Comparing the Pros and Cons of Visiting the Matterhorn: Is it Worth the Visit?
The Matterhorn is one of the most famous mountains in the world. It’s also a popular destination for people looking to do some skiing or snowboarding on its slopes.
But how does it compare to other destinations like, say, Colorado?
There are pros and cons of visiting Matterhorn that we will discuss in this article.
The Matterhorn Cons: What’s Not to Love?
Let’s get the cons out first.
The Matterhorn is a trendy tourist destination in Switzerland. It’s a beautiful mountain, and the view from the summit is unbeatable. This mountain has been attracting visitors since 1864 with its dramatic views of Switzerland and Italy at 14,692 feet above sea level.
But it has some drawbacks, too.
Must Be Prepared
It’s important to note that while hiking up the mountain’s lower slopes is possible, once you get past 12,000 feet, you’ll need special gear like an oxygen tank and climbing harnesses. The temperature on top of the Matterhorn can be as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit! So only come with proper attire and equipment.
No Vacancies
It isn’t easy to book hotel rooms around the Matterhorn because they fill up quickly during the summer months when most people visit. So unless you book early, it can be hard to find a room available.
If you are looking for availability, it is best to search in a different location, which can become a hassle.
Expensive
The Village of Zermatt is expensive. You’ll need to do your research but be prepared for some high prices.
You will also be spending big bucks in Breuil Cervinia. It’s not unusual to spend more than $300 per person on meals, lodging, and activities.
If money is an issue, be sure not to miss out on other Alpine destinations like Saas-Fee or Verbier. They’re both budget-friendly compared to Zermatt and have plenty of activities that will keep you busy all day long!
No Cell Service
As to be expected, the phone service is not good on the Matterhorn, unless you are lucky enough to have a roaming plan with Swisscom, the only carrier that provides service on the mountain.
A side effect of this lack of reception and connectivity is there is no wifi connection available for those without an international data package or Roaming SIM card.
Some people bring their own portable hotspot device to stay connected (it’s also possible to connect wirelessly through other devices such as laptops).
Crowded Tourist Destination
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, then don’t go here during peak season because there will be people everywhere – especially on weekends when children are off school holiday periods.
It also gets very congested at sunset as everyone wants to take photos from the summit. Still, some visitors have been known to charge money for taking pictures which isn’t always appreciated by those who want their photo taken without paying anything extra.
The Weather
The weather on the Matterhorn is a mixed bag. The clouds can block the views for days.
It can also rain for days ruining your entire trip. When this happens, the mountain tends to be very foggy.
The weather in Zermatt tends to be very unpredictable year-round due to its unique location between two mountains where warm air from Italy meets cold air from Switzerland.
Sickness
Being at a very high elevation can have a negative effect on people. Altitude sickness is a real thing and can completely ruin your visit.
There are two types of altitude sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
AMS can present with a headache, nausea, vomiting.
HAPE is more severe; it has symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain.
The classic advice for avoiding altitude sickness is to drink lots of water before ascending, then continue drinking enough fluid every day throughout your stay at a high elevation. Food sources rich in potassium also help regulate blood pressure.
If you start feeling any major symptoms while on the climb up or once you’re settled into camp, don’t hesitate to see a doctor who specializes in mountain medicine!
The Pros of Matterhorn, Switzerland: What’s to Love?
Let’s get the pros out too!
-The Matterhorn is the tallest peak in Switzerland. It’s a breathtaking mountain that’s visible from almost anywhere on the ski resort, and it’s an icon of Swiss tourism.
-There are plenty of activities for everyone: skiing, snowboarding, Alpine walks, or sledding with dogs – there really is something for everyone!
It has one of Europe’s highest cable cars, which offers stunning views as you climb to just under 4000 m above sea level.
-The Matterhorn was voted by ‘Ski Magazine’ as being among the top ten resorts in North America five times since 2002 and by ‘European Traveler’ as being among the top 25 destinations worldwide every year since 2003.
You will also enjoy:
Summer Skiing
Where else can you ski in the summer?
The best time to visit for summer skiing is in July and August when it’s usually about 20 degrees C. It’s also less crowded during this period because many can’t take off work or school in Europe due to the massive shift in daylight hours (the Swiss are on Central European Time).
Since the days are so long in July and August, you can enjoy skiing for many hours of daylight. For example, at the end of a 12-hour day, it will still be light enough to ski until about midnight!
It’s also worth noting that night skiing is offered during this time, with floodlights set up on some slopes. It creates an amazing atmosphere akin to being inside a disco!
In winter, there are usually two ski areas open – Les Diablerets located near La Chaux de Fonds (the Swiss Alps) and Verbier, which is just south of Montreux bordering France and Switzerland.
Verbier offers 165km of pistes spread out over 84 square kilometers, while Les Diablerets has 161km over 110 square kilometers.
Verbier is also home to the world’s highest vertical drop at 2740 meters and offers some of the best off-piste opportunities in Switzerland, with access into France, where there are no restrictions or avalanche risks for backcountry skiing!
The “Four Vallées” ski area (Champéry, La Clusaz, Les Crosets, and Le Grand Bornand) has a total of 420 kilometers worth of piste, so it can easily take a week to explore every corner.
On the other hand, Les Diablerets does not have as much variety, but its gentle slopes make for excellent family pistes while being less crowded than Verbier.
Amazing Resorts
Guests who come to the Matterhorn are sure to enjoy the amazing resorts that are available!
The Chalets John & Caroline
The first resort up is The Chalets John & Caroline. This resort has a great view and also has a spa of its own, perfect for relaxing after a long day in the mountains. There is also a restaurant at this resort, which serves traditional, Swiss cuisine.
Chalet Pontet
The next amazing resort on the Matterhorn is the Chalet Pontet. This is a more luxurious resort, with lots of extras. Some of these extra features include having your car brought up from town so you won’t have to worry about parking it when you arrive! This resort also offers two restaurants – one serving traditional Swiss food and one specializing in French food.
The Chalet Tom-Tom
The third amazing resort on the Matterhorn is The Chalet Tom-Tom or Les Trois Glaciers, so named because of its three glaciers, including Mont Blanc!
This is a great place to go if you are looking for luxury and exclusivity.
There’s also an outdoor heated pool in this hotel that overlooks the beautiful mountain scenery.
If skiing isn’t your thing, then many other activities are available at this resort-like squash courts, tennis, and horseback riding.
Chateau de la Vieille Poste
Last but not least, we have Chateau de la Vieille Poste – what makes it special?
Well, first off, everyone who stays here will get free breakfast every day! That extra meal can really come in handy when you get up early to get on the slopes. There is also a spa and many other amenities at this resort, so if you’re looking for an all-inclusive trip, then this one is perfect!
Hiking
You’ll find this mountain has some great hiking trails as well.
And you can shorten the hike to the summit if you take a cable car or the gondola.
If you don’t think your legs are up for an uphill hike on this steep incline, then take advantage of one of the cable cars to have plenty of energy left to make it all the way to the summit. The cable car ride takes about 20 minutes and will have you at the top of the mountain in no time.
Some of the hiking trails you can enjoy on the Matterhorn are:
The Saas Fee – Ober Gabelhorn Hütte (11km)
This hiking trail takes you from the Saas Fee to Ober Gabelhorn Hütte. It offers fantastic views of the Matterhorn and a challenging trek for those looking to get some exercise.
The Furka – Ober Gabelhorn Hütte (11km)
Another hiking trail that takes you from the Saas-Fee to Ober Gabelhorn Hütte, this one is more than twice as long as The Saas-Fee Trail! This difficult hike will take about six hours, but it offers excellent views of the Alps and Lake Geneva at every turn.
Obernalp Pass – Riederalp (16km roundtrip)
This easy-going three-hour hike starts through forests before opening up on exceptional mountain vistas towards your destination point: Obernalp Pass in Switzerland. There’s also a restaurant and a shop at the top!
The Matterhorn Base Camp – Breithorn (14km)
This trail takes you through touristic and non-touristic areas from The Matterhorn Base Camp to Breithorn.
Nid d’Aigle to Kientelettes Hut (12km)
This hike will take you all around Trift glacier, where visitors can explore its natural beauty up close and personal. Be sure not to have any fear of heights, though!
Les Trois Glaciers – Mont Blanc (19km)
This is a great hiking excursion for those who are more experienced hikers or anyone looking for some adventure in their day.
Leukerbad-Saas Almagell (13.25km)
This is actually a part of the Saas Almagell-Saas-Fee hike that starts in Leukerbad and ends at Saas-Fee. It’s not too long, but it offers incredible views along the way!
Piz Nair – Breithorn (14km)
This hike will take you all around Trift glacier, where visitors can explore its natural beauty up close and personal. Be sure not to have any fear of heights, though!
All of these hikes are beautiful and a great way to enjoy the Matterhorn while taking in some amazing views! You’ll definitely want to add this mountain to your list of hiking destinations if you visit Switzerland. And don’t forget that there’s also skiing available on the many slopes.
Relaxing
The locals also say that it is a good place for meditation and reflection. The air is thin, the scenery magnificent, and there are no distractions.
Some people say they felt as if time had stopped while up there where nature was so free and untouched – almost magical indeed. This feeling that you’ve been able to take a break from life for just a moment is something many others are drawn towards too in order to reconnect with themselves or find inspiration for their work.
The peace here will recharge your soul unlike any other place on earth!
Extreme Sports
And if you’re into extreme sports, then there are popular events like Base Jumping competitions held on nearby cliffs, so be sure not to miss them if they happen while you’re visiting!
You can also find some great places to rock climb here, and there are even a few locations where you can bungee jump, meaning that the opportunities for adventure and thrill seekers are almost infinite.
Stunning Views
People come from all over the world to enjoy views of the Matterhorn because it’s just unbeatable with its sweeping views of Switzerland and Italy. It’s hard not to be taken aback by the beauty of this place.
The Matterhorn is a unique mountain that arose from the collision of two tectonic plates. The snow-capped summit rises 14,690 feet above sea level and has an average gradient slope of 34% (which means it’s pretty steep). It also contains some glaciers which are shrinking due to global warming.
Nowhere else in the world can you find such expansive vistas with high peaks on one side of your view and miles upon miles of lush valleys on the other. So far no other location provides this type of beauty framed by majestic mountains all around you as Switzerland does!
With these stunning views, it’s no wonder that people come from all to enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
If all these pro-cons have made your head spin, then you’re not alone.
For some, it’s all about the scenic views, while for others, adventure is what drives them.
The best way to decide on your own personal preferences is to visit Switzerland and see which things you enjoy most!
This will help you determine if this place would be a good fit for you or not.
There are endless opportunities here with hundreds of different activities, so there should be something that everyone can get into whether they’re looking for an adrenaline rush or want to kick back in peace.
And don’t forget; the friendly Swiss people always make sure that visitors have a great time when they stop by because it’s their home after all! So why not take a look? You’ll find out firsthand how wonderful life can really be in these parts.