Grindelwald and Zermatt in Christmas time
A traveler named Jlesliefam is planning a family trip to Switzerland in December, with two nights in Grindelwald and three nights in Tasch. They’re looking for activity suggestions in Grindelwald and advice on whether to buy tickets in advance for mountain excursions in Zermatt, particularly during Christmas time, as well as deciding on the Swiss Half Fare Card for transport savings.
- Focus on a couple of activities in Grindelwald to make the most of your one full day there.
- Buying mountain excursion tickets in advance may help avoid long queues, and you can choose your time for the return trip.
- Consider purchasing the Swiss Half Fare Card if you plan multiple excursions to save money.
- The Peak Pass is best for non-skiers, while skiers will need separate ski passes for mountain lifts.
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First I just want to thank everyone for their contributions to this forum that has been so helpful for all of us preparing to visit Switzerland! My family will be traveling by car and staying in Grindelwald the nights of 21, 22 (2 nights, 1 full day) of December and then in Tasch for 3 nights 23, 24, 25.
In Grindelwald we’re thinking of the options of the First cliff walk, sledging, wooden bike ride at night, short hike, and possibly skiing depending on snow conditions (the rest of the family are beginners). With only one full day we obviously can’t do it all. We had considered Jungfraujoch, but think we may be better off doing some of the cheaper options. Any suggestions?
In Tasch/Zermatt we obviously want to explore Zermatt and at least do Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise, maybe Sunnegga. This will be right during Christmas, and Zermatt will be full, any suggestions.
Besides asking for suggestions on how to prioritize our time I have two main questions:
1. Given that we will be in Zermatt during Christmas, is it advised that we buy tickets for the mountain excursions in advance? My hesitation is that it will lock us into a certain time. Maybe it would be wise to reserve just one of these options so can be assured of doing at least one and not be disappointed in case everything sells out?
2. Having our own car makes it not worth getting the Swiss Pass. But I keep going back and forth on the Swiss Half Fare Pass. Based on my research on the above it looks like we would pretty much break even or save just a little if we buy the pass. If I get it I’ll be afraid that I’ll base my decisions on trying to get my money’s worth. If I don’t, I’m afraid we’ll decide to do things where the pass would have come in handy and saved us. I guess there’s a price on flexibility, right? Nevertheless I would welcome any opinions on this.
Thanks again for your help!
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Hi Jlesliefam,
Based on your plans during your 2-day stay in Grindelwald, you probably won’t have time for a trip up the Jungfraujoch unless you skip the hike and skiing. Alternative suggestions if you have time would be to explore nearby mountain villages such as Wengen or Mürren. Have a look here for useful tips about skiing for beginners: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/winter/beginnerski
Since you have 3 days in Zermatt, sightseeing options besides the obvious (Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise, Sunnegga Rothorn) – you could do day trips to Brig (about 1 hour) or even Montreux (2.5 hours). Explore more options here: http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/activities
To answer the rest of your questions:
1. When you buy a return ticket for a mountain excursion, the ticket is valid on the date specified – you are free to choose your departure and return time. So if you’re sure about the day you’ll be travelling then I would book a ticket in advance to avoid the long queue at the counter or the ticket machine.
2. It’s a good idea to get the Swiss Half Fare Card if you plan on making a lot of mountain excursions or day trips from Zermatt or even Grindelwald. The more excursions, the more savings 🙂 Much depends on your itinerary, less excursions you probably don’t need it.
Enjoy your holiday!
Regards,
Anna
There is a “Peak Pass” option in Zermatt, that would cover all of the lifts that you are considering there. With the Peak Pass, you would not have a particular time assigned and would have unlimited use for the number of days that you purchase it for. Hope this is helpful.
Thanks for your answers, Anna! You’ve given me a lot to consider. I’ll look into those day trips. Can the “big 3” (Gornergrat, etc.) be done in one day?
Hmmm. That sounds like it might be a great option! Thanks so much. I’ll take a look at that. Very helpful!
Hi Jlesliefam,
Two peaks (mountains) yes, but three may be a bit ambitious (although not impossible) 🙂
regards,
Anna
Looks like for what we want to do the Peak Pass is the most cost effective – even after paying full price from Grindelwal d to First.
Question: If we rent skiing equipment, are we able to ski just using the Peak Pass? Or do we also need a ski pass?
Thanks,
Jonathan
You can easily do Zermatt’s three areas in one day, especially on skis. Without skis it is harder, but not impossible. Having said that if you do Klein Matterhorn and Gornergrat, it is debatable whether you then need to bother with Sunnegga. The most ‘important’ views are from Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn.
Some years ago a new bubble cable car was opened which makes it much easier to connect between the Klein Matterhorn area and Gornergrat. You can do it either way round:
Zermatt – Gornergrat – Riffelberg – Furi – Trockenersteg – Klein Matterhorn – Zermatt
Zermatt – Klein Matterhorn – Trockener Steg – Furi – Riffelberg – Gornergrat – Zermatt
To answer an earlier question, nothing ever ‘sells out’ in Zermatt as all the normal cableways are ‘turn up and go’ (otherwise ski-ing as a passtime wouldn’t work!)
The Peak pass is intended for non skiers, it covers just the main cableways and railways, not the ‘on snow’ ski lifts,
from the Peak Pass web page:
“Only for walkers and excursion participants (not valid for winter sports participants).”
Okay. That’s clarifying. It also brings up a couple other questions.
If we are skiing do we then need the Peak Pass if we have ski passes? Or do we need both to do the excursions and ski?
Also, probably more importantly, if I’m with adults who have skied very little, is skiing this area even a possibility?
Thanks again for all the great advice!
Jonathan
Just to clarify regarding the Peak Pass and skiing: I didn’t see any exclusion on the Peak Pass page on Matterhorn Paradise website.
If our family just wanted to stay on certain pistes, like those below the Gornergrat, is this possible with the Peak Pass only? Or is it not allowed to ski at all without a separate ski pass? Or is the issue that we would “get stuck” at the end of the piste without access to any ski lift? No way to keep to the main lifts covered by the Peak Pass?
Sorry for needing this clarification. Just trying to figure this out!
Gratefully,
Jonathan
If you are going to ski, you would need to buy a ski pass and the ski pass would cover all mountain transportation for the duration of your ski pass. The Peak Pass is designed for non-skiers (although there is an add on of 30 CHF to ski the “summer” areas but only through the end of October.)
If you want to do both skiing and using the lifts for other things, the ski pass is all you need for the days that you’ll be in Zermatt. It includes the Gornergrat train which transports skiers as well as non-skiers. If you’re not skiing, then the Peak Pass is the way to go (buy according to the number of days you will use it.) I would also suggest that you contact the Zermatt tourist office directly to confirm current pricing and details.
Thanks so much for clarifying this! You’ve all given me so much helpful information. Now I just need to really figure out if/when we’re going to ski because that will decide which passes we need and don’t need. The other four in my family are beginner skiers but a couple of them are excited about possibly skiing in the alps. I assume doing our skiing in Grindelwald (if enough snow) and then doing the mountain excursions without skiing in Zermatt would be the ideal with beginner skiers.
I also noticed the prices for the Tasch-Zermatt shuttle train vary by quite a bit. I’ve seen $9.66 on trainline and $18 on matterhorngotthardbahn (both return). Is the difference because the cheaper one makes me choose a time and the more expensive one is more flexible?
Hi Jonathan,
if you are skiing then you should buy the ski pass. You’ll find the ski map at http://www.zermatt.ch/en/Lifts-pistes/Panokarte-Ausflugsberge/Piste-map-Winter-panorama. If you are beginners then the blue ski routes are for you.
Make sure to have a look at http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/winter/beginnerski. You’ll find there many practical information if this will be the first time for you skiing in Switzerland, like costs of rent and tips for beginners.
Take care,
Ildiko
Thank you again to all of you who posted to answer my many questions!
I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to wait until we get there to buy passes and decide whether to ski near Grindelwald or Zermatt. I just don’t want to get locked into doing something and not be able to for some reason. I’m hoping it won’t make that much difference in price for waiting. In fact it doesn’t look like I can even get a Peak Pass until I come – since it appears to require a key card to be mailed out. That doesn’t seem very tourist friendly!
At any rate, we’re looking forward to Christmas in Switzerland and I’m sure we will enjoy our time!
Blessings!
Jonathan
Wishing you wonderful holidays in Switzerland – I’d love to read a trip review/report when you return if you are so inclined. In advance of your trip, you might enjoy the YouTube video of the village Christmas tree being delivered by helicopter (Air Zermatt) to the plaza in front of the train station.
Hi Jonathan,
Regarding the Peak Pass, if you would like to use your Swiss Half Fare Card to get the discount, then yes, you can buy the passes at the sales points or in the Matterhorn App. But yes, you need a KeyCard first. Peak Pass prices are fixed prices – they depend just on the season. They won’t be cheaper or more expensive if you buy them earlier.
I am sure you will have a wonderful Christmas in Switzerland! 🙂
Take care,
Ildiko
We’ll try to remember to give a report after our trip. I watched the video. Amazing!
Thanks for your help!
Jonathan
Ildiko,
Got it! Thanks for the clarification.
We’re looking forward to our amazing trip – after visiting our daughter in Hungary.
Gratefully, Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
Re: your question about shuttle from Täsch to Zermatt.
You can check the train schedules from Täsch to Zermatt on the SBB timetable. For quick access, download the App. The prices are half-price by default and supersaver tickets (discounted point-to-point tickets that have fixed route and time) are indicated with the % icon. If you prefer a flexible timing, always get a regular ticket. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, a regular return ticket from Täsch to Zermatt is CHF8.20.
And just to add a little to the discussion about skiing in Zermatt, if you prefer to ski in just one area, just get an area-specific ski pass. There are basically three skiing regions in Zermatt – Gornergrat, Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn and Sunnegga-Blauherd. All three has an area for beginners. For instance the ski pass specific to Sunnegga cost CHF53 for 1 day and includes access to the Sunnegga funicular, Sunnegga-Blauherd combi cableway, the snowpark and two chairlifts. Some areas also offer afternoon ski-pass which is cheaper than a whole day ski pass 🙂
Regards,
Anna
Thanks Anna!
This is all helpful to know.
Jonathan
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