What to Wear on Gornergrat
Zermatt already has a chilly reputation and it’s important to dress even more warmly when taking the train to Gornergrat because it’s nearly 1,500 metres higher. Zermatt village sits at 1,620 metres; the Gornergrat railway climbs to 3,089 metres in around 33 minutes. The MeteoSwiss station at 3,129 metres records an average daily high of 9.2°C in July and −6.0°C in January, and the viewing terraces are open to the wind on every side.
What to wear at Gornergrat in summer
A warm midlayer and a windproof, waterproof shell jacket over normal trousers. Gornergrat is the warmest of the three big Swiss sightseeing summits in summer, but 9°C with wind, after a morning at 20°C in Zermatt, still feels cold if you are standing still taking photographs of the Matterhorn. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat you can pull on.
What to wear at Gornergrat in winter
An insulated jacket or a shell with a substantial midlayer, thermal socks, warm gloves, and a hat that covers your ears. The train is heated; the terrace, the astronomical observatory viewpoint and the walk to the hotel are not.
If you are also going to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
If you’re headed to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, pack for a different mountain. At 3,883 metres it is Europe's highest cable car station, roughly 800 metres above Gornergrat, and the glacier palace inside is below freezing all year. Full winter clothing there in July is normal, not overcautious.
The best footwear for Gornergrat
Closed shoes with grip. The terraces are snow-covered for much of the year and can be icy in the morning. Trainers work in fair conditions; boots are more comfortable in deep winter. Leave the smooth-soled shoes in the hotel.
Do you need ski pants at Gornergrat?
No, unless you are skiing. Sightseeing at Gornergrat means terraces, a short walk and a restaurant, and ski pants are too warm for the train. Skiers, of course, arrive already dressed for the mountain, which is why the terrace often looks like a lift station.
Renting instead of packing
Cirkel Supply delivers premium ski jackets, midlayers, gloves and backpacks to accommodation in Zermatt, so you can travel with hand luggage and still be dressed for 3,089 metres. See our Zermatt page for delivery details, or our Zermatt holiday guide for planning the rest of the trip.
Read next: our full guide to what to wear sightseeing in Switzerland.
