Late February or mid March for skiing in Zermatt?
A traveler named MaddieL is planning a trip to Switzerland at the end of February or mid-March, focusing on skiing in Zermatt for a day and exploring the town for another day before heading to Germany. They seek advice on weather conditions, public transport reliability, and other activities in the cold season, as they are first-time visitors.
Expect good snow conditions in Zermatt during late February and mid-March, but avoid Easter week to miss the crowds. Consider purchasing a Saver Day Pass for travel between Zurich and Zermatt, especially if bought 6-8 weeks in advance for better pricing. Public transport is generally reliable but extreme weather can occasionally affect cable cars and chair lifts, so keep an eye on weather forecasts. Explore the beautiful Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn for snowshoeing or winter hiking activities besides skiing.
AI-generated summary-
HI All,
We are looking to travel to Switzerland End of February 2019, or mid March 2019. I am trying to figure out if there is still a good amount of snow on Zermat during those times? Main goal is to ski/snowboard for a day, spend another day exploring the town and then we will leave and head off to Germany. We are looking to avoid the holiday times when families tend to travel for a ski week…
So we would fly into Zurich and take the train from the airport to Zermatt, spend 2 full days then take the train back to airport and fly to Germany…
does weather ever effect public transport? Any and all tips are greatly appreciated as we have never been to Switzerland before! Are there other activities that we can do to see more of the country side even when it is cold?
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Hello MaddieL and wecome to MySwissAlps!
< still a good amount of snow on Zermat during those times? > YES.
< We are looking to avoid the holiday times when families tend to travel for a ski week… > Then select a week in March, that does not begin or end with Easter.
Thank you so much for the response Snowman !
I will keep looking at that time of year to book our trip as that is the easiest time for us to take off of work. And we fly from the west coast of US so we have to take a day out for the travel time 🙂
Hi MaddieL,
I skied there in late February a few years ago and didn’t find it very busy. Most Swiss cantons don’t always share the same school holidays but Easter is a big one certainly and a good time to avoid going skiing.Weather can affect cable cars or chair lifts but not trains usually no. Zermatt did get cut off completely though a couple winters ago as the a snow storm dumped several feet of snow on the train tracks which couldn’t be cleared for a couple days (there is no road access to Zermatt). Certainly that doesn’t happen very often!
Once your dates are set and if you are just traveling on 2 days (to/from Zermatt and Zurich airport) you might want to look at buying a Saver Day Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/sa verdaypass.
If buying it about 6-8 weeks out you can get it for as low as 52chf (it get higher as you get closer to travel date).The train timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable for 2019 will be released in mid-October and you can find schedules and prices for point to point tickets there.
Hi Lucas,
Thank you for reply! I can see extreme weather stopping transportation, but as you said, that doesn’t happen very often 🙂 And we have seen it effect the actual mountains we have been on when there is wind/white outs, etc..so we are familiar with that as well. So I am happy to hear, it operates under same circumstances in Switzerland.
I will take a look at the Saver Day pass! Thank you for that tip. That is a great price! This isn’t the pass that is going to discontinue in 2019, right? I have read they are not going to offer a pass from then on. We will only really be in Zermatt for 2 full days, we hope to make it back in the future to explore for hiking and such in summer time…
What other activities might be available during this time of year? Beside skiing…I have heard Zermatt is magical even just walking around and spending time in during the winter 🙂
I will keep an eye out for the timetable as I am hoping to have our plane tickets purchased by mid next month!
Thank you again for all your info, it is much appreciated!
Also, I just read your bio that you lived in Zurich, there is a chance when we train back to Zurich, we stay an extra day to explore a bit before heading to Germany. Would love to know any tips for Zurich as well..even if its cold 🙂 we can handle the cold weather
Thanks again!
The Swiss Transfer Ticket (http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstransferticket) is being phased out next year to be replaced (basically) by the Saver Day Pass.
I spent a weekend in Zermatt and thought it was really very cool. Outside of skiing there is visiting the Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn (as the main activities outside of snowshoeing / winter hiking).
Zurich in February probably isn’t terribly exciting. 🙂 Many museums, galleries, cafes and restaurants etc. Think high-end culture I suppose. What are your interests / what do you think you might like to do in a city visit?
For some general ideas, look here: http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich/activities
Ok that makes sense about the passes. Thank you for that info!
and good to know that we could easily spend 2 days there and enjoy it. I have read some people say one day is enough but I have also read how gorgeous it is during winter. Like a chalet paradise lol.
and museums and galleries are more my thing than my fiances. But I will check the link out and explore what there is to do 🙂
Thank you again! This information really helped me navigate more of the planning process and understanding of how the transport works!
<<“and museums and galleries are more my thing than my fiances. “>>
What kind of museums?
Slowpoke
Hi Slowpoke,
I am not partial to any particular kind. I have been in the likes of modern art to more historical ones. I do adore places like the National Gallery in London…spent hours..days..there.
Hi MaddieL-
There are plenty of world class art museums.
I was wondering about history museums, transport/rail museums, and specialized museums in particular towns or regions.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/ en-us/art-museums-and-collections.html
http://www.myswitzerland.com/ en-us/art-museums-of-switzerland.html?regionid=003
The Rietberg is stunning- not large but powerful.
http://www.rietberg.ch/en-gb/home.aspx
In nearby Winterthur,
http://www.bundesmuseen.ch/ro emerholz/index.html?lang=en
It is full of masterpeices in a very nice setting
In Luzern- 1 hour from Zürich-and 3 minutes from the main station:
http://www.rosengart.ch/en/we lcome
Strong on Picassos and about 100 Klees
Slowpoke
I honestly would duck into any of those. Especially history museums…if we were to be in a specific region, we would try to spend a full day in Zurich before heading to Germany.
Oops- I thought you meant art museums.
I updated that post while you were replying.
http://www.nationalmuseum.ch/ e/zuerich/
Right by the main station
Slowpoke
Not to worry! All that you posted and linked look fabulous! Thank you for your information.
I’m not biased to a particular museum either..be it art..history..food…automotives…
so i appreciate your responses!
I think after we visit during this cold season, we will have to make a other trip to see this beautiful country in the spring/summer time.
<<“I think after we visit during this cold season, we will have to make a other trip to see this beautiful country in the spring/summer time.”>>
I go in May or June, staying at lower altitudes, and in September, when I include higher altitudes.
Trail in the Alps at altitudes above 2000 meters don’t really open up until about June 15th.
The middle 2 are from late September.
The last is from June. Colors are a bit excessive; I was playing with Photoshop, but that was taken on a rather colorful film.
Slowpoke
Oh wow, you are so knowledgeable!
Thank you! This is all so helpful while I am planning 🙂
i hear the train rides in the summer are quite breathtaking with the green mountains and wild flowers. We hope to experience one day in the near future!
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