Destination
When should you visit Zermatt?
Zermatt is a car-free Alpine village at the foot of the Matterhorn, with two seasons: skiing from late November to April and hiking from June to September. Glacier skiing runs all year up high. May and November are quiet in-between months, when many hotels close. Zermatt is expensive in any season, but especially around Christmas and February. Here is how every month compares.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
September
Clear, stable days, open trails and fewer hikers than July and August, with the Zermatt Music Festival.
Best for skiing
January–March
Reliable snow, sunniest in March.
Best for hiking
July–August
All trails and mountain lakes open.
Best for fall colors
October
Golden larch forests.
Best for spring skiing
April
Spring snow and Zermatt Unplugged.
September scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- Off-season closures
- Many hotels and some lifts close.
- Peak prices
- Book a year ahead for Christmas.
- Clouds
- The Matterhorn can hide for days. Stay flexible.
May & November
Christmas & February
All year
Zermatt travel tip
Check the Matterhorn webcam before you buy a mountain ticket: clouds can hide it for days. Go up early, when the air is clearest. In summer, hike to Stellisee for the Matterhorn reflection. In winter, you can ski over to Cervinia in Italy for lunch.
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- -7–1°C
- Cold, around 1°C in the village.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy after New Year.
- Prices
- $$$$$
- Very high rates.
Ride the Gornergrat railway on a clear morning.
- Skiing
- Winter walks
- Temperature
- -7–2°C
- Cold, around 2°C in the village.
- Crowds
- High
- Very busy in school holidays.
- Prices
- $$$$$
- Peak rates.
Book ski rentals ahead in February.
- Skiing
- Temperature
- -4–6°C
- Around 6°C in the village, cold up high.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy at weekends.
- Prices
- $$$$$
- High rates.
Ski Italian Cervinia on the same pass.
- Skiing
- Sun terraces
- Temperature
- -1–10°C
- Around 10°C in the village.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Moderate, busy around Easter.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Moderate rates.
Ski high, the glacier keeps good snow.
- Skiing
- Music
- Temperature
- 3–14°C
- Around 14°C, snow up high.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- $$
- Lower rates.
Check which lifts and hotels are open.
- Quiet stays
- Temperature
- 7–18°C
- Mild, around 18°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
- Moderate rates.
Lower trails open first. Ask the tourist office.
- Hiking
- Flowers
- Temperature
- 8–20°C
- Warm, around 20°C, with storms.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy.
- Prices
- $$$$
- High rates.
Go to Stellisee early for the Matterhorn reflection.
- Hiking
- Lakes
- Temperature
- 8–20°C
- Warm, around 20°C.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy.
- Prices
- $$$$
- High rates.
Avoid afternoon storms by hiking early.
- Hiking
- Glacier skiing
- Temperature
- 5–15°C
- Mild, around 15°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
- Moderate rates.
The mornings are clearest for Matterhorn views.
- Hiking
- Music
- Temperature
- 1–11°C
- Cool, around 11°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- $$$
- Lower rates.
The larch forests are best in mid-October.
- Hiking
- Fall colors
- Temperature
- -3–5°C
- Cold, around 5°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- $$
- Lower rates.
Check lift opening dates.
- Quiet stays
- Early skiing
- Temperature
- -6–2°C
- Cold, around 2°C, snowy.
- Crowds
- High
- Very busy around the holidays.
- Prices
- $$$$$
- Peak rates.
Book Christmas a year ahead.
- Skiing
- Christmas
Climate
Zermatt weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°C / 34°F | -7°C / 19°F | 42 mm | 6 |
| February | 2°C / 36°F | -7°C / 19°F | 30 mm | 6 |
| March | 6°C / 43°F | -4°C / 25°F | 33 mm | 5 |
| April | 10°C / 50°F | -1°C / 30°F | 40 mm | 6 |
| May | 14°C / 57°F | 3°C / 37°F | 77 mm | 10 |
| June | 18°C / 64°F | 7°C / 45°F | 70 mm | 10 |
| July | 20°C / 68°F | 8°C / 46°F | 59 mm | 9 |
| August | 20°C / 68°F | 8°C / 46°F | 68 mm | 10 |
| September | 15°C / 59°F | 5°C / 41°F | 51 mm | 7 |
| October | 11°C / 52°F | 1°C / 34°F | 57 mm | 7 |
| November | 5°C / 41°F | -3°C / 27°F | 65 mm | 7 |
| December | 2°C / 36°F | -6°C / 21°F | 47 mm | 7 |
Climate data: NOAA WMO normals (Zermatt, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Ready to book September in Zermatt?
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FAQ
Planning a trip to Zermatt
What is the best month to visit Zermatt?
September for hiking and clear Matterhorn views, and March for sunny skiing.
Can you ski in Zermatt in summer?
Yes. The glacier at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is open for skiing all year.