Zermatt sits at 5,315 feet in a alpine valley at the base of several mountains.
Zermatt, originally primarily an agricultural town, was "discovered" in the mid-19th century by English climbers. The town opened as a ski resort in 1898.
The premier attractions in Zermatt are skiing and climbing the Matterhorn. Other sights include the Matterhorn Museum, the historic Old Town and an array of summer and winter outdoor sports.
More than 3,000 people climb the Matterhorn each year.
Zermatt is accessible via train from Bern, Basel and Zurich. The journey is about two hours via rail from Bern.
