The All You Need to Know Guide to Zermatt

The formula is simple: Ski - Aprês Ski - Spa - Repeat. Maybe throw in a fondue or two in the middle of all that.

Jokes aside, there is so much more to Zermatt (and its famous chocolate-shaped mountain “The Matterhorn”) than meets the eye.

It is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Zermatt not only offers year-round skiing (yes, even in the summer the glacier is open). You can also go to Glacier’s paradise (Europe’s highest reachable point by gondola), go snow sledding, husky sledding, paragliding, and during the summer, it is every climber's dream!

For those avid skiers, you can wake up in Switzerland, ski down to Cervinia (Italy) to eat pasta and be back on time for après-ski and fondue dinner. Also, these hills host the second-largest ski run in the world with 22 km of skiing bliss.

Being a world-class ski resort, the shopping is good — is not as fancy shmanzy (sp?) as shopping in St. Moritz, but again, we are here for the experience and not so much the glitz and glam (which, don't worry, you will find some of it here as well), and the food is truly great! But the best part of this town is the vibes... The real cool kids, the aficionados, the “only those who know” people, and that makes it feel that much more authentic.

If you are a parent, Zermatt is also the place for you!

Cars were banned a long time ago. This makes it the safest, cleanest, purest place on earth. Horse-pulled carriages are a common means of transportation. During Christmas, this town converts into a true Christmas wonderland, making you feel inside a movie! Many hotels will have kids clubs and designated areas for them, and there is an abundance of instructors for your little ones to work on their skills. It is a win-win for everyone in this winter wonderland!

What about those free spirits looking to ski hard and party even harder? The après ski scene here is one of the best out there, and we had to do the horrible job of trying them all out for you.

So here is our list for anything and everything:

Après all day

• Cervo is one of the world’s most famous places, and there is a reason for it.

• For a mid-mountain cap, Chez Vrony wins the game.

• If you love that ski-right into your après-ski, Hennu Stall gives those mountain/dive bar vibes that everybody loves and appreciates.

• The post is host (pun intended) to some of the coolest DJs, cocktails and crowds in town

• Hotel Backstage hosts Zermatt unplugged every April, and will remind you of it during its year-round events at their super-chic theater that turns into a nightclub.

Recover

• The CBD Spa at the Schloss Hotel

• The Spa at the OMNIA Hotel

• The Spa at Cervo Hotel.

Day trip

When possible (and if the pockets allow) we absolutely recommend doing the Polar Express to St. Moritz after, the views are out of this world.

Get the Swiss pass and go out exploring the Alps and all the wonderful little towns that live within its skirts.

And please do get an international lift ticket. You can go see the Glacier paradise and descent into Cervinia (Italy). Have that be on a lift, gondola, skis or even rolling. It doesn't matter. As long as you do it, it is worth it!

Zermatt hosts its fair share of Michelin-star restaurants like:

• Potato Fine Foods

• Brasserie Uno

• After Seven

• Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni

• Capri

For some mid-mountain fuel, Chez Vrony has a famous burger. The RiffelHaus Hotel is a staple. Madre Nostra at Cervo has very cool Middle Eastern / Italian vibes and Findlerhof has some of the best views in town. Oh! And don't forget to get some Hot Cocoe at "Igloodorf" for the gram.

But generally, you will find every cute little corner restaurant will be amazing, and charming, so there is really no downside here.

We do recommend downloading the Matterhorn App and making reservations with time, especially when going on high season.

For those more budget conscious, there is always our old friend Mickey D’s and a supermarket centrally located in town.