"The region quickly generates a natural eagerness in the midst of breathtakingly stunning scenery with 38 four-thousand metre peaks and conveys a pure skiing experience like no other place," is how the Handelszeitung described Zermatt in its 2017-2018 Winter Sports Rankings. The qualitative overall comparison shows that Zermatt eclipses all other Alpine destinations for the fourth year in a row.
Gold Medal for Zermatt
With 74 out of a maximum of 90 possible points, Zermatt finished first among the winter sports destinations. Silver and bronze went to Lech Zürs and Ischgl with 72 and 59 points respectively. Two Zermatt hotels also appear among the five best ski hotels in the Alps: In first place is the Riffelalp Resort 2222 m and in fourth place is the Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort.
The Handelszeitung’s Justification
The following can be read in the Handelszeitung about the Matterhorn ski paradise: "The skiing experience includes 360 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes, the possibility of a constantly changing backdrop and perspective thanks to cross-valley connections, an unforgettable "hut culture" and continuously modernised mountain lifts. Guests are active more than average and impart a sense of a casual and athletic atmosphere."
Broadly Based Evaluation
Every year, the Handelszeitung selects the best winter sports resorts. The evaluation is based on a survey among 35 tourism experts as well as evaluations made by trade publications from the travel industry and test portals. The on-site experiences of the author, Claus Schweitzer, are also included in the ratings.