Short answer
Andermatt is an old village at 1,444 metres in the middle of the Swiss Alps, where the roads and railways over the Gotthard, Furka and Oberalp meet. From here the ski area crosses the Oberalp Pass to Sedrun, with about 70 kilometres of pistes, and on the other side of the village is the Gemsstock for experienced skiers. Andermatt gets a lot of snow, is easy to reach by train from Zurich and has a children's area with a free conveyor belt.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Switzerland, Uri
- Ski area
- Andermatt–Oberalp–Sedrun (and Gemsstock)
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1444 – 2961 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 70 km
- Lifts
- 13
- Season
- December – April
- Nearest airports
- Zurich (approx. 2 h 30)
- Train
- Train to Göschenen, then mountain railway (about 10 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,8 / 5
- Beginner slopes Matti Kinderland with a free conveyor belt, but only a quarter of the pistes are blue.
- Snow reliability Andermatt often gets a lot of snow, and the Gemsstock reaches almost 3,000 metres.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts A compact village where the lifts and the train are reached on foot.
- More than skiing Trains over the passes and an old village, but fewer activities for children than in bigger resorts.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Andermatt lies in a wide valley in the middle of the Swiss Alps, where the old roads over the Gotthard, Furka and Oberalp meet. The village has been a hub for travellers for hundreds of years, and today it is the trains that connect it – including the Glacier Express, which passes on its way between Zermatt and St Moritz.
For skiers, Andermatt is known for two things: a lot of snow and a ski area that stretches over the Oberalp Pass to Sedrun.
Two sides of Andermatt
- Towards Oberalp and Sedrun – from the village the lifts go up towards the Oberalp Pass and on down to Sedrun in Graubünden. This is where the wider slopes and the children's area are.
- Gemsstock – Andermatt's highest mountain, at almost 3,000 metres, with steep pistes and famous skiing away from the pistes. It is for experienced skiers – skiing away from the pistes only with a guide, and never with children.
The pistes
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 18 km | 26 % |
| Red | 40 km | 57 % |
| Black | 12 km | 17 % |
The area between Andermatt and Sedrun has about 70 kilometres of pistes, between 1,444 and 2,600 metres, and then there is the Gemsstock. Most of it is red, so Andermatt suits best when the children can already ski a little.
The snow
Andermatt lies in the middle of the Alps, and the weather can come from both north and south. That is why the village often gets a lot of snow, and the area is among the more snow-sure in Switzerland. It can also be cold – bring extra warm clothes.
Andermatt with kids
- Matti Kinderland – a children's area with a free conveyor belt where the youngest can practise.
- Ski school in the village.
- The lift ticket for children costs about half the adult pass.
We go through how to plan the week with ski school and rest days in ski trips with children.
How to get to Andermatt
- By train: take the train to Göschenen and the mountain railway through the Schöllenen gorge up to Andermatt, about ten minutes. From Zurich the whole journey takes just over two hours. We go through the journey from Sweden in train to the Alps.
- By air: land in Zurich and take the train onwards.
- By car: the Furka and Oberalp passes are closed to cars in winter, but the road from Göschenen is open. Winter tyres and snow chains are required.
Andermatt or other resorts in Switzerland?
Engelberg has a glacier and a family mountain an hour from Lucerne, and in Graubünden there are Laax and Flims and Arosa Lenzerheide with many more blue slopes. Andermatt is best for the snow and for families who like trains. We compare all the Swiss resorts in ski resorts in Switzerland.
Packing for Andermatt – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Is Andermatt good for families with children?
Yes, especially the area towards Oberalp and Sedrun. There you find the Matti Kinderland children's area with a free conveyor belt and wider slopes. The Gemsstock on the other side of the village is steep and only suits experienced skiers.
What is the Gemsstock?
Andermatt's highest mountain, at almost 3,000 metres, with steep pistes and famous skiing away from the pistes. It is not an area for young children or beginners – and skiing away from the pistes only with a guide.
How do you get to Andermatt?
By train from Zurich to Göschenen and then the mountain railway up through the Schöllenen gorge to Andermatt. The whole journey takes just over two hours.
Is Andermatt snow-sure?
Andermatt sits at 1,444 metres in the middle of the Alps and often gets a lot of snow, from both north and south. The pistes towards Oberalp reach about 2,600 metres.
How much does the lift ticket cost in Andermatt?
Andermatt is one of the more expensive resorts in Switzerland, but the children's pass costs about half the adult pass. Current prices are shown by the lift company.
