Famous for mountaineering and skiing, Zermatt Switzerland is a a destination that offers so much for visitors. Altitude sickness can be a concern for many though. As a high-altitude based company, we'll share everything you need to know about Zermatt altitude and our top steps to avoid Zermatt altitude sickness.
Zermatt altitude sits at a base of 5310 (1620 m) feet above sea level. With a summit at 12792 feet high (3899 m), Zermatt has a massive vertical drop of 7,477 feet (2,279 m).
Zermatt is a picturesque village in the Swiss Alps of Switzerland, situated at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn mountain and known for its world-class ski slopes, hiking trails, and stunning alpine scenery. Just over border, Breuil-Cervinia in Italy shares the same mountain ski area with Zermatt.
Zermatt-Matterhorn, known as Matterhorn Ski Paradise, is a winter wonderland with over 350 km (217 miles) of ski slopes that cater to skiers and snowboarders, and a popular summer destination for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts. Zermatt-Matterhorn is considered the highest skiing resort in the Alps, and even features highest cable car station in Europe that goes up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise offers breathtaking panoramic views.
When visiting Zermatt, it's essential to take take precautions with its elevation being so high.
The elevation of Zermatt goes to 12792 feet (3899m). The town and base of Zermatt is at a lower altitude of 5310 ft (1,620 m).
According to Mountain Medicine, high altitude starts at 4900 feet. Zermatt well exceeds that height even at its lowest altitude base. Its town has a similar elevation to Denver and Boulder Colorado, all considered to be at high altitudes.
Yes, people get altitude sickness in Switzerland, and specifically Zermatt has a high risk.
Altitude is noted to start at 1524 meters (5,000 ft), but nearly 50% of people will get altitude sickness at altitudes over 3048 meters (10,000 ft).¹³ As one of the highest countries in Europe, Switzerland's average elevation is 4429 ft (1350 m). It's home to 48 peaks that reach 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) or more.
With the high peak of Zermatt sitting at 3899 meters (12792 ft), altitude sickness can be very common, especially for travelers coming from sea level.
Yes, it's common for people get altitude sickness in Zermatt — and even more so if skiing, hiking or exploring the mountains that increase in altitude.
The town of Zermatt is at 5,310 feet (1,620 m), and with the mountains like Matterhorn going to 12792 ft (3899 m), altitude sickness increasingly becomes a greater risk. Over 10,000 feet can cause a 50% risk for altitude sickness.
If visiting Zermatt you should be well prepared for altitude sickness, which we'll cover more below with important steps you can take.
Zermatt altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is caused by the decreased oxygen levels with the thinner air.
Physiological and oxidative stress takes a toll on the body, which can lead to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea.
Common symptoms of altitude sickness at Zermatt:
Be on the lookout for these Zermatt altitude sickness symptoms, which can typically develop within 6-24 hours after arrival.
How can I prevent altitude sickness in Zermatt or Switzerland? Many who are visiting Zermatt to ski or vacation ask this question.
As a company with over ten years of high-altitude experience based in Colorado, we have extensive research on what steps you can take to better avoid altitude sickness.
Based on research, here's our 6 steps to avoid Zermatt altitude sickness:
In summary, take these steps to help avoid Zermatt altitude sickness — including hydrating properly, climbing high and sleeping low, limiting alcohol, getting enough sleep, avoiding strenuous activity, and taking antioxidants.
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SOURCES:
1. Zermatt Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zermatt
2. Breuil-Cervinia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breuil-Cervinia
3. Zermatt Ski Area & Altitude
https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/Experience/Zermatt-ski-area
4. How To Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Elevation
https://www.earthtrekkers.com/how-to-visit-matterhorn-glacier-paradise/
5. Facts Matterhorn Ski Paradise
https://www.zermatt.ch/en/Lifts-pistes/Panoramakarten-Facts/Summer-panorama-map
6. Zermatt Ski Resort Elevation
https://www.onthesnow.co.uk/valais/zermatt/ski-resort
7. Zermatt Skiing & Snowboarding
https://www.zermatt.ch/en/ski
8. Gornergrat Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gornergrat
9. Klein Matterhorn Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klein_Matterhorn
10. Jungfraujoch Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungfraujoch
11. Täsch Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A4sch
12. Matterhorn Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matterhorn
13. Patient education: High-altitude illness (including mountain sickness)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-altitude-illness-including-mountain-sickness-beyond-the-basics
14. How To Overcome Altitude Sickness In Switzerland
https://switzerlandtravel.swisshikingvacations.com/altitude-sickness/
15. Why Do You Need to Drink a Lot of Water at a High Altitude?
https://www.livestrong.com/article/360485-how-to-train-for-high-altitude-hiking
16. Effects of Alcohol
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
17. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
18. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
19. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
20. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
