More than 135 years ago, our ancestors began shaping the Zermatt mountain world – starting with the founding of the Mountain Guide Association around 1858, followed by the Ski School established in 1929. In 2019, these two institutions merged to form the ZERMATTERS cooperative – a strong alliance that today unites Climb, Ski & Board, Hike and Bike. This page takes you on a journey from our roots to who we are today: your trusted outdoor partner in Zermatt.
Our history begins in 1858 with the founding of the first mountain guide association, when the fascination for the Alps began. A milestone in Zermatt's development. Zermatt appeared on the global stage in 1865 with the legendary Matterhorn, and the mountain guides made a decisive contribution to the rise of the region. The first ski club followed in 1908 and the officially recognized ski school in 1929 - the foundation for winter sports tradition. Since 2019, ZERMATTERS has brought together all outdoor disciplines under one roof: mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking and mountain biking. Today, our guests enjoy this cross-generational expertise with the highest standards of quality, safety and an authentic mountain experience.
Each chapter stands for pioneering spirit and connection: from the proud pioneers such as Josef Marie Lochmatter or Otto Furrer to your next adventure experience. Find out more about our pioneers, our philosophy in the merger of Climb, Ski & Board and Hike & Bike and find out who we are and what we stand for.
The merger of the Mountain Guide Association and the Ski School into the ZERMATTERS cooperative was a logical step to combine strengths, create synergies, and offer our guests a holistic outdoor experience all year round. By uniting Climb, Ski & Board, Hike and Bike under one roof, we guarantee quality, safety, and local expertise across all disciplines. We stand for authentic mountain experiences, personal service, and sustainable development in harmony with our home - Zermatt.
