The month in detail
What to expect in January
Off-season for skiing Zermatt — lifts are closed. Consider hiking, mountain biking or summer activities at altitude.
January ranks 10 out of 12 months in Zermatt. Compared to December: −2°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
-10°
Daylight
8.8h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 26
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Zermatt is July (7.4/10), 6.4 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Zermatt
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Zermatt
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a mountain stay.
Country · Switzerland
🗣️LanguageGerman
💶CurrencySwiss Franc (Fr)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery expensive · 5/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeAlpine mountain climate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 19°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · -1°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJune · 32%
🏔️ Mountain stay
⛰️Village altitude1620 m
🎿Ski area1620 → 3899 m
⛷️Ski seasonDec → May
🥾Hiking seasonJun → Sep
🧗High mountains ⓘGuide recommended
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Zermatt ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
SwitzerlandAlpine mountain climate climate with a 7.4 → 0.9 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
46.02°N · 7.75°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Zermatt?
It depends on the activity. For skiing: April (ski score 7.8/10). For hiking/summer: April (7.8/10, 6.0°C).
Can you ski in Zermatt in winter?
Yes, it's peak ski season. Average ski score December–February: 6.5/10. Cold temperatures (-1°C max in January) and frequent snowfall.
Is it warm in Zermatt in summer?
In April, temperatures average 6.0°C. Best period for hiking and outdoor activities.
What is the wettest month in Zermatt?
January is the wettest month with January has the lowest climate score of the year.
Do you need sun protection in Zermatt in January?
The average UV index reaches 2 in January in Zermatt (low), with about 8.8h of daylight. No protection needed.