Andermatt

This location is ideal for accumulating snow. It has a reputation for being a powder paradise, located at the confluence of three valleys close to the north side of the Alps, with the Gurschenfirn glacier just above. Every year, an average of 350 inches (890cm) of the material burys the ski region. Altitude helps, as most of the slopes on steep, shaded Gemsstock are between 2000 and 3000m. At times of the year when conditions in Switzerland’s major Valais area still leave a lot to be desired, there is typically a fair quantity of snow here.

People will ultimately arrive as investments flood the hamlet, but for now, Andermatt remains delightfully calm and a perfect destination if you’re desperate for R&R during busy days. If you’re here for the off-piste, the Gemsstock is at its best in the spring, when the snow is still falling, the days are longer, and temps average a pleasant 6° C – this is also when the King of the Mountain freestyle competition comes to town.

Andermatt is fortunate with an Alps location that ensures a heavy snow pack far into April and May. Storms from all directions bring their frozen deliciousness to the region. Late in the season, some of the greatest skiing and snowboarding in the area may be found. Keep an eye on the weather predictions.

The top slopes of the Gemsstock maintain cold deep snow for longer than the rest of the resort, which is why many Powderhounds go to there. When the weather is at its worst, the lower terrain near Sedrun and between Natschen and Andermatt offers many of options.

Andermatt is the biggest of three villages in the stunning Ursern valley at the foot of the Gotthard Pass. This old world hamlet has a distinct beauty and history about it, with small alleys lined with historic chalets and cobblestone flooring. Although the SkiArena development project is altering the hamlet and ski area, the traditional village center remains.

Andermatt, located two hours south of Zurich at 1444m, is in the heart of Switzerland’s mountain passes and was formerly a European transportation center. This settlement, which had a golden heyday in the late nineteenth century, is claimed to have remained dormant for the past 30 years. However, the ancient town center retains its charm and beauty.

The surrounding natural and architectural elements all chronicle the area’s vibrant and violent past. This community is surrounded by gorgeous alpine lakes, glaciers, and valleys, creating a natural playground to explore and love. The odd mountain passes and tunnels with whistling trains serve as additional reminders of the region’s technical past.

The legendary Devil’s Bridge (named after the notion that it could only be erected with the devil’s help, thus the name) was formerly a gateway from north to south over the huge Gotthard. The rising Gotthard Massif gives rise to four water streams known as the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino, and Rhone. The bridge and a scenic journey to the Rhine’s source (part of a five-day staged trip called “the four sources route”) are only two of the notable sights near Uri Canyon.

Walking along the cobblestone streets of Andermatt’s center, you’ll come across attractive and unique buildings that stretch from the major river bridge to the Gemsstock cable car. The Aurora hotel, located across the street from the Gemsstock cable car, as well as the Talmuseum Ursern, provide views of the small streets.

Nonetheless, the appearance and function of this community have been changing, beginning in 2013 with the opening of the first luxury hotel, The Chedi Andermatt. As part of the new SkiArena development project, the town will see six upmarket hotels, 490 apartments, and 25 chalets, which will both quadruple the size of the original village and, with new lifts set to open in 2018, place it firmly on the map of alpine ski resorts.

The Skiarena Andermatt Sedrun’s 125 kilometers of runs reach far up the slopes of Switzerland’s Urserental Valley. Skiers and snowboarders of all levels will find a variety of fun runs to carve to their hearts’ delight here. Beginners can find 28 kilometers of easy terrain across the ski area, while intermediates will find 57 kilometers of red-marked lines. Experts will love the fact that there are 40 kilometers of black-marked tracks to dig their teeth into. There are 24 lifts distributed around the ski area to transport skiers and snowboarders up the mountain.

Every Thursday, the SnowNight Sedrun takes place, giving skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to hit the Dieni – Milez slope after the sun goes down. As if that weren’t enough, the sled run is also flood-lit, and the mountain’s eateries are open late into the evening.

The Skiarena is an excellent place for children. Three children’s playgrounds cater to the youngest visitors, and personnel from local ski schools are well-versed in assisting youngsters in getting a good start on the snow. The Valtgeva snow park is well-equipped with a beginner’s garden, tubing course, magic carpet lift, and other amenities. Meanwhile, the Kinderparadies Realp, equipped with a children’s lift and a gentle slope, is an excellent spot to practice your first spins on two skis. If the kids’ energy levels start to drop, they may recharge in their very own restaurant, the Kinderrestaurant Valtgeva.

The terrain park and CrossPark Teiga Gronda, as well as G-Park Gemsstock, are freestyle enthusiasts’ dream. The terrain park, which is located on a sunny slope above 2,000 meters, has well-groomed features like as jumps, boxes, and rails, as well as a 100-meter half-pipe. The neighboring Chill-Lounge is ideal for unwinding between workouts, while the 800 m ski and boardercross circuit gives a true adrenaline rush for the brave and skilled. The three lines of the course, which vary in complexity, include severe waves, tables, leaps, and banked turns. The G-Park am Gemsstock boasts natural features as well as challenging jumps and rails, all complemented by the latest music in the G-Park-Lounge. The Gotthart region is extremely popular among freeride enthusiasts, and the Gemsstock is a must-see for powder hunters.

Cable cars on opposite sides of the hamlet connect to the two ski resorts above Andermatt: Nätschen to the north-east and Gemsstock to the south, with some extremely gnarly off-piste in between that compensates for the lack of reels of routes. Both lifts aren’t the most contemporary, but that’s part of their beauty and, for the time being, keeps the crowds at away. We appreciate that you can take a 10-minute train to Nätschen, which also connects to Sedrun and a ton of novice terrain, and that it runs late one night a week for night skiing. It won’t be long until this is the only lift-served ski area in central Switzerland.

At the moment, the heart of the beginner terrain here is two dedicated progression lifts at Nätschen and an easy blue run from Gutsch to the town, and as gorgeous as they are, they’ll become old. Beginners should use the Oberalp mountain train to Sedrun. This is the most learner-friendly region you’ll find, with the smoothest progressions from carpet slopes to mild blues and even cruisy reds if you make it that far, all of which are included in a SkiArena lift pass.

Intermediates will feel more at home at the nearby resorts, which include wide open red slopes and fast blue runs on both mountains, as well as a lengthy black run for more experienced skiers and snowboarders. When you start repeated runs, the train will pick you up and carry you to other fields. Zigzag down reds via Calmut, Val-Val, and on to Sedrun for an epic journey before taking the choo choo back to the station. Don’t be turned off by stories of Gemsstock’s terror. From the peak all the way down to the Gurschen intermediate station, the Sonnenpiste is a broad, open-air red with vistas that will throw you off-piste if you’re not cautious.

Without a doubt, Gemsstock is a destination ski area for any serious snow enthusiast. The stunning black Russi run through the Gurschen Glacier to the intermediate station is worth the journey in and of itself. But it’s the off-piste here that you’ll remember… Dedicate at least one mid-morning to the difficult Guspis path into Hospental for lunch at the Gasthaus St Gotthard (taxi or bus it back).

The broad free riding areas and the largest half pipe in Central Switzerland at Sedrun, as well as a boarding school, provide for excellent snowboarding conditions.

This will be a different (read: even more epic) story when the lifts to Sedrun open. Enjoy the peace and quiet for the time being.

Après-ski takes a back place in Andermatt, but the town does have a few lively bars, and with the swanky new Chedi bar, things have taken a turn toward mixologists and champagne. Visit the colorful, wooden Spycher for pizzas that taste like they’re from Italy, or the Gasthaus Zum Sternen for classic Swiss delicacies like egg-topped rösti served by servers in lederhosen. Best aspects about dining out in this area is that the costs are often lower than in other parts of Switzerland.

After supper, you’ll likely have to wait until the weekend for anything approximating true enjoyment. During the week, be ultra-chic at the Chedi’s wine and cigar library. Make up for it on Saturday in subterranean Pinte, where it’s all about the bass and filled with fresh faces.

Aside from maximizing and relaxing on food and drink, off-slope activities include the Chedi’s Asian-inspired spa, which has a panoramic pool in which you’ll want to get all wrinkled. Outside, you may attempt ice climbing, skate on natural rinks, take a sleigh ride through town, go tobogganing on the 5km (traffic-free) Oberalp Pass road, and basically soak up all the Swissness.