Verbier or Zermatt?
These two are close on 5 of 9 measures. That is the honest answer: the numbers will not choose for you, so the difference below that matters to you is the one to decide on.
Switzerland
Verbier
The freeride capital of Switzerland, with lift-accessed terrain that punishes the underprepared. Expensive in every direction, and the 4 Vallées lift network shows its age away from the main spine.
Worth knowing. Expensive in every direction, and the lifts show their age away from the main spine.
Choose it if
Snowboarders
About £1,723 a week from London
Switzerland
Zermatt
Car-free, snow-sure to 3,883 m, linked to Cervinia, and set under the most photographed mountain in the world. Also among the most expensive lift passes in the Alps, and a long transfer from anywhere.
Worth knowing. Among the most expensive passes in the Alps, and a long transfer from anywhere.
Choose it if
A non-skiing partner
About £1,906 a week from London
Side by side
| Verbier | Zermatt | |
|---|---|---|
| Snow reliability | 70/100 | 85/100 |
| Size of the ski area | 410 km linked | 360 km linked |
| Top lift | 3330 m | 3883 m |
| Cost before travel | €1770 | €1960 |
| Families with young kids | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Snowboarders | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| A non-skiing partner | 6/10 | 9/10 |
| Budget and après | 3/10 | 2/10 |
| Off-piste | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Bold marks the winner. Rows where neither is bold are close enough that the difference would not change a decision. Cost excludes travel, which depends on where you leave from.
Piste kilometres, lift counts and prices are indicative and compiled from public sources — they have not yet been checked against the resort's own figures for this season. Costs are planning estimates, not quotes. Spotted one that is wrong? Tell us.