Hidden gem: Here's why Andermatt could be more than just a travel destination
Ready for an alpine escape?
Think of ski trips in Switzerland and several places likely come to mind, but there's an underrated gem that deserves a spot on your radar. Cue Andermatt — a village in the Ursern Valley right in the heart of Switzerland. Situated at over 1,400 m above sea level, the destination might only be reachable via winding pass roads, but thanks to its strategic location, it can easily be accessed from all points of the compass. For context, by car, Zurich is only 90 minutes away, and Milan and Munich will take you two and four hours respectively.
Once an if-you-know-you-know ski destination, Andermatt has been gaining more traction over the past decade, thanks to the investment of Egyptian-born Montenegrin businessman Samir Sawiris. To date, almost US$ 2 billion has been invested in building his vision: preserving nature in this mystical valley while developing it as a tourist destination. To gain a better understanding of the allure of the alpine, we were invited by Andermatt Swiss Alps to savour the tail end of ski season.
Alpine adventures
Surrounded by majestic peaks and pristine landscapes, this picturesque destination offers a wide range of outdoor activities year-round, from skiing and snow hiking in the winter to mountain biking and golfing in the summer. Our trip in mid-March meant we could still immerse ourselves in the winter wonderland, and we wasted no time to hit the slopes. With Nätschen as our playground, we spent our morning learning the basics before attempting the sunny slope in the beginner’s park on our own, but if you’re an advanced skier, Gemsstock, known for its long, steep pistes and deep-powder trails is not to be missed. Don’t forget to après-ski!
After ticking skiing off our checklist, we opted to make a trip to the Oberalp Pass that connects the cantons of Uri and Graubünden. Situated at an elevation of 2,046 m above sea level, it offers a breathtaking panoramic look of the surrounding peaks and valleys, and words alone cannot describe how magnificent the view was — it was truly a special experience.
Enchanting estate
Under Andermatt Swiss Alps, the alpine village now boasts six four- to five-star hotels, 42 apartment buildings, 28 exclusive villas and more. A unique blend of old and new, the historic village — which has been around since 1885 — used to be a garrison town for the Swiss Federal Army, and it’s characterised by the narrow cobblestone streets and quaint buildings. Separated by a train track, the new town, dubbed Andermatt Reuss, has undergone rapid growth over the last 15 years. Aside from the luxurious The Chedi Andermatt, which has quickly become the new landmark, the world-class concert hall and the 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course are also true jewels.
The Andermatt Reuss apartments, we were told, are a hit among international buyers, as houses purchased from Andermatt Swiss Alps are exempt from Switzerland’s “Lex Koller” law until 2040. Each home is sustainably designed using wood from the region and features Swiss brand appliances in its well-designed interior.
Epicurean experiences
When it comes to food, culinary delights await at every turn. We kickstarted our gastronomic journey at Andermatt on a high note — our first meal was at the one-Michelin-starred Restaurant Gütsch by renowned chef Markus Neff, perched atop the picturesque Gütsch mountain. There, we enjoyed a contemporary menu that is both internationally and locally influenced, with standout dishes including the dried yak meat and cheese tarts, the lamb chop and truffle pasta. We also visited the recently opened Cotton Club — the latest of the lot following establishments in Ibiza, Zakynthos and Mallorca. Come for the food (the Pekin lamb and grilled octopus were delightful), stay for the fantastic atmosphere. Don’t forget to order a cocktail while you’re at it. Tip: if the weather permits, make sure to snag a table on the glass-domed terrace.
A trip to Andermatt is never complete without some traditional Swiss food. At Restaurant Sonne, we enjoyed local dishes such as Urner Gerstensuppe (barley soup), Kalbsgeschnetzeltes nach Zürcher Art (sliced veal Zürich style with rösti), and Cordon Bleu (thin slices of pork stuffed with ham and mountain cheese) along with some Swiss lager. A good fondue in the winter is a must, and our dinner at Fondue Burg — located in the neighbouring town, Hospental, less than 10 minutes away — was the perfect end to my first trip to Switzerland.
