Andermatt Sedrun Ski Resort Switzerland
SkiArena Andermatt Sedrun in Switzerland is a powder and off-piste skiing mecca for serious freeriders, but also increasingly for lovers of extended journeys on groomers. Combine cold storms from all directions which ensure a deep alpine snowpack well into April with 1,500m vertical descents off Gemsstock, and you have one of the world's best freeride destinations. Add in the easy access to Andermatt-Sedrun ski resort via the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (train) and probably the world's biggest lift, terrain & connectivity expansion in recent history, making it a very tasty destination for families plus skiers & snowboarders of all abilities & predilections.
Andermatt is still a traditional Swiss mountain village but has several unique features that set it apart from most other ski areas. The train as part of the standard lift pass allowing easy returns from distant locations, and the superb sled run on the closed Oberalppass road (to name just two).
The massive expansion of lifts and intermediate terrain, inclusion in the Vail Resorts Epic Pass, addition of nearby Disentis ski resort to the lift pass, plus several huge hotel developments in town mean Andermatt may soon be lost to the masses. The ski area is now referred to Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis (or ASD for short). Get here sooner, because you will only be a year older if you leave it until later!
Pros & Cons for Andermatt-Sedrun
Pros
- World class off-piste & backcountry freeride terrain.
- Massive terrain & lift expansion fully integrating vast terrain.
- Great on piste terrain for all abilities.
- Excellent access by train in a spectacular setting.
- Modern lifts becoming integrated with the train station.
- Amongst the most reliable snowpacks in the world.
- Traditional Swiss alpine village.
- New range of quality accommodation options.
- Great value lift passes in off-peak times.
- Wonderful bars & restaurants in the village & on mountain.
- Activities available for the whole family.
Cons
- Gemsstock cable car lift lines can get extremely busy on a powder day (but it does limit numbers on the mountain at any one time!).
- Overpriced lift pass in peak periods (but free for Epic Pass holders, or cheap for Half-Price Pass holders!).
- Ski terrain is limited in poor visibility.
- Andermatt village spends a lot of time in shadow for much of winter.
- Village of Sedrun disjointed from the main ski lifts at Dieni (but Sedrun is now lift-linked to Disentis!).
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Becoming more popular every year (go there now!).
- Après ski in Andermatt is ok, but nightlife is very limited after 9pm.
- A Vail Resort now!
- Lift pass & ski lift linkages now with Disentis ski resort.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
There are now several distinct sides to the Andermatt Sedrun ski resort, particularly since its inclusion of Disentis into the lift pass. One is the dark, north-facing 1,500m vertical face of the Gemsstock looming over Andermatt. The other is the sunny south-aspect slopes leading about 10km across the Oberalppass to neighbouring Sedrun. Sedrun's slopes are colder and less travelled; and then Disentis presents a completely different type of ski experience - more a reminder of the way things used to be!
Check out the ski trail map for SkiArena Andermatt Sedrun Disentis below.
The Gemsstock is the natural habitat for the advanced & expert skier and snowboarder. The cable car to the top is generally packed with back country equipped snow riders looking to harvest some powder. Some good intermediate terrain exists mid mountain & recent improvements to the valley trail make it approachable for higher intermediate skiers, despite its black status! To the uninitiated, the Gemsstock freeride terrain is best explored with a guide for at least a day to understand its full potential. There are many possible pitfalls for those venturing out of bounds without an appropriate level of knowledge.
To the east of Andermatt the sunny slopes has become an intermediate's paradise. New lifts, 6-pax chairs & gondolas have transformed the area from Nätschen to Oberalppass, making the train ride to Sedrun a novelty rather than a necessity. The resorts have been fully lift-interlinked since season 2018/19. We have recently skied all of them & were suitably impressed. Sedrun is linked to Disentis by cable car since season 2020, but a gap in ski lifts still exists between Dieni & Sedrun, necessitating taking the train (included in the standard lift pass).
The lift and terrain expansion is also a boon for advanced & expert skiers. Easy access to more off-piste terrain, as well as marked trails & routes have increased exponentially.
From more information on ski lifts, terrain, lift passes & trail maps, see our Andermatt-Sedrun Skiing & Snowboarding page.
Snow & Weather
Andermatt is blessed with a position in the Alps that guarantees a deep snow-pack well into April and May. Storms from all directions impact the area with their frozen goodness. Some of the best skiing & snowboarding here can be quite late in the season. Keep a watch on the forecasts.
The upper slopes of the Gemsstock hold cold deep powder for longer than the rest of the resort, hence its attraction to many Powderhounds. When the weather is at its fiercest, the lower terrain in Sedrun plus between Nätschen & Andermatt provide ample opportunities.
Where is Andermatt Sedrun Switzerland?
Andermatt Sedrun ski resort is located high in the Swiss Alps in the canton of Uri, 100km south of Zurich. Milan in Italy is 186km by road to the south & Geneva is only 4½hr by train away to the west. Andermatt Sedrun can be accessed from all directions by rail - the recommended transport to the ski resort & a sure way to POW (Protect Our Winters). The train line at Andermatt links directly with the iconic Zermatt ski resort in under 3hr.
Search & book train tickets to Andermatt.
The closest international airports for Andermatt Sedrun ski resort are Zurich (ZRH) & Geneva (GVA) in Switzerland, plus Milan Malpensa (MXP) in Italy. Trains efficiently link the entire region, with intercity trains going via nearby Goeschenen, itself only a 10min train ride to Andermatt!
For more information on the best ways to get there, see our Travelling to Andermatt Sedrun page.
Andermatt Sedrun Accommodation
With a ski resort based on two separate villages & very efficient train transport links, Andermatt Sedrun has a great range of accommodation available. And now more than ever, a true mix of traditional & ultra-modern lodging options define Andermatt.
The traditional village of Andermatt is compact & wonderful with a full set of shops & services. Its only downfall is the lack of sunshine as it sits in the shadow of the Gemsstock for much of winter. As such the village is as cold as the coldest ski resorts in Europe. If you like to live in the sun, wait until February at the earliest. Like us, if you don't care about the sun, forget what you just read!
In addition to the many traditional hotels & guesthouses, Andermatt has an increasing number of contemporary hotels & apartments now available. The Chedi best epitomises the direction Andermatt is heading, but it is the brand-new Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen that brings real choice to the people & sets a standard for everyone else to aspire. An added bonus is that it is in the sunny part of the valley, only 5 min walk from town.
Search & book Andermatt accommodation.
The village at Sedrun has a sunnier disposition, but the main town is separated from the major ski lifts at Dieni. Accommodations are spread across three areas - Sedrun, Dieni & Rueras in between. All have a train station making access easy. Recent lifts developments at nearby Disentis ski resort have seen ski lift connections put into Sedrun, making it a far more attractive proposition than previously.
Search & book Sedrun accommodation.
Other nearby villages can also make a convenient base - all train travel to & from them is included in the ski lift pass. Goeschenen is only a short train ride away & is the main railway station if heading to either Milan or Zurich. Otherwise Disentis, Realp & Hospental can all be utilised, but at the cost of travel time.
For more info & recommendations on the best places to stay, see our Where to Stay in Andermatt & Sedrun page.
Food, Après, Bars & Nightlife
Andermatt has been transformed in recent years. The transformation has improved mountain dining options like the excellent Schneehüenerstock above Oberalppass. Coincidentally, in the Andermatt ‘old town’ & village outskirts, there has been a subtle increase in style & quality of bar & restaurant offerings too - not a bad thing. The bars & restaurants of the Chedi & Radisson Blu Hotels are complemented by the likes of Enoteca 1620 & Emporium (253). Old favourites in town are still thriving, but sadly the unique Après Ski Train (an experience like no other) ran its final journey at the end of the 2023 winter season. If you never experienced it, you will now just have to spend time on the deck of the Biber Bar watching the trains go by and wonder about the possibilities!
See the Food & Nightlife page for detailed information.
Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding
Ski rentals are available throughout Andermatt in the centre of the village & near the train station/Naestchen gondola with our local partners. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Andermatt Ski & Snowboard Equipment Rental page.
Some off-piste ski lessons & guiding can make all the difference to a stay at Andermatt - particularly on the iconic Gemsstock. For more info & options, see our Andermatt Sedrun Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
Nearby Ski Resorts
The train system allows for easy transfers to a host of other ski resorts in Switzerland. Why not do a Swiss Rail Ski Safari? Ski resorts accessible by train & local bus to the east include Disentis 3000 (incl. in the lift pass), Laax and the unknown, but excellent Brigels. Further afield, you can catch the Glacier Express all the way to fabulous St Moritz via the major transport hub of Chur.
To the west towards the city of Brig, a festival of ski resorts including Aletsch Arena, Belalp, Crans Montana, Grimentz-Zinal, Lauchernalp, Saas Fee, St Luc-Chandolin, Zermatt & Verbier (4 Vallees) are within easy reach.
Review
The Powderhounds have reviewed Andermatt Sedrun on multiple occasions, the last time in early February 2023 to check out the resort after the lifts were purchased by Vail Resorts. We loved it & always will. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.
See how the Andermatt Sedrun compares to the rest of the European ski resorts on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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