{"id":4562,"date":"2016-08-12T14:40:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-12T13:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skiinluxury.com\/blog\/?p=4562"},"modified":"2025-07-03T14:29:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T13:29:52","slug":"insiders-guide-to-zermatt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skiinluxury.com\/blog\/insiders-guide-to-zermatt\/","title":{"rendered":"An Insider’s Guide To Zermatt"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Zermatt<\/a>Zermatt, a mountain village that is steeped in alpine history and wonder, being located in the foothills of the magnificent Matterhorn Mountain, known for its infamy amongst climbers and tourists alike.<\/p>\n

This week the Ski in Luxury team want to give you an insight into why this destination\u00a0has become so popular, and what is making it stand\u00a0out from its other European counterparts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We meet up with Asher Cairns, the Founding Director of a Zermatt luxury\u00a0chalet <\/a>operation, who lets us in on everything he knows, with his\u00a0many years of experience living and breathing\u00a0Zermatt. He didn’t forget to drop some amazing hints and tips in as well on where to eat, drink, ski, repeat!<\/p>\n

Just to top it all off he gives us the low down\u00a0on what the resort is introducing this coming winter season and beyond, to make the experience for snow sports enthusiasts even better than it has been ever before!<\/p>\n

\"Asher<\/p>\n

Will<\/strong> –\u00a0What makes your standard of chalet\u00a0service stand out from your\u00a0competition in resort?<\/p>\n

Asher<\/strong> –\u00a0We offer world class service from hospitality professionals who are personable, approachable and proactive while also being discrete. Our staff are supported by my wife\u00a0Georgie and myself, bringing between us 30 years of experience in the ski chalet industry. Being based in Zermatt, we ensure that we are on hand to assist guests with their experience and contacts, to ensure each group of guests have an unforgettable\u00a0ski\u00a0holiday in Zermatt<\/a>.\u00a0 As a family run business we understand that each group of guests needs a bespoke personalised service.<\/p>\n

\"Chalet<\/a><\/p>\n

Will<\/strong>\u00a0–<\/strong>\u00a0How has the chalet rental market changed over the time you have been in Zermatt?<\/p>\n

Asher –\u00a0<\/strong>There has been an increase in the number of free-standing chalets, especially in Zermatt’s ski-in ski-out<\/a> region of Winkelmatten, know as the Beverly Hills of Zermatt. There has been the exit of all of the UK chalet operators and the standard of the catered chalet product has increased significantly. More of the old buildings located in the centre of Zermatt, such as Chalet Valeria, have been rebuilt into luxury five star properties such as Chalet Aria<\/a>, Lys<\/a> and Petit.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"beautiful<\/p>\n

Will –\u00a0<\/strong>What makes Zermatt’s offering as a resort so special compared to other well-known resorts in Switzerland?<\/p>\n

Asher –\u00a0<\/strong>Zermatt has the best lift infrastructure in the Alps, the lift company has invested 387 Million Swiss Francs since 2002 and continues to invest. Zermatt has world famous mountain restaurants and the village is car-free giving it the feeling of a bygone era. Horse drawn sleighs and carriages bustle down the high street past the boutiques, ice-bars, hot chestnut and gluwein stands. There is the stunning backdrop of the Matterhorn and plenty of activities for non-skiers too, including ice-skating, para-gliding, the forest fun park, museum and art galleries. Zermatt is the heli-skiing capital of Europe but there are also three beginner areas, plenty of skiing for the intermediate skiers looking to perfect there carving and a huge back-country playground including the famous Schwarz Tor. As the highest skiing in Europe at 3,804m Zermatt is a guaranteed snow-sure destination.<\/p>\n

\"Asher<\/p>\n

Will –\u00a0<\/strong>What developments have happened in resort to make the ski experience even better for winter holiday makers this coming season?<\/p>\n

Asher –\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n