Switzerland
Zermatt in December
❄️ Snowy winterCold and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat
Why December scores 8.1What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.4
- !Cold (2°C highs / -6°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -9.4°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~47 mm rain)
- Air quality10.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~2 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jul | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.1 Very good | 9.5 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Snowy winter | ☀️ Summer |
| High / low | 2° / -6° | 20° / 8° |
| Rain | 47 mm | 59 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -9° | dew pt 7° |
| PM2.5 | 2 µg/m³ | 3 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Zermatt weather-station normals. Rainfall: Zermatt weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Zermatt
- Snowy daysIn DecemberTypical datesSnow likely Oct–Apr (most in Dec: ~8 days)
Average number of days with snowfall at Zermatt. About 57 cm of snow falls in an average Dec.
Source: Zermatt weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)
Explore ZermattEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA car-free Alpine village in Switzerland at the foot of the Matterhorn, known for skiing, hiking and mountain railways.
Ski seasonDate variesUsually late November to April
The main winter ski season, with runs linked across the border to Cervinia in Italy.
Why go: Book well ahead for holiday weeks.
Where: Ski areas
Coming up later
Swiss National DayEvery year1 August every year
Switzerland's national day, marked in the village with bonfires, lanterns and fireworks.
Why go: It is a public holiday, and mountain huts and hotels are busy.
Where: Village
Matterhorn views
The pyramid-shaped peak is visible from the village and from many trails and lifts.
Gornergrat Railway
A cogwheel railway to a viewpoint over glaciers and the Matterhorn.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Europe's highest cable car station, with year-round snow and glacier views.
Five Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg)
A hike past lakes reflecting the Matterhorn.
Skiing and Matterhorn ski paradise
An extensive ski area linked with Cervinia in Italy.
💡 Some glacier skiing is available in summer.
Raclette
Melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, a Valais specialty.
💡 Restaurants
Cheese fondue
Melted cheese with wine for dipping bread.
💡 Restaurants
Rösti
Grated potato cake.
💡 Mountain restaurants
Valais wine
Wines from the Valais region.
💡 Wine bars
Swiss chocolate
Chocolate from Swiss makers, sold in bars and gift boxes.
💡 Shops
Swiss Army knives
The classic Swiss folding multi-tool, often engraved on request.
💡 Shops in Zermatt