Ski lessons with the ZERMATTERS - Our experiences
The winter is just around the corner, and the slopes of Zermatt are calling! In our new blog post, ski school director Yannic Lerjen provides exclusive tips for optimal season preparation and guides you through our range of services. Whether it's your child's first sliding attempts with the "Snowlis" (our beginner course), group lessons in the Swiss Snow League, or individual private instruction – we will find the perfect skiing experience for you and your family. Start your ski holiday perfectly informed now!
The ski season is just around the corner! A guide to your perfect ski vacation at the foot of the Matterhorn.
For this blog post, we spoke to our ski school manager Yannic Lerjen to give you the best tips for skiing in Zermatt and the ideal preparation for the ski season.
Winter has arrived, the sun is shining over the snow-covered peaks and the glacier ski resort of Zermatt is already busy racking up kilometers of slopes. Now is the ideal time to plan your skiing vacation.
We are delighted that you are interested in skiing in Zermatt. Maybe you've already booked your accommodation. In this blog post, you can find out how to find the right ski experience with ZERMATTERS and how to prepare for the new ski season in the best possible way. We are also happy to advise you in person at our office, on the phone or by email.
In Zermatt, you can ski all year round and experience unforgettable moments on the slopes. Especially in winter, you can expect the most descents and the best conditions for every level of skier.
We cater for children, teenagers and adults alike, whether you want to learn to ski or improve your technique. We offer both group lessons and private courses, individually tailored to ability and goals.
For children, lessons are based on the Swiss Snow League from Swiss Snowsports. This allows them to progress level by level and have lots of fun at the same time. The youngest children under the age of six start with the "Snowlis", while older children go straight into the Blue League or higher. Of course, private ski lessons are also available for children.
Adults also benefit from the experience and passion of our qualified snow sports instructors. Both in private and group lessons. They will guide you with expertise, patience and enjoyment, whether you want to hone your technique or simply enjoy the slopes of Zermatt.
Classification in ski lessons is based first on age and then on your child's ability. The youngest snow sports enthusiasts between the ages of four and five belong to the Snowli (green) level. This is followed by the different levels of the Swiss Snow League: blue, red and black. This ensures that every child receives the best possible support and can make progress on skis.
Snowli: Learn to ski in a playful way in a group with children aged between four and five.
Is your child not yet six years old and would like to spend the vacations on skis? Then the Snowlis are the right place for them. The lessons are based on the level of the Swiss Snow Kids Village and are divided into three levels: Snowli Prince, Snowli King and Snowli Star. Our experienced snow sports instructors ensure that every child is placed in the appropriate level and experiences both safety and fun on skis.
In brief:
- Start: Mondays, 08:45 am in front of the tourist office at Zermatt train station
- There are always people from the ski school at the meeting point to help you and your child find the right group
- Lunch: Lunch together in the Riffelhaus (included in the price for children who have booked the whole day)
- End*: 15:00 Riffelberg station or 15:45 Gornergratbahn valley station.
*If you book the half day for your child, they will be waiting for you together with the snow sports instructor to pick them up at 11:45 am at the Snowli Park near Riffelberg.
- Children's ski race: on Friday
- Important:
- Your child must be dry
- Half a day or a whole day without you but with supervision by snow sports instructors is no problem for your child
- You organize the equipment yourself before the course starts. We are happy to recommend sports stores in Zermatt
- You organize the valid ski pass(Wolli Card for children under 9 years) for your child yourself before the start of the course.
Detailed information and booking options can be found here.
Blue, Red, Black League and Academy: For all kids from the age of six.
After the Snowlis or from the age of six, your child automatically enters the Blue League. Within the three levels Blue, Red and Black, there are three additional levels: Prince/Princess, King/Queen and Star. The proven learning concept teaches the basics of skiing and builds on them continuously. In group lessons, our experienced ski instructors accompany your child from the first plow turn to carving, short turns and first experiences with freestyle elements, freeride and racing. Safety and skiing fun always come first.
In brief:
- The three levels Blue League (beginner), Red League (advanced) and Black League & Academy (expert).
- Start: Mondays
- Blue League: 08:45 am Zermatt train station in front of the tourist office
- Red League: 09:00 am Tennis court Hotel Christiania
- Black League & Academy: 09:00 am Tennis court Hotel Christiania
- There are always people from the ski school at the meeting point to help you and your child find the right group
- Lunch: Is included and is enjoyed together with the snow sports instructors in the restaurant.
- End: The meeting point at the end of the day is always communicated by the snow sports instructor.
- Children's ski race: on Friday
- Important:
- You organize the equipment for your child yourself before the start of the course. We are happy to recommend sports stores in Zermatt
- You buy the valid ski pass(Wolli Card for children under 9 years) for your child yourself before the start of the course.
Details, requirements for the different levels and booking options can be found here.
Enjoy skiing fun in a group and improve your technique step by step. In our ski courses for adults in Zermatt, you learn in small groups with professional supervision. Whether you are just starting out or want to perfect your style - our motivated snow sports instructors will support you individually. Learning together on the slopes of Zermatt is even more fun and ensures rapid progress.
In brief:
- Start: Mondays, 09:45 am at the Eisfluh lift mountain station, below the Sunnegga Buffet restaurant
- Lunch: 1 hour individual lunch break (not included in the price)
- End*: 16:00 hrs
- There are always enough people from the ski school at the meeting point to help you find the right group
- Important:
- You organize the equipment yourself before the course starts. We can recommend sports stores in Zermatt.
- You buy the valid ski pass yourself before the start of the course.
Details, requirements for the different levels and booking options can be found here
Whether first turns, targeted technique improvement or enjoyable skiing - in private lessons, the focus is on you. Our qualified ski instructors in Zermatt adapt the ski lessons precisely to your needs. You can book an individual lesson or organize a private group to experience the variety of slopes in the Matterhorn region in the best possible way.
Tip: Private lessons that focus on technique should not be taken by children and adults together. We adapt the lessons individually to the age of the participants so that everyone benefits to the maximum.
Coming soon:
- The Matterhorn Experience (with or without pick-up)
- Start: First run
End: end of piste
- 5h private lessons (incl. breaks, with or without pick-up)
- Start: with pick-up 08:30
- Start: in the ski area 09:00 am
End: 14:00
- 3h private lessons (with or without pick-up)
- Start: 9:00 am or 12:30 pm
End: 12:00 or 15:30
- 2.5h private lessons (with or without pick-up)
- Start: 9:30 am or 12:30 pm
End: 12:00 or 15:00
- IMPORTANT
- Pick-up: Your snow sports instructor will pick you up at your accommodation. Pick-up is only possible for private lessons.
- Basically, your experience with us starts as soon as you meet your ski instructor. Be it at your accommodation (pick-up) or in the ski area.
- You organize the equipment yourself before the course starts. We can recommend sports stores in Zermatt.
- You buy the valid ski pass yourself before the start of the course.
To go skiing in Cervinia, book "The Matterhorn Experience". This gives you enough time to really enjoy Bella Italia.
Details, requirements for the different levels, experiences and booking options can be found here
We have put together a to-do list to help you prepare for the season:
- As you prepare for the winter vacations, it's helpful if you get plenty of exercise. Take a look at SUVA's tips here.
- Check whether your clothes still fit and whether the material is still in perfect condition. Helmets, for example, should be replaced every three to five years, depending on the manufacturer. If you have had a fall with your helmet, you should even replace it immediately - even if there are no visible defects.
- Take your skis in for a service and have everything checked right away. You can have a special FOEN check carried out in selected specialist stores and receive a vignette. The vignette is your guarantee that your bindings have been correctly adjusted and checked.
- Organize your rental equipment if you don't have your own.
- Before your ski vacation, check whether you are adequately covered by your insurance. There are many different ones. Here are a few examples: Cancellation insurance, liability insurance, accident insurance, evacuation insurance, ...
- Familiarize yourself with the Zermatt ski area and take a look at the piste map here.
- In Zermatt, there are numerous options for storing your ski equipment near the cable car stations. This means you don't have to carry it to the lifts and back to your accommodation every day. The easiest way to find the lockers is via Google search.
- Familiarize yourself with the applicable FIS rules of conduct.
- Make a note of the emergency number for the slopes in Zermatt: +41 27 966 01 01.
- Read exactly when and where the start of the skiing experience with ZERMATTERS is. Punctuality is the basis for a successful start to your experience. If you have any questions, you can of course contact us at the office, by phone or by e-mail at any time.
Everything done already? Then we look forward to welcoming you soon! Ski you soon!
Yannic Lerjen
*Yannic is a former ski freestyle pro, has been a ski instructor with us for many years and, as head of the ZERMATTERS Ski and Snowboard School since the 2023-2024 winter season, he takes care of all lesson assignments. He is present at the meeting points and helps to ensure that every guest finds the right snow sports instructor. He is also the contact person on site for all matters relating to snow sports lessons.
Private or group lessons - which suits me better?
A private ski or snowboard course is worthwhile if you want to make rapid progress, hone special techniques or enjoy maximum flexibility. A group course, on the other hand, is fun in a group, motivates you to learn together and is a more cost-effective option for anyone who likes to make progress in a group. No matter which option you choose - your ideal learning experience awaits you on the slopes with our Zermatt ski instructors!
Who are ski and snowboard lessons suitable for?
Whether you're a complete beginner, returning skier or experienced piste expert - ski and snowboard lessons help everyone! Beginners benefit from a solid foundation in technique and greater safety on the slopes. Returning skiers quickly regain their confidence, while advanced skiers can hone their technique - be it carving, deep-snow skiing or freestyle. With your Zermatt ski instructor, you will make exactly the progress that suits your ability - for maximum fun and success in the snow!
What should I bring to ski or snowboard lessons?
In addition to your equipment (see below), you will need suitable winter clothing, sunglasses or ski goggles and sun protection.
Whether on two boards or one - the right equipment is the key to a safe and fun experience on the slopes. Here are the most important things you need:
- Skis or snowboard - tailored to your ability and riding style
- Ski boots or snowboard boots
- Ski poles (only for skiers)
- helmet
- Gloves & hat or balaclava
- Back protector (recommended)
If you don't have your own equipment, you can hire everything locally in a sports store in Zermatt!
From what age can children take ski lessons at ZERMATTERS?
With us, little snow adventurers start their skiing fun from the age of 4! For the youngest (4-6 years) there is the Snowli Kids Village on the Riffelberg, where they can playfully make their first turns in the snow. From the age of 6, things really get going - in our group courses for 6-14 year olds, children and teenagers learn at their own pace and at different levels how to conquer the slopes safely and with lots of fun.
Snowboard group lessons only start from the age of 6.
What happens if I have to cancel lessons at short notice?
Our cancellation conditions apply. In many cases it is possible to cancel free of charge up to a certain point before the start of the course. We recommend that you check the exact conditions at the time of booking or take out travel cancellation insurance.
