Beyond the Slopes: Day Trips & Activities from Zermatt

If your vacation to Zermatt includes more than just carving powder, you’re in for a treat. This alpine gem offers a wealth of alternative experiences when you step off the skis. Think thermal relaxation, glacier escapes, lakeside castles, and crisp winter trails. Below is your guide to the best day trips and alternative activities from Zermatt – so you can rest, explore, and breathe in the mountains from new angles.

Brig & the Brigerbad Thermal Baths

Why Go?

Drive or ride the rails down the valley and you’ll reach Brig, a warm Swiss town filled with culture and charm. Its crown jewel is the 17th-century Stockalper Palace, with baroque architecture and a majestic presence. In winter, Brig’s winter markets and cozy Swiss eateries add to the ambiance.

Just outside the town lies Brigerbad, one of Switzerland’s largest open-air thermal bath complexes. With indoor and outdoor pools, grotto baths built into rock, several saunas, steam rooms, and a thrilling waterslide, it’s the perfect place to unwind after crisp alpine air.

How to Get There

By train from Zermatt, the journey to Brig takes about 1.5 hours.

What to Do

• Explore the Palace grounds and historic streets of Brig
• Enjoy local Swiss cuisine in the town
• Relax in thermal pools, grotto, and steam bath

Saas-Fee & the Glacier Vista

Why Go?

Known as the “Pearl of the Alps,” Saas-Fee is often quieter and more intimate than Zermatt but no less charming. Its pedestrian village, snow-kissed chalets, and dramatic glacier backdrop offer serenity and alpine charm.

How to Reach

The trip involves a train from Zermatt to Stalden-Saas, then a connecting bus to Saas-Fee. Total travel time hovers around two hours.

What to Do

• Explore the Fee Glacier
• Ice skating in the village
• Enjoy the tranquility and mountain views

Montreux, Lausanne & Lake Geneva Escapade

Why Go?

Sometimes the mountains call for a contrast. A day by Lake Geneva delivers that. Head west to Montreux and Lausanne for sweeping lake views, classical promenades, and the medieval Château de Chillon perched upon the water’s edge.

Travel Time

Riding the rails from Zermatt to Montreux or Lausanne is approximately 2.5 hours.

What to Expect

• Stroll the Montreux lakeside promenade
• Tour Château de Chillon
• Explore Lausanne’s historic center

Hiking & Snowshoeing in Zermatt

Not ready to leave the valley? You can explore it more deeply.

Winter Trails: Zermatt has over 20 marked winter hiking and snowshoeing paths, suitable for varied difficulty levels. Detailed maps of routes, elevation, and trail status are available here.

Summer Hiking: In warmer months, 250 km of trails weave through the region, with options from gentle walks to high alpine treks. Click here for more information.

Other Inspirations & Longer Adventures

Glacier Express: Combine parts of the famous Glacier Express route for dramatic passes and valley views as day excursions.

Monte Rosa Tour: A 160 km legendary hike through the Italian and Swiss Alps, connecting Zermatt with Saas-Fee via Grächen and alpine passes.

Zermatt is glorious on skis, but equally magical when you venture off them. From soaking in warm thermal springs at Brigerbad to glacial walks, lakeside castles, and endless hiking trails, your alpine escape can be rich with variety and tranquility. If you’re ready to nestle into refined comfort between adventures, check out our luxury ski chalet portfolio in Zermatt here.