A car free village at the end of a Swiss valley with the Matterhorn standing over it, and lifts climbing to the highest ski station in Europe at close to 3900 metres. It is one of the most attractive resort villages in the Alps and expensive in a way that surprises even people who expect Switzerland to be expensive.

The skiing is long rather than steep. Descents of two thousand vertical metres are routine here, and the crossing to Cervinia in Italy and back is a full day out that most competent intermediates can manage. Cervinia on the Italian side costs a great deal less for the same lift pass, which is worth knowing if the Swiss prices are beyond you.

The glacier means skiing all year, and summer race training happens up there while the village below is in shorts. Everything from mountain huts to grand hotels, reached by train from Täsch because cars stop there. The mountain restaurants are among the best in the Alps and deserve a reservation. Save the Klein Matterhorn summit trip for a clear day.