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
6.5m
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
6.5m
Annual snow
Epic Pass
Pass
The Terrain
43 runs across 101 km of piste
Gemsstock rises to 2,961 metres above the old garrison town of Andermatt, and the mountain around it is the most serious high-alpine terrain in this part of Switzerland. The area covers 101 kilometres of piste across 43 runs, with 1,517 metres of vertical from the 1,444-metre base. Grades skew harder than most Swiss areas of this size: 26% beginner, 50% intermediate, 17% advanced and 7% expert. Snow averages 8 metres a year, among the highest figures in this batch. The mountain has two characters: Gemsstock is steep and exposed, while the Nätschen and Gütsch side is sunnier and far more forgiving.
Gemsstock is the draw for experts. The Bernhard Russi Run drops from the summit over the Gurschen glacier to the mid-station, and the mountain is known for powder lines such as the Felsental, Giraffe, Guspis and Geissberg. These are unpatrolled backcountry descents and call for a guide, avalanche gear and a careful read of conditions. Nätschen and Gütsch handle novices and intermediates, and the connection continues towards Sedrun over the Oberalp pass. Strong intermediates, advanced skiers and freeriders get the most from it, while beginners are better off staying on the sunny side.
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
6.5 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Andermatt
Daily snow reports at Andermatt go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
63 cm
Snowiest day
4 Apr 2019
38 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
647 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
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.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026
Sulden am Ortler Pushes Its Season Start Back a Week to 7 November
Sulden am Ortler has called off its 31 October opening. The South Tyrol ski area has pushed its 2026/27 start back to Saturday 7 November, citing current weather and snow conditions and saying it will use the extra week to get the slopes in the best possible shape. The season is still scheduled to run through 2 May 2027. Elsewhere in Europe, around a dozen areas are already open, led by Sölden’s 30 kilometres of groomed runs.
28 Oct 2026
Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds
Two days at Sölden, two races decided by a hundredth somewhere on the podium, and one very quick Brazilian. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen led from the first run to win the men’s World Cup opener by 0.48 seconds, with Loïc Meillard second and Marco Odermatt third. River Radamus charged from 15th to fourth on a rutted course, and Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith banked his first World Cup points. Braathen still hasn’t lost a giant slalom since Olympic gold.
25 Oct 2026
Andermatt Snow Report
Snow Report
Updated 30 Oct 2026
2961m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
Clear-4°C / 2°C · NE 11km/h
Snowfall
24 hours
0cm
48 hours
0cm
7 days
31cm
Base depth
0cm
Season total
38cm
Typical winter 647cm
Total lifts21
Live open status isn’t available right now.
14 Nov 2026 - 18 Apr 2027
Hour by Hour
Next 37 hours· Updated Oct 30, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
2,658 mUpdated Oct 30, 2026 at 5:02 PMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.3cm
Days 8–14
3.0cm
Sat, Oct 31
Mainly Clear
Temp2° / -4°°C
Snow0.0cm
Wind11 km/h NE
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Andermatt snow report
See what's happening on the mountain at Andermatt right now — snowfall, snow depth, and weather data to help you plan your day in Switzerland.
Snow measurements
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 1444m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 1517m higher at 2961m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Weather conditions
Current weather conditions affect snow quality. Cold temperatures with low wind typically preserve snow quality, while warm temperatures or rain can impact conditions negatively — something worth watching closely at Andermatt's 1444m base elevation, where temperatures run milder than the summit.
Data sources
Andermatt snow data is collected through a combination of on-mountain reports and weather forecasting services, giving you both official resort updates and independent forecast data in one place. The mountain is served by 21 lifts, including 2 aerial trams and 3 quad chairlifts.
When to check
The biggest swings usually happen right after a storm. Check Andermatt's report in the morning for the freshest numbers, and again in the afternoon as conditions evolve.