Zermatt divides neatly into two seasons. In winter (December to April) it is one of the best ski resorts in Europe, with 360 kilometres of piste spread across three valleys and a glacier that allows skiing year-round. In summer it is a hiking destination with trails at every level, from lakeshore walks to the high route to Saas-Fee. The Matterhorn dominates both seasons — it is the reason most people come, and it does not disappoint.
The village itself is car-free: electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages handle local transport. The centre is compact enough to walk end-to-end in twenty minutes. Allow at least two days to reach the high viewpoints; rushing Zermatt misses the point.