Zermatt - Ski Pass and Hire Questions

Hello All,

Just booked onto a trip to Zermatt for the end of January which of course really looking forward to! I haven't been to Ski in Switzerland for quite a while as recent trips have been to the large French resorts of Avoriaz, La Plagne, Tignes etc. It nearly looked like a ski-trip free year!! But fortunately managed to find a plan B!

I have a couple of questions which I hope members can provide an answer. I am looking to get my ski pass in advance as the tour operator has a better price than you can currently buy at the resort. The question is should I buy the local pass or one that includes the trip down to Italy? The difference in price equates to 1.2 days worth of Italy 'Extensions' on the local pass - so if I make use of the international pass for more than a day, I'm quid's in. But... I've heard the route between the two is often closed due to high winds? Is this a fairly frequent event? Hence it would help me to decide on which pass to buy. For reference, I'm a fairly advance intermediate skier – so often eat up the miles in a good amount of time so would be confident of dipping into Italy at least twice... depending on the weather.

Secondly, ski hire. Yes, although I am quite a good skier, I have never bought my own kit for one reason or another. Any good ski hire shops in Zermatt? Or best to use Ski-Set internet site for those discounted bookings?

Thanks in advance – I can't wait!!!!

There are 2 ways to reach Plateau Rosa from Zermatt, where you access Cervinia. Both start from Trockener Steg. The KM cable car is the fast route and delivers you to the very top of the system. There are also drag lifts from Trockener Steg which will also get you there...but a bit more slowly.

The Refugio Des Guides on Plateau Rosa does reasonable mountain food. Take a few Euros, as you are in Italy!

It's useful to closely check the weather forecast before venturing further onto the Cervinia slopes, as the route back may be affected. Very long and expensive taxi ride! It's not easy to predict the weather more than 48 hours in advance, and then only in broad terms.

The Ski Shop in the shopping arcade just opposite the train station is pretty good, as is the one at the bottom of the KM gondola, Dorsaz?. There is also a Stockli Test Centre at Trockener Steg, as a good skier you will appreciate the difference in performance :D

The Cervinia side is really nice to ski if you are an intermediate skier. I would recommend getting the extension if you can afford it. In my experience the Italian lunches are worth it too! Just make sure that you get back in good time before the lifts close. Yes, the weather does mean the links sometimes close but you would be very unlucky if the weather was bad every day of your holiday.

try this site
http://www.swisspasses.com/skipass/

When I was there a couple of years ago I bought the full pass an never used it as the pass was not open (lots of snow) but we did get a refund...I am sure you can buy by the day as it looks as though it is £40+ for a week

Hi...Dorsaz ski hire next to KM ski lift. Has the advantage of being next to the end of the run down into Zermatt...great service and you get to leave your skis and boots there. no more traipsing round the resort/on buses with kit.
International pass worth every penny....pass does close, but in 3 recent visits have only been stopped about 20% of the time. very sunny runs and nice and wide...a break from the crowded narrow runs around Zermatt and the previous post was right...lunches are cheaper and a lot of fun.
best wishes
Jon