There are few places on Earth where skiing meets such dramatic scenery as Zermatt, Switzerland. Sitting at 1,620 metres in the Valais Alps, this car-free village gazes directly up at the Matterhorn — arguably the most recognizable mountain silhouette in the world — while offering access to one of Europe's largest and highest ski areas. The Matterhorn Ski Paradise connects with Italy's Cervinia to form a staggering 360 kilometres of marked pistes, with a summit elevation of 3,899 metres at the Klein Matterhorn, guaranteeing snow-sure conditions from November through to late spring.
February 2026 is shaping up to be an excellent month for Zermatt. The resort has been building a solid snowpack through the winter, current conditions report packed powder on the groomed runs, and a significant snowfall event is forecast for mid-week that should refresh the entire ski area. Here is your complete guide to Zermatt weather and skiing conditions for the week ahead.
Quick Snapshot — Zermatt This Week:
Base snow depth: 33 cm at resort level (1,620 m) | Upper mountain: 76 cm+
Pistes open: 279 of 322 km
Lifts open: 42 of 54
Piste condition: Packed powder and groomed snow
Temperature range: -10°C to -5°C at mid-mountain (2,720 m)
Fresh snow expected: 12–25 cm mid-week
Wind: Generally light, freshening mid-week
Current Snow and Piste Report
Zermatt's snowpack at the beginning of February 2026 reflects a season that started well and has been maintained by consistently cold temperatures at altitude. While the resort-level base depth of 33 centimetres is modest, this figure is somewhat misleading — Zermatt's skiing really begins at the mid-mountain stations, where depths are substantially greater. The upper mountain, particularly the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area above 3,000 metres, carries reliable deep snow that has been compacted and layered over several months of accumulation.
The latest snow report from the resort rates conditions as "powder / hard" — a mix that reflects the variety you will find across different aspects and altitudes. North-facing slopes above 2,500 metres are holding soft, powdery snow from the most recent falls, while south-facing lower pistes have firmed up under the February sun and are skiing fast and smooth after grooming. Approximately 279 of the available 322 kilometres of piste are currently open, which represents excellent coverage for this stage of the season.
The grooming teams in Zermatt have been particularly active, and morning corduroy on the main pistes is of outstanding quality. The flagship Italian run — the descent from Plateau Rosa down to Cervinia — is open and in excellent condition, offering a unique cross-border skiing experience where you can have lunch in Italy and ski back to Switzerland the same afternoon.
Day-by-Day Weather Forecast: February 8–14, 2026
Sunday, February 8 — Mostly Dry, Cold
The week opens with a settled pattern. Expect mostly cloudy skies with occasional bright spells, particularly in the morning. Temperatures at mid-mountain (2,720 m) range from -10°C overnight to -6°C in the afternoon. No significant precipitation expected. The groomed pistes will be in superb condition — firm and fast in the morning, holding their quality through the day thanks to the cold temperatures. Wind remains light at 5–10 km/h from the south. An excellent day for covering distance across the entire Matterhorn Ski Paradise.
Monday, February 9 — Fair, Continued Cold
Another dry day with a mix of cloud and sunshine. Temperatures remain well below freezing at all skiing altitudes, with a high of -5°C at 2,720 m. Visibility should be good to very good, making this ideal for the high-altitude runs around the Klein Matterhorn and Trockener Steg. UV levels at altitude will be high — sunscreen and quality eyewear are essential. The Italian side (Cervinia connection) will see slightly milder temperatures and potentially better afternoon light.
Tuesday, February 10 — Cloud Increasing, Slight Warming
Cloud cover builds through the day as a weather system approaches from the southwest. Temperatures nudge slightly warmer at mid-mountain, reaching -5°C. No precipitation yet, but the barometric pressure is dropping. This is the last fully dry day before the mid-week storm, so it is worth making the most of the current piste conditions. Winds begin to freshen from the west in the afternoon.
Wednesday, February 11 — Snow Arrives, Heavy at Times
The main event of the week. A substantial frontal system moves through the Valais from Wednesday morning, bringing continuous snowfall that intensifies through the afternoon and evening. Models suggest 15–20 cm of fresh snow at mid-mountain, with potentially more at higher elevations. The freezing level drops below resort level, ensuring all precipitation falls as snow. Winds pick up to 20–30 km/h from the west-southwest, and some exposed upper lifts may experience temporary closures. Visibility above 2,500 metres will be poor. The tree-line runs around Sunnegga and the sheltered slopes of Riffelberg offer the best visibility options.
Thursday, February 12 — Lingering Snow, Then Clearing
Morning snow showers gradually ease through the day, with skies beginning to clear from the northwest by late afternoon. An additional 5–10 cm accumulates before the precipitation ends. Temperatures drop sharply as cold air floods in behind the front: expect -12°C at mid-mountain by evening. Winds ease to light. Late-afternoon skiing could be spectacular as the clouds part to reveal freshly powdered slopes under the emerging sun.
Friday, February 13 — Bluebird Powder Day
Friday has all the makings of a classic Zermatt powder day. Clear skies, cold temperatures (high of -8°C at 2,720 m), light winds, and 20+ centimetres of fresh snow on the mountain. The groomed pistes will be perfection — machine-prepared corduroy over a fresh base — while off-piste areas will hold soft, dry powder. The views of the Matterhorn should be extraordinary against a deep blue winter sky. Get out early: powder days in Zermatt get tracked quickly, especially around Stockhorn and Rothorn.
Saturday, February 14 — Sunny, Cold, Exceptional Skiing
Valentine's Day brings continued fine weather. Clear to partly cloudy skies, temperatures between -10°C and -6°C at mid-mountain, and virtually no wind. The fresh snow will have settled and consolidated slightly, offering a wonderful surface across all aspects. This is an outstanding day for a long run — consider the full descent from the Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m) down to Zermatt village (1,620 m), a vertical drop of over 2,200 metres that is one of the longest ski runs in the Alps.
Weekly Temperature and Snow Summary
| Day |
High (2,720 m) |
Low (2,720 m) |
Fresh Snow |
Conditions |
| Sun 8 | -6°C | -10°C | 0 cm | Mostly dry, cold |
| Mon 9 | -5°C | -10°C | 0 cm | Fair, sunny spells |
| Tue 10 | -5°C | -9°C | Trace | Cloud increasing |
| Wed 11 | -5°C | -10°C | 15–20 cm | Heavy snow |
| Thu 12 | -8°C | -12°C | 5–10 cm | Snow easing, clearing |
| Fri 13 | -8°C | -11°C | 0 cm | Bluebird powder |
| Sat 14 | -6°C | -10°C | 0 cm | Sunny, excellent |
Where to Ski in Zermatt This Week
Sunnegga–Rothorn (2,288 m – 3,103 m)
The sun-drenched side of Zermatt, Sunnegga is accessed by the fastest underground funicular in the Alps, whisking you from the village to 2,288 metres in just three minutes. The slopes here face south and benefit from long sunshine hours, making them ideal for the cold early-week days. The panoramic restaurant at Blauherd (2,571 m) offers arguably the best direct view of the Matterhorn from any restaurant in the resort. After the mid-week storm, the off-piste couloirs accessible from Rothorn will hold exceptional powder.
Gornergrat (3,089 m – 3,130 m)
The historic Gornergrat railway, one of the highest open-air rack railways in Europe, delivers stunning scenic access to wide, intermediate-friendly slopes. The Kelle run back toward Riffelberg is a cruising favourite, and the views of the Monte Rosa massif from the summit station are breathtaking. Snow conditions here are reliable and consistent. This area pairs beautifully with the mid-week snowfall.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 m)
Europe's highest cable car station provides access to guaranteed snow at extreme altitude. The glacier skiing here is open year-round, but February conditions are among the best — deep packed snow, cold temperatures preserving quality, and spectacular high-alpine scenery. The run down to Trockener Steg is suitable for confident intermediates and offers an altitude experience unlike any other in Europe. From here, you can also access the cross-border connection to Cervinia.
Cervinia Connection (Italy)
The shared ski area between Zermatt and Cervinia represents one of the great achievements of European ski infrastructure. Italian-side slopes tend to be wider, sunnier, and slightly gentler — perfect for long, cruising runs. After the Wednesday snowfall, conditions on the Italian side should be outstanding. Do not miss the chance to have a leisurely Italian lunch in Cervinia before skiing back to Switzerland.
Avalanche and Safety Information
Avalanche Risk: The Swiss avalanche warning service (SLF/WSL) is reporting a danger level of 2 (Moderate) at the start of the week, likely rising to 3 (Considerable) following the Wednesday–Thursday snowfall. Fresh wind slabs will form on northeast and north-facing slopes above 2,600 metres. Off-piste skiers should carry full safety equipment and check the daily bulletin at whiterisk.ch before venturing beyond marked runs.
Zermatt has a well-organized system of freeride checkpoints and information boards at key mountain access points. The resort also offers daily avalanche awareness briefings during the winter season. If you are unfamiliar with the backcountry terrain, the Zermatt Alpine Center provides certified guides for both on- and off-piste adventures.
What to Wear and Essential Gear
Zermatt's high altitude means temperatures are consistently cold throughout the ski day, particularly at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise where wind chill can bring effective temperatures well below -20°C. Dress in three layers: a technical base layer for moisture management, an insulating mid-layer (down or high-loft synthetic), and a waterproof shell. Insulated ski gloves or mittens are essential — hands lose heat quickly on long chairlift rides at altitude. A good-quality helmet with goggles is strongly recommended, and many rental shops in the village can supply these if you prefer to travel light.
The intense UV radiation at 3,000+ metres makes sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm with UV protection non-negotiable, even on overcast days. Altitude sickness is rare at typical ski elevations, but some visitors experience mild headaches or fatigue on their first day above 3,500 metres. Staying hydrated and ascending gradually helps.
Getting to Zermatt
Zermatt is famously car-free. The nearest airports are Geneva (approximately 3.5 hours by train), Zurich (approximately 3.5 hours by train), and the smaller regional airports at Sion and Bern. The most scenic approach is by train — the Swiss Rail network connects seamlessly to Zermatt via Visp, and the final stretch through the Mattertal valley is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Switzerland. If you are driving, park at the terminal station in Täsch (5 km from Zermatt) and take the shuttle train, which runs every 20 minutes and takes just 12 minutes.
Après-Ski and Village Life
Zermatt village is an enchanting blend of traditional Valais charm and world-class luxury. The Bahnhofstrasse, the main pedestrian thoroughfare, is lined with upscale boutiques, Swiss watch shops, and gourmet restaurants. For après-ski, the Hennu Stall above the Patrullarve descent is legendary — live music, cold beer, and panoramic views as the sun sets behind the Matterhorn. In the village, the Papperla Pub and the Vernissage (a bar-cinema-gallery hybrid inside a former warehouse) offer more evening entertainment. For fine dining, Restaurant Chez Vrony on the slopes of Sunnegga serves outstanding Valais cuisine with a Matterhorn view that justifies the prices.
Full Zermatt Forecast on WFY24
For the full 16-day Zermatt weather forecast with hourly data, wind speeds, and precipitation probability, visit the Zermatt weather page on WFY24.com.
Last updated: February 8, 2026. Weather forecasts are subject to change. For real-time conditions and the latest snow report, visit WFY24.com.
