with 100% energy. A photovoltaic system on the south side takes care of this. A microbiological wastewater treatment plant completes the environmental concept.
open daily: 09:15 to 15:45
Schwarzsee Mountain Restaurant
The Schwarzsee mountain restaurant serves traditional Swiss cuisine at 2600 meters above sea level.
The gondola takes you up to the Schwarzsee station above Furi in about 20 minutes. On the way you already have breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.
Open daily during the season 09:00-15:30 Summer season: beginning of July - middle of September Winter season: 2nd week of December - 3rd week of April
Activities at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a year-round paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Snowshoe hikers can enjoy an exceptionally beautiful glacier trail that brings them close to towering peaks.
Activities at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise include:
- Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding
- Backcountry skiing
- Snowshoe hiking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering and climbing
- Backcountry skiing and cross-country skiing
- Mountain biking
In summer, the trail from Schwarzsee to Zermatt is a great ride for mountain bikers. It’s advisable to undertake mountain tours and via ferrata with professional guides whenever possible. Guided snowshoe hikes over the glacier trail are also available.
ski resort Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
This ski resort is regularly awarded as the best ski area in the Alps. The famous Matterhorn is always in view. From Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can gaze at 38 peaks that are at least 4,000 meters high.
You can access 360 km of slopes in the Zermatt ski area, including the Italian part, Breuil Cervinia. The winter sports area stretches from about 1,600 to 3,899 m above sea level. In summer, there are 21 km of well-maintained slopes available.
Young people aged up to 16 can ski or snowboard for free on Saturdays.
The ski schools in Zermatt offer lessons for adults, teens, and children.
Offer for ski tours at Swiss Activities:
Gravity Snowpark at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Snowpark is a fun park located on the Plateau Rosà at the Theodul Glacier. This freestyle hotspot is the highest in Europe, situated near the Furggsattel Glacier Lift at an altitude of 3,250 m. You’ll find six creative lines spanning around 1,200 m.
The Funslope is also suitable for kids, providing an exciting yet playful descent. Depending on your skill level, you can take speedy steep turns, ride through tunnels, or go over hills. Some obstacles along the way make the route even more engaging.
Winter highlights in the Snowpark include:
- Funslope for beginners & advanced
- Beginner Line with 12 jumps and 12 boxes
- Boardercross track
- Rail Garden with 8 rails
- Slopestyle with 3 rails and 3 jumps
From Zermatt, you can get here from Trockener Steg via the Matterhorn Glacier Ride (3S gondola), the Furggsattel chairlift, or the cable car.
Open: October to mid-May
Snowshoeing at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is a path that takes about 5 hours to complete. It’s popular for its stunning views of the Matterhorn and is offered as a guided snowshoe hike.
Offering Matterhorn Glacier Trail at Swiss Activities:
Snow School at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
All year round, you can take advantage of a snow school at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Here, you get the chance to improve your skiing and snowboarding skills under the guidance of a highly trained snow sports instructor. The ski instructors use modern teaching aids for this purpose. Classes are available in groups or as private lessons.
Swiss Activities Offers for Ski School:
Swiss Activities Offers for Freestyle Ski School:
Hiking at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Hikes around the Schwarzsee are very popular. Here you can feel the Matterhorn very close. Hikes between the individual mountain railway stations are also ideal in the summer months. Then you can continue with the cable cars to Zermatt.
Some hiking trails at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise:
Säumerweg: Trockener Steg - Furi
- Distance: 7.6 km
- Duration: 2:30 hours
- Altitude difference: 1165 hm
- Season: June to October
Matterhorn Glacier Trail: Trockener Steg - Schwarzsee
- Distance: 6.5 km
- Duration: 2:00 hours
- Altitude difference: 363 hm
- Season: June to September
Larch path: Schwarzsee - Furi
- Distance: 4.4 km
- Duration: 1:40 hours
- difference in altitude: 716 hm
- Season: June to September
Climate at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
The air is very thin at 3800 m above sea level. Not everyone can tolerate these heights, especially during athletic efforts. Headaches are not uncommon from 2500 m above sea level. Because of the lower air pressure, it is important to acclimatize a bit first in order not to risk any damage to your health. Pulmonary edema can be life threatening. Before visiting the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you should talk to your doctor about whether these altitudes could be a health risk for you.
Temperatures hardly reach more than +5 °C even in summer, thus maintaining the snow cover. In the months of January and February, it is not uncommon for temperatures to reach -35°C.
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a very special destination for a winter vacation, even in summer. The huge mountains all around and always the view of the striking Matterhorn make the vacation an unforgettable experience.