Zermatt for Non-Skiers: What to Do in Winter (2026–27)
If half your group skis and half doesn't, Zermatt might be the perfect compromise. Everyone meets for lunch on a terrace facing the Matterhorn.
Top things to do
- Gornergrat railway — a cogwheel train climbing to over 3,000 m with a panorama of 29 peaks above 4,000 m, including the Matterhorn.
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise — Europe's highest cable car station at 3,883 m, with a glacier palace inside the ice.
- Winter walks — groomed trails to mountain hamlets and restaurants like those around Findeln and Riffelalp.
- Sledding — runs near Rotenboden/Riffelberg on the Gornergrat line.
- The village — the Matterhorn Museum, the mountaineers' cemetery and old wooden barns in the Hinterdorf.
- Spa afternoon — the reason you booked a spa hotel.
Where to stay
Mont Cervin Palace
Zermatt · Valais
Grand hotel in the center of car-free Zermatt with a large spa and indoor/outdoor pool.
Check rates & availability →The Omnia
Zermatt · Valais
Design hotel on a rock above the village, with an indoor-outdoor pool and Matterhorn views.
Check rates & availability →FAQ
Is Zermatt worth it if you don't ski?
Yes. The car-free village, Matterhorn views, cogwheel railway, winter walks and spa hotels make it one of the most rewarding Alpine villages for non-skiers.
Can non-skiers go up the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?
Yes. Pedestrian tickets cover the cable cars to the top station at 3,883 m, with a viewing platform and a glacier palace carved into the ice.
How many days do non-skiers need in Zermatt?
Two to three days covers Gornergrat, the Glacier Paradise, a winter walk to a mountain restaurant and a spa afternoon.