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Ski Resort Zermatt in Zermatt: Position on map

Review Zermatt: Backcountry Skiing

Skigebiete-Test
Category Freeride: Official review by Snow-Online.com
Helpful?
  • Guided tours for freeride skiers
  • Patrolled off-piste runs
  • Avalanche training offered
  • Off-piste area
  • Information on avalanches available
    Scores:
    Freeride 10 / 10
    Overall score: 89 / 100

    Freeride hotspots on Rothorn, Stockhorn and Schwarzsee Paradise

    One unique feature of Zermatt is obvious when you first glance at the trail map. In addition to the blue, red and black groomers, there are also many yellow-marked off-piste trails. These 36 kilometres of runs are particularly well-suited to anybody who would like to slowly test the water in freeriding, as these slopes are secured against the typical Alpine hazards. The most beautiful of these three freeride areas is located around the 3,542m Stockhorn, which is best reached via the Gornergratbahn cog railway. From Gornergrat you can then take trails no. 29 and 26 to Gant. From there, the gondola carries skiers up to the Hohtälli (3,286m), which is the entry point to the Stockhorn freeride area.

    Heli-skiing with Air Zermatt

    Zermatt is one of the few ski areas in the European Alps where heli-skiing is possible. In Air Zermatt, the ski area even has its very own helicopter service. Air Zermatt’s main role for over 45 years has been mountain rescue and that still rings true today. Nowadays, however, the operators are also offering a broad selection of heli-skiing tours. From 370 CHF (as of February 2016), Air Zermatt flies to various landing spots around Zermatt. The price includes an experienced guide. You can get more information on Air Zermatt’s heli-skiing offers here.

    Finding a guide

    If a helicopter flight blows your budget but you still want to explore untouched backcountry, we recommend heading over to the Zermatt Alpin Center. In addition to freeride guides, the Zermatt Alpin Center also offers mountain guides for hiking in summer among the 4,000m+ peaks surrounding Zermatt.

    Freeride

    User Reviews

    Karl (Age: 61-70)
    Skill: Pro • Travelled as: Group
    Karl rated the following categories
    Kalle (Age: 51-60)
    Skill: Pro • Travelled as: Alone
    Kalle rated the following categories
    Uwe (Age: 36-40)
    Skill: Pro • in Feb 2022
    Travelled as: Couple
    There are many possibilities. When the lifts are then open after all
    Uwe rated the following categories
    Julian (Age: 46-50)
    Skill: Pro • in Oct 2017
    Travelled as: Family
    Thanks to Air Zermatt
    Julian rated the following categories
    Florian Weis (Age: 31-35)
    Skill: Pro • in Jan 2007
    Travelled as: n.V.
    Heliskiing, Freeriding, Super demanding pistes – only in Zermatt!
    Zermatt is one of the few places in the Alps where Heliskiing is offered. The helicopters of Zermatt air bring adventure-hungry freeriders to the most beautiful deep snow slopes around Zermatt. But... Read complete review
    Florian Weis rated the following categories
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