Adapted from The Snowboard Guide: Europe

Andermatt was one of Europe's pioneering ski resorts, popular with the Brits at the turn of the century. Today, Andermatt is a slightly dilapidated old town but a wonderful place to board nonetheless. Situated in the Usern Valley at the crossroads of central Switzerland, it is the domain of riders from Bern and Lucerne, as well as small numbers of serious skiers.

Andermatt under snow

The resort is famous for its thick, inviting powder, which dumps in big-time on the steep, north-facing slopes. It is favored by extreme riders because it has an abundance of easily accessible off-piste terrain, with a sheer gradient and a correspondingly high adrenaline factor.

The snow falls in abundance here. And, because the slopes are north-facing and at high altitude, once it arrives, it stays. Andermatt, which is located at the base of the Piz Gemsstock, has witnessed many avalanches over the years, a testament to the steep terrain and heavy snowfall of this area.

	Andermatt Essentials Tourist Office Telephone: 041 887 1454 Fax 041 887 0185 Getting There By plane: The closest large airport is Z|rich, 130 km (81 mi) away. By train: It's a three-hour train transfer from Z|rich to Andermatt. Coming from St. Moritz (east) or Brig (west), the Glacier Express cruises through some of the most spectacular snow. By car: The easy drive from Z|rich takes one and a half hours — there are no problems with road closure. It is a few kilometers from Gdschen, which is accessible from the main motorway.

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