Andermatt
101km of piste, 2,961m summit, 1,517m vertical. Central Switzerland's largest ski area with Epic Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
14 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
155
Annual snow
8m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Andermatt spans 1,444 to 2,961 metres elevation across 101 kilometres of piste accessed via 21 lifts serving 43 marked runs. The vertical drop of 1,517 metres ranks amongst the largest in Switzerland, with the north-facing Gemsstock delivering descents that hold powder for days after storms. Annual snowfall averages 8 metres, concentrated at high elevation where the Gurschenfirn glacier ensures snow reliability from mid-November through April. Andermatt joined the Epic Pass network in 2023, offering unlimited access to passholders and solidifying its position as central Switzerland's largest ski area.
Terrain splits 26 per cent beginner, 50 per cent intermediate, 17 per cent advanced and 7 per cent expert across two distinct sectors. The Gemsstock side provides steep blacks and freeride terrain from the 2,961-metre summit, including the Bernhard Russi Run and marked routes into the Felsental. Across the valley, the Nätschen-Gütsch-Oberalppass corridor offers sun-soaked cruisers and the family-friendly KidsArena Matti at mid-station. Ski lifts link directly to Sedrun since 2018, creating a continuous 10-kilometre ski connection over Oberalppass.
The base village sits at 1,437 metres in the Urseren Valley where the Reuss River flows beneath the St Gotthard Massif. Andermatt retains its historic military-town character with cobbled streets and traditional architecture, now complemented by contemporary hotel developments on former army land. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn station integrates with lift infrastructure via underground passages, and weekend crowds from Zurich can queue at the Gemsstock cable car. Four webcams monitor conditions from Gemsstock summit to valley base.
Full Epic Pass provides unlimited skiing at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis with access extending to neighbouring Disentis via lift pass and optional Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train upgrade. The resort runs from 16 November through 21 April, with Gemsstock often extending into May on weekends. Terrain and infrastructure suit confident intermediates and expert freeriders best, whilst beginners face limited nursery options beyond Nätschen. Pricing starts at CHF 89 for advance-purchase day tickets, with children under six skiing free.
1517m
Vertical
43
Runs
101 km
Piste
8m
Annual snow
Epic Pass
Pass
The Terrain
43 runs across 101 km of piste
Andermatt spreads 43 runs across 101 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 50%, with 11 beginner runs to find your feet and 10 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
43
runs
43 runs across 4 grades
Beginner11 runs · 26%
Intermediate22 runs · 50%
Advanced7 runs · 17%
Expert3 runs · 7%
Time it right
When to visit Andermatt
Andermatt operates from 16 November 2025 through 21 April 2026, with Gemsstock often extending weekend operations into early May due to its north-facing aspect and glacier terrain. This 22-week season ranks amongst Switzerland's longest, benefiting from the resort's position near the main Alpine divide where storms from Atlantic and Mediterranean systems converge. Pre-season weekends at Disentis begin late November before full area opening mid-December. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn provides year-round rail access even when passes close.
Annual snowfall averages 8 metres with peak accumulation January through March, though reported seasonal totals vary by source from 4.4 to 5 metres depending on measurement location. The second week of January typically delivers the snowiest conditions with 49 centimetres falling across 3.6 snowy days. The Gemsstock's north-facing orientation preserves powder quality well into April above 2,400 metres, whilst lower elevations benefit from extensive snowmaking. Current season data shows 408 centimetres total snowfall with 120-centimetre base depth.
December offers quiet slopes and festive atmosphere before holiday crowds arrive, whilst January delivers cold temperatures and optimal powder conditions across all elevations. February brings half-term family visitors and busier weekends, particularly on the Nätschen beginner terrain. March and April provide longer daylight, softer snow and milder temperatures ideal for intermediates and spring skiing on Gemsstock's sustained vertical. The Oberalppass and Sedrun sectors receive more sunshine than the shadowed Gemsstock base.
New Year's Eve celebrations take place at mountain restaurants including Nätschen, Gütsch and Gurschen with extended sledging until 12:30am. Weekly Snownight Sedrun runs Thursdays with floodlit pistes between Dieni and Milez. The resort hosts freeride events including King of the Mountain competition, whilst the Avalanche Training Centre at Gurschen offers safety courses. Premium day pricing reaches CHF 99 during peak periods, with advance purchase reducing costs to CHF 89.
Season 2026 - 2027
14 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
155
Days open
8 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Andermatt, and where to stay
Andermatt occupies the Urseren Valley floor at 1,437 metres in Uri canton, positioned where the St Gotthard, Oberalp and Furka passes converge beneath the St Gotthard Massif. The village sits 28 kilometres south of Altdorf, Uri's capital, surrounded by the Lepontine Alps with the Reuss River flowing north through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge. Three Alpine passes link in all directions - Oberalp at 2,044 metres east to Graubünden, St Gotthard at 2,106 metres south to Ticino, and Furka at 2,436 metres west to Valais. This crossroads position has shaped Andermatt's role as a transit hub since medieval times.
The nearest substantial town is Göschenen 7 kilometres north down the Reuss Valley, whilst Altdorf lies 28 kilometres away on Lake Lucerne's southern shore. Hospental sits 3 kilometres east, and Realp 8 kilometres up-valley. Disentis in Graubünden lies 25 minutes east by train, now lift-linked via Sedrun since 2019. The Glacier Express scenic railway stops at Andermatt connecting Zermatt to St Moritz, whilst the historic Gotthard route passes directly beneath via the 15-kilometre rail tunnel opened 1882.
Road access follows the A2 motorway from Zurich through the Gotthard tunnel, with the Andermatt exit requiring 90 minutes' drive covering 120 kilometres. Munich lies 4 hours north via A2 and German motorways, Milan 2 hours south through the Gotthard or San Bernardino tunnels covering 185-195 kilometres. The Oberalp, Furka and St Gotthard passes close November through May, leaving tunnel routes as winter access. Parking at Gemsstock base costs CHF 30 per night for hotel guests.
Zurich Airport sits 117 kilometres north with train connections requiring 2 hours 17 minutes minimum via Zurich Hauptbahnhof and Göschenen, though typical journey time reaches 2.5-3 hours with transfers. Milan Malpensa Airport lies 195 kilometres south with 2-hour drive times or train connections via Bellinzona. Basel Airport serves as an alternative 2.5 hours northwest. The private airfield at Buochs sits 45 minutes north with a 2,000-metre runway. SBB operates hourly trains from Göschenen with 10-minute journey times, whilst the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn provides direct service from Brig, Visp and Disentis.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Andermatt, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Andermatt's ski season?
Andermatt's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 14 through April 18. That window is roughly 155 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Switzerland, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Andermatt have?
Andermatt lists about 101 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 43 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Andermatt?
Trail grading at Andermatt breaks down roughly as 26% beginner, 50% intermediate, 17% advanced, 7% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Blue/Red) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Andermatt have?
Andermatt operates 21 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 6 6-person chairs, 4 surface lifts, 3 gondolas, 3 quad chairs, 2 aerial trams, 2 t-bars, and 1 train.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Andermatt?
Base elevation at Andermatt is about 1,444 m (4,738 ft), with the summit around 2,961 m (9,715 ft), giving roughly 1,517 m (4,977 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Andermatt get each season?
Andermatt averages about 800 cm (315 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Andermatt accept the Epic Pass?
Andermatt is affiliated with the Epic Pass. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Epic Pass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Andermatt lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CHF 45 to CHF 99, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Andermatt before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 4 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Andermatt so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Andermatt have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Andermatt. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Andermatt located?
Andermatt sits in Switzerland, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026