Zermatt has received the 'Family Destination – Familien willkommen' quality label from the Swiss Tour Federation. Proof, if you need it, that Zermatt's mountain railways, lifts, ski schools, and restaurants are made for kids and families. Below is our guide to everything families can do in Zermatt.
At SCHLOSS Zermatt
Our rooms, suites, apartments and cottage are ready for families of all shapes and sizes. But we also have plenty going on in the hotel to keep the kids busy…
Playroom
Here, young, and old can enjoy 100% fun - Our playroom, including table football, table tennis, darts, billiards, Lego & Co, is a great place to relax, and even keeps the kids entertained when the weather is bad.
Pool and Family Sauna (accompanied by parents)
On the mountain during the day and in the pool in the afternoon - A combination that is sure to delight your children too.
SCHLOSS Spa
Please note, the Schloss Spa is only accessible to children aged 16 years and over
SCHLOSS Sport
Open to children aged 16 years and over. Yoga and fitness classes can be attended by children from the age of 12 years. Please note, we do not offer a special program for children.
FAMILY ROOMS & FLATS
Ideally, you should book a family room or a flat. Here you can be close to your children and yet everyone has enough space for a little privacy.
FRIENDS & FAMILY SUITE
2 separate bedrooms, two bathrooms and a small living area.
VIEW APARTMENT
On approx. 112 m2 there is a spacious living/dining area with fireplace, a state-of-the-art kitchen, two separate bedrooms each with their own bathroom and a small laundry room with washing machine and a small laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer.
COTTAGE
On three floors, the original ‘Gädi’ offers plenty of space for freedom-loving families. In-house sauna, home cinema and wooden balconies. In short, a home of its own - in the heart of Zermatt.
PENTHOUSE
3 - 4 separate bedrooms for 6 to 8 people with balcony and Matterhorn view. On 160 - 200 m2 you will find a spacious living/dining area with fireplace, a top modern kitchen, separate bedrooms each with their own bathroom and a small laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer at a small front garden where the children can play.
EXTRAS
Extra beds (only possible in Boutique Junior Suite)
- free of charge for children up to 8.99 years
- from 9 - 15.99 years CHF 70.- per night
- from 16 years CHF 100.- per night
Baby cots (only possible in our Junior Suite and Double room +) are available free of charge on request.
Highchairs for children are available free of charge in the breakfast room.
Childcare, nannies and babysitting
If you need someone to look after your child(ren), then we recommend The Alpine Nanny. She knows how to have fun and is very professional. You can find out more at www.alpinenanny.com.
PAEDIATRICIAN
The nearest paediatrician is located in Visp. Here we can recommend Dres. med. Auer-Bloetzer, M. Auer & A. Wefers.
Otherwise you will also be well looked after in Zermatt at the
Zermat medical centre. Contact: +41 27 967 11 88
Family-friend restaurants in Zermatt
All restaurants in Zermatt are generally very family-friendly, but below are some of our favourites (and ones that we know have highchairs). There are usually two options when dining in the evening: 6.30-8.30pm and from 8.30/9pm.
- Cervo: ideal during the day, Cervo has a lovely terrace and small playground. In winter, extra painting materials, puzzles and more are available for children.
- Sonnmatten: great for lunch with a beautiful terrace, garden, and small playground for children.
- Grampis: a cute Italian restaurant where you can admire old photos of Zermatt on the ceilings and walls.
- Molino: another Italian restaurant with a large outdoor area where children can play.
- Avena: great home-cooking in a rustic, informal atmosphere. Avena has a small front garden where children can play.
Good mountain restaurants include: Findlerhof (in Findeln), Fluhalp (in Rothorn), Blatten (in Furi), Al Bosco (in Gornergrat), Gitz Gädi (in Furi). All are great in the summer as they’re close to playgrounds.
Playgrounds in Zermatt
- Obere Matten: a 5-minute walk from SCHLOSS Zermatt with swings, slides, climbing towers and sandboxes.
- Winkelmatten: a 30-minute walk from us, here you’ll find a great climbing playground. This is more for children aged 6 and above, but there are also swings for smaller children.
- Forest Funpark: this climbing park is a great adrenaline-filled experience. It has five fun courses for adults as well as the largest kids' trail in Switzerland.
How kids can travel for free around Zermatt
The Wolli Card is a free club card for children (aged up to 9) who are accompanied by an adult or youth who purchases at least a two-day pass. The card gives a child:
- Free use of the mountain lifts in the Zermatt - Matterhorn resort
- Exemption from holiday taxes
- Free use of the local bus
- Wolli Welcome Kit
- Reductions on Wolli events
Walking with a baby and/or pram in Zermatt
If you’d rather not bring your baby carriage or pram with you, you can rent one directly in the village at Bayard Rental: www.bayardsport.ch/de/rent. From there, here are some of the best baby-friendly hiking and walking trails in Zermatt…
Furi Trail (about 1.5 hours): take the gondola to Furi, then walk back to Zermatt village on the gentle, asphalted road via Moos. It is usually very quiet here with hardly any people around.
Forest Trail (about 2.5-3 hours): travel up the mountain on the Sunnegga funicular. From Sunnegga, walk towards Tuftern and then via Patrullarve and Ried back to Zermatt village. Along the way, don’t forget to stop and stare a while. And if you get hungry, head to Ried restaurant.
HIKing with Kids
Zermatt - Gorner Gorge - Blatten mountain restaurant (playground) - Ricola Herb Garden - Zermatt / approx. 1.5h
Everyone will enjoy this hike, without having to plan a big excursion.
At the end of the village (approx. 25 minutes walking distance from the hotel), a well-marked path leads through the Gorner Gorge to the mountain restaurant, Blatten. Here you can spoil yourself whilst keeping an eye on your children in the playground. Afterwards, take a detour to the Ricola Garden. Who hasn't always wanted to know how the fine herbal drops are made?
Highlights
Gornergorge
The Gorner Gorge is an experience for the whole family. Since the last ice age, the waters of the Gornervispe have carved an ever deeper chasm. As you walk along the wooden walkways through the gorge, you become immersed in the world of the power of water and rock faces.
Ricola herb garden
Here you can learn about the 13 herbs from which the world-famous drops are created. Touching the herbs, rubbing them between your fingers, smelling and tasting them is not only allowed, but also encouraged! Information boards provide details about the herbs and their properties.
Zermatt - Sunnegga - Blauherd - Marmot Trail - Lake Leisee (Playground day at the lake) - Return with the Sunnegga Funicular (day trip)
Highlights
Sunnegga Funicular
Through the interior of the mountain on the funicular railway - get a seat right at the front or back, so that the little ones have the best view through the tunnel on the rapid ride.
Marmot Trail
In summer, the marmot observation post can be reached on foot from Sunnegga in a few minutes - an unforgettable experience for the whole family. A marmot theme trail explains interesting facts about these popular burrow dwellers.
Leisee
Zermatt's bathing paradise. Children's playground and barbecue areas invite you to linger. Children play with the big raft and splash around, while the adults enjoy the view of the Matterhorn.
Zermatt - Furi - Suspension Bridge - Dossen Glacier Garden with Forest Playground – Furi
Take the gondola to Furi - from there it's a short hike (max. 30 minutes), to the suspension bridge, directly after which you will see the Dossen forest playground. The suspension bridge is an attraction. The playground is nicely laid out, great for picnicking and spending time.
Highlights
Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge runs 90 m above the Gorner Gorge. The view down into
the roaring waters of the Gornera displays the tremendous force of the
elements.
Glacier Garden with Forest Playground
In the Dossen Glacier Garden you follow the traces of glacial erosion on
secured paths. The holes formed thousands of years ago, called glacier pots, are clearly visible. Who will be the first to discover the rock cave, from which Giltstein (soapstone) was once quarried? Right next to it, a well-appointed children's playground. Attractions: Climbing stone, swings, hanging xylophone. Well-equipped barbecue area.
A day at the lake
Zermatt - Täsch – Lake Schalisee - Zermatt (Day trip)
This pleasant hiking trail, in the direction of Täsch, begins almost directly behind the hotel (approx. 5 min.). The path leads through areas with and without forest, over hill and dale, meadows and pastures.
Highlights
Air Zermatt Heliport
Weather permitting; you can observe the helicopters at the end of
Zermatt village.
Lake Schalisee
Well-deserved after the hike, a dip in Lake Schalisee beckons at the end
of the route. Snacks are also available so the tired little hikers can regain their strength with an ice-cream or something more filling.
Ski & Snowboard
Our tip for an exciting family ski day: ski on Sunnegga - Wolli Beginners'
Park Sunnegga & Eisfluh
Sunnegga ski area is quickly accessible from the Schloss Hotel and as the
name suggests, it lies in a sunny location with fantastic views. The slopes are easy and refreshments are available.
Perfect for families because:
- With the Sunnegga funicular, you are easily and quickly at the top of the mountain.
- Thanks to the sunny and sheltered location, Wolli Park is a particularly great place to spend time and is often warmer than in the village.
- The pistes to the Eisfluh lift and Findeln are uncomplicated, as is the
standard piste from Blauherd to Sunnegga. - Findeln: great choice of nice mountain restaurants, for a nice long lunch.
Tip: The "Beginner Ski Pass" is valid for Zermatt - Sunnegga, Sunnegga -
Blauherd, Eisfluh, the Findel lift and Lake Leisee - Shuttle. If you are not planning to use any of the other cable cars with your children, then this offer is a very good deal.
Tobogganing Fun on Rotenboden
Even for those who don't ski or snowboard, Zermatt has a lot to offer in
winter. Among other things, the toboggan run from Rotenboden. The
toboggan run on the Gornergrat is not only the highest in the Alps, but also one of the most beautiful. The Matterhorn, together with the mountain
panorama in Zermatt, is a dream vista par excellence for tobogganers. The
fast paced run takes about 10 minutes. Thanks to the special "tobogganing ticket", you can have fun all day long, until you can’t sit down anymore!
You don't have to worry about much, just dress warmly (Important: helmet, gloves, and good shoes!) and off you go. The Gornergrat Train (2 minutes walking distance from the hotel) takes you and your family comfortably up to Rotenboden. You can rent the toboggan on site. You pick it up at the start of the toboggan run and return it to Riffelberg station following your adventure.
On the ice - Ice skating and ice hockey in the heart of Zermatt
The Zermatt natural and artificial ice rink is situated in the centre of the village. Here you can skate in the freezing cold. Whether you're an ice princess or a future ice hockey pro, the whole family will have fun.
Perfect for families because:
- The equipment can be conveniently rented next door at Julen Sport
- Children's Playground - there is a children's playground right next to the ice rink, so even the very little ones are kept busy.
- Sports Pavilion - the sports pavilion is located directly next to the ice rink. If you have a cold nose or weak legs, you can take a break and regain your strength.
Winter Hiking - Our Top 3 for Families
AHV Trail - Winkelmatten Playground - Return / approx. 1.5h
This is a beautiful circular trail around Zermatt. The Sunnegga lift brings you up to Riedweg, from here you follow a tranquil uphill path, just far enough that, depending on the outlook, houses or woodland can be seen. There are various puzzles & hands-on stations along the way, to keep the kids entertained. When you arrive in Winkelmatten you can stop off at the playground and, depending on how you feel, return to the hotel by E-bus or on foot.
Rotenboden - Igloo Village - Riffelberg
Take the Gornergrat train up to Rotenboden. From here you walk all the way to the igloo village with a magnificent view insight. A highlight for the whole family! If you are hungry, you can enjoy a delicious fondue in the rustic igloo village. Then it's on to Riffelberg. Tip: Take a slide with you for the children - this will make the hike even more spectacular for the little ones.
Tuftern / approx. 1 - 1.5h
Close by and yet far enough from the hustle and bustle. The funicular railway brings you conveniently to Sunnegga. From here, a beautiful, well-prepared winter hiking trail leads towards Tuftern. When you arrive at Tuftern, you can stop for a small snack (the restaurant is very basic). Towards the end of the afternoon you can often spot deer and chamois as there is a feeding trough near the restaurant.
Tip: Take the toboggan with you, so the little ones can take a break along the way.
Final thought
Discovering Zermatt’s mountains is super simple. Everything can be reached quickly and on foot, with trains and gondolas your best friend.
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