Getting to Andermatt is easy by road or rail. The nearest international airport is Zurich, although Milan and Geneva are alternatives. All have rail links to Andermatt but the quickest way to get to Andermatt from the airport is by...
Andermatt
Andermatt, until recently a ski resort in decline, is back with a bang. Its Gemsstock mountain has always appealed to freeriders and off-piste skiers, but its new hotels and its shared SkiArena with lift-linked Sedrun means it can now compete again as a mainstream winter sports resort.
In the Ursern Valley, at the crossroads of Switzerland’s North-South and East-West Alpine passes, Andermatt was once one of the traffic hubs of Europe. The opening of St Gotthard railway tunnel in 1882 and the road tunnel completion nearly a century later, however literally undermined Andermatt’s economy, turning a once thriving area into a dead end.
Its lifeline was the Swiss army. From 1885 to the early 21st century, Andermatt was a garrison town and this military occupation choked-off its development as a ski resort. Andermatt had a snowy mountain, high ski lifts reaching to nearly 3,000m and narrow streets lined with traditional chalets but it also had barracks full of soldiers and a heavy-arms firing range.
Then the military left and into the void stepped an Egyptian-born destination developer, named Samih Sawiris and his Orascom company. He spent billions reinventing Andermatt as an upmarket year-round mountain resort. The town was transformed with new luxury hotels, apartments and chalets. New ski lifts linked Andermatt to the high plateau at Oberalp and then onto Dieni, a small lift station near Sedrun, creating the Andermatt-Sedrun SkiArena with over 120kms of pistes, making it a respectable mid-sized area for piste skiers.
For freeride enthusiasts, however, the jewel in its crown of Andermatt’s skiing remains unchanged: it’s still the naturally snowy, north-facing, 2,961m high Gemsstock mountain on the other side of town, which is the home of the famous Bernhard Russi black run and legendary off-piste routes such as Giraffe and Geissberg.
Andermatt has a wide range of accommodation options including the quirky Sonne Hotel and The Old Couching Inn, as well as modern-day super luxurious Chedi Andermatt hotel. The après-ski is relatively tame but it’s a nice place to wander around in the evenings with plenty of restaurants.
With its central location, Andermatt is easy to reach, and quick transfers from Zurich airport make it a popular weekend destination. For those who stay longer, days trips to Engelberg, another mecca for off-piste skiers, are possible but there is no lift-pass sharing arrangement.
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Discounted Ski & Snowboard Rental in Andermatt and Sedrun:
ALPINRESORTS work with several shops in and around both resorts and can get you discounts of up to 50% if you book online in advance.
SKISET is also present and will give similar discounts if you book online in advance.
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Andermatt was once famous for its 2-star and 3-star hotel accommodation, but there are now much more luxurious options and plenty of self-catering apartments to rent as well, and even a hostel for the most budget-conscious. Where to stay in...
Book Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Andermatt online Looking for private or group ski lessons? Ultimate-Ski and partner CheckYeti work with leading ski schools and ski instructors in over 500 ski destinations throughout Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland....
Andermatt Ski Area Andermatt’s local ski area is on the North-facing Gemstock and South-West facing Natschen mountains, which straddle the resort. But the SkiArena extends beyond Natschen all the way to Sedrun via Gutsch, Schneehuenerstock, Val Val, Cuolm Val and...
Andermatt Ski Lifts & Lift Passes The Andermatt-Sedrun SkiArena project as well as the improvements to other lifts in the Andermatt area will improve things beyond recognition, transforming the ski access experience from a slow and dated one to a...
Beginner Skiing in Andermatt Andermatt isn’t known as a beginners resort. But there are now nursery slopes and a special Matti Kids Arena at Natschen, with long easy blue runs to progress onto both here, and higher up the mountain...
Intermediate Skiing in Andermatt Andermatt’s shared 'SkiArena' with Sedrun has lots of wide open red runs and fast-pace blues, as well as a few blacks for better intermediates. There is also good red run skiing on Gemsstock - contrary to...
Advanced & Expert Skiing in Andermatt | Ultimate-Ski.com Andermatt's Gemsstock mountain has plenty of challenging terrain for freeriders, off-piste and black-run skiers. The SkiArena that now stretches to Sedrun also has ungroomed trails and black pistes. Gemstock With a summit...
Andermatt Boarding & Freestyle Andermatt's Gemstock is best for experienced boarders and freeriders and there is a fun park as well as wider cruising runs nearby at Sedrun. Currently, beginner terrain is limited but the Andermatt-Sedrun SkiArena project will improve...
Andermatt Mountain Restaurants Andermatt’s on-mountain dining remains a weakness and a shortage of mountain restaurants mean the ones that are available are often overly busy with long queues. Those seeking opportunities to enjoy authentic local cuisine on a sun terrace...
Andermatt Village Andermatt is the largest village of three in the impressive Ursern valley at the foot of Gotthard Pass. This old world village with narrow streets lined with traditional chalets and cobbled paving has a certain charm and history...
Andermatt Bars & Restaurants Andermatt hasn’t got the same appeal as many of its rival resorts in Switzerland in terms of après-ski or nightlife and for a small resort the cuisine available is quite expansive and varied. The completion of...
Andermatt Other Activities Other than skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of other activities available in and around Andermatt. Whether you enjoy action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled activities or relaxing and romantic rides on a horse sleigh, you will find them here. Cross-country...