Photo: Andermatt TO/ Heinz Baumann
The Ultimate Guide to Andermatt
Discover the beautiful chocolate-box ski resort of Andermatt
Published at: 30 Nov 2020
Last updated at: 10 Jan 2023
Located in the Ursen Valley in the Swiss Alps this beautiful resort has some challenging skiing and amazing ski-touring opportunities.
Alicia Bryan
About Andermatt
Located in the Ursen Valley in the Swiss Alps, Andermatt has an altitude of 1437m and is situated at the centre of the Saint-Gotthard Massif. Popular for weekend breaks, this beautiful resort has some challenging skiing and amazing ski-touring opportunities. An old fashioned chocolate-box resort, Andermatt has undergone huge redevelopment to see the town double in size. With new ski links connecting the resort with Oberalp and the Sedrun ski area, skiers can now enjoy the largest ski area in Switzerland. A resort with a wonderful village atmosphere and full of activities for all ages, Andermatt is set amidst the Gemsstock mountain and provides particularly enjoyable skiing opportunities for intermediate and expert skiers.
Photo: Andermatt TO/Valentin Luthiger
Photo: Andermatt TO Laura Riedi
Winter in Andermatt
Boasting an incredible snow record and with the merge of Ski Arena Andermatt-Sedrun and Bergbahnen Disentis, skiers visiting Andermatt can enjoy more than 180km of outstanding pistes. With two main ski areas, beginner skiers are best suited to the slopes in Nätschen, Gütsch and Oberalp, while intermediates can explore plenty of red runs with around half the pistes suiting intermediates. Best suited to advanced skiers, the Gemstock mountain is renowned for the famous Bernhard Russi black run, with some incredible off-piste skiing making Andermatt a paradise for advanced skiers.
For the non-skiers of the group, Andermatt also has plenty of alternative winter activities to offer including snowshoes tours, horse sleigh rides and tobogganing. For fans of cross country skiing, the Ursen valley provides great conditions for both classic and skating cross country skiing.
Photo: Andermatt TO Valentin Luthiger
Where to Stay in Andermatt
Luxury Ski Chalets in Andermatt
Photo: The Chedi Andermatt
Located in the heart of Andermatt, the world-renowned 5* Chedi hotel designed by Jean-Michel combines both traditional Swiss style with a subtle Asian aesthetic to create one of Europe's most exclusive hotels. One of the hotel's beautiful suites, Gemstock Suite has plenty of room in which to relax in style with a double-sided fireplace separating the living room from the bedroom. Able to accommodate three adults and a child, or two adults and two children, Gemstock Suite has one double bedroom, a sofa bed and a roll away bed as well as a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with a beautiful freestanding bathtub.
The largest of the hotel's suites, Furka Suite has three bedrooms to accommodate up to eight guests. With the facilities of a luxury ski chalet at just a five-minute walk from the slopes, Furka suite has a cosy living room with a central fireplace as well as a dining room with a well-equipped kitchen and balcony. Guests staying in Furka Suite also benefit from the use of their own private spa found on the upper level of the suite with a steam bath, sauna and jacuzzi, as well as the use of the Chedi spa with a 35-meter indoor swimming pool and a 12-metre outdoor pool.
Where to Eat & Drink in Andermatt
From the infamous Chedi restaurants to cosy mountain restaurants, Andermatt has a delightful selection of dining spots for guests to enjoy during their stay in this beautiful Alpine resort. For those looking to enjoy traditional Swiss cuisine, restaurant Ochsen specialises in fondue and raclette and has a cosy and rustic atmosphere. Famous for its rösti with around 13 variations, Gasthaus Tell is also a popular spot with friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Awarded one Michelin star and 16 GaultMillau points in 2017, the Chedi Japanese restaurant also provides top-quality authentic Japanese cuisine with a western haute twist and open studio kitchens so you can watch as your food is prepared with a sushi and sashimi bar.
Located in the centre of Andermatt, Spycher has both indoor and outdoor seating so you can enjoy the sunshine on a bluebird day. A peaceful spot, Spycher is popular for both its pizzas and calzones but also makes a great spot for a drink or two after a day on the slopes.
Top Events in Andermatt
This beautiful year-round destination has exciting activities in both summer and winter for all to enjoy. During the month of June, Andermatt welcomes the four day Andermatt summer music festival to celebrate the finest artists of the New Generation Festival as well as projects co-produced with the Catskill Jazz Factory. Celebrating music from Mozart and Brahms, the Andermatt Winter festival 2020 will also be celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth.
Taking place in March, the legendary King of the mountain has been one of Switzerland's most popular freeride events for many years. With around 100 free-riders each year skiing on the Gurschenstock to compete in the 4.6km run to Gurschenmatt with a difference in altitude of 943m. In previous years, the fastest racer has crossed the finish line in around 3 minutes.
Photo: Andermatt TO/Mike Niederhauser
Summer in Andermatt
An adventure playground for young and old, summer in Andermatt is the perfect time to discover the pristine alpine countryside hidden under snow in the winter months. With eight Alp passes nearby for the road bike, this stunning resort is also full of mountain bike and hiking trails waiting to be explored. For the adventurous members of the group, Andermatt guides will take you on an Alpine adventure as you climb famous 4000m peaks while golf lovers can enjoy Andermatt's 18 hole golf course. Adjacent to the village and at a size of over 6km long, this stunning course was designed by the renowned golf course architect Kurt Rossknecht making it one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Alps.
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