alg

We are considering a week in Zermatt either at the end of January or end of February, 2012. The rates at the hotel I've selected increase in February, so I'm assuming ski conditions in January can be hit or miss? I know it varies every year, but can anyone provide some general guidance/feedback?

We've only skiied Switzerland once before (Wengen) and that was in March. The conditions were excellent, by the way.

kappa1

The rates are high in Feb because of Swiss school - ski holiday weeks like they are in Christmas holiday time. Snow conditions are fine in Jan.

alg

Oh, thank you!

hsv

Snow is great in January. The downside is that it can get quite chilly - and it gets dark quite early. But generally a good time to go skiing as it's less crowded than during the typical holiday periods.

swandav2000

Hi alg,

Yes, ski conditions are normally great in Zermatt because of the high altitude.

But the downside, as hsv notes, is that it gets quite chilly. Or downright freezing. The wind blows very strongly, making it the coldest skiing I've ever experienced, with blowing snow obscuring the trails and the line of skiers in my class.

I've skied the Jungfrau region three times and was never uncomfortable with the cold.

If you go, please make sure you wear lots of layers!

s