Recognized as one of the steepest and most challenging resorts in Switzerland, packed with tight couloirs and gnarly pitches, advanced and expert skiers will love the relatively small resort of Andermatt. Because of its location near the northern edge of the Alps, Andermatt also catches a good deal of snow that doesn't make it to other resorts-this of course means more powder but also higher avalanche risk. Traditionally, the small size of the village has kept crowds equally small, but book your ticket now, because that could all change soon. The Egyptian development company Orascom Hotels and Development has recently gained development rights in the town and is beginning a project that will add-among other amenities-400 residential units, 50 private villas, and luxury hotels with 800 guest rooms to the village. Despite the sizeable expansion to the resort, Orascom was able to bypass Swiss laws restricting land ownership by foreigners in part because of its commitment to preserve the cultural and historic integrity of Andermatt, so even in the wave of development, there's hope that the resort's charm will remain unscathed.
Andermatt has also been in the news recently for its efforts to curtail the melting of the Gurschen Glacier, which has sunk nearly 66 feet in the past 15 years. This loss has impeded early-season access to some of the best off-piste skiing on the hill, forcing trail crews to do some fancy work with their groomers to fill the void. During the summers, the resort has also experimented by covering the glacier in giant heat- and rain-deflecting blankets designed to slow ice melting.
Expert skiers will particularly love descending from the top of the 9,800-foot-high Gemsstock, where, until recently, the Swiss military's elite alpine units trained. While the resort is particularly popular among advanced skiers, Andermatt, with 20 lifts and 51 miles of marked trails, offers something for every ability level. Beginners should head to the Gotthard area for more gentle cruisers, and intermediates will thrive on the groomers below Gemsstock.
As of now there's not much else to do in the winter in Andermatt besides ski (alpine or cross country), sled, hike, or ice skate, and the selection of restaurants and nightlife remain pretty tame. But keep your eye on this typically Swiss village as it continues to develop. And don't overlook the eye-popping vistas into the heart of the Swiss Alps, spanning some 600 different peaks.
Andermatt has also been in the news recently for its efforts to curtail the melting of the Gurschen Glacier, which has sunk nearly 66 feet in the past 15 years. This loss has impeded early-season access to some of the best off-piste skiing on the hill, forcing trail crews to do some fancy work with their groomers to fill the void. During the summers, the resort has also experimented by covering the glacier in giant heat- and rain-deflecting blankets designed to slow ice melting.Expert skiers will particularly love descending from the top of the 9,800-foot-high Gemsstock, where, until recently, the Swiss military's elite alpine units trained. While the resort is particularly popular among advanced skiers, Andermatt, with 20 lifts and 51 miles of marked trails, offers something for every ability level. Beginners should head to the Gotthard area for more gentle cruisers, and intermediates will thrive on the groomers below Gemsstock.
As of now there's not much else to do in the winter in Andermatt besides ski (alpine or cross country), sled, hike, or ice skate, and the selection of restaurants and nightlife remain pretty tame. But keep your eye on this typically Swiss village as it continues to develop. And don't overlook the eye-popping vistas into the heart of the Swiss Alps, spanning some 600 different peaks.
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