Iglu-Dorf Zermatt
Zermatt, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Reviewed by
Belinda Archer
Iglu-Dorf, or 'igloo village', is a collection of interconnected igloos sitting on the mountainside just off the Riffelhorn piste, in the glitzy Swiss resort of Zermatt. It is one of a family of 6 Iglu-Dorfs scattered around Switzerland, Germany and Andorra, but this one is the highest at 2,700m. It is also very possibly the most scenic, for the breath-taking backdrop is the iconic, Toblerone-shaped Matterhorn.
The mountain dominates your visit - you arrive in the late afternoon and walk up to the village, watched over by the famous peak as the sun is setting, then you sit in wonder at its majesty as you soak in the perfectly positioned Jacuzzi. In the morning, you wake up to see it in all its rosy, sunrise magic. Inside, the igloo rooms are basic but fun, with sleeping bags on blocks of ice and carvings on the walls. All are connected by corridors leading to a small indoor bar, a dining area and a dance floor. There's even an Igloo Suite with private Jacuzzi, perfect for honeymooners!
The mountain dominates your visit - you arrive in the late afternoon and walk up to the village, watched over by the famous peak as the sun is setting, then you sit in wonder at its majesty as you soak in the perfectly positioned Jacuzzi. In the morning, you wake up to see it in all its rosy, sunrise magic. Inside, the igloo rooms are basic but fun, with sleeping bags on blocks of ice and carvings on the walls. All are connected by corridors leading to a small indoor bar, a dining area and a dance floor. There's even an Igloo Suite with private Jacuzzi, perfect for honeymooners!
Highs
- The novelty of sleeping in a room built entirely of ice is a memorable addition to a Swiss holiday, with options to suit solo travellers, couples, families and groups
- The view of the Matterhorn from the outdoor bar and the surrounding grounds
- Snowshoe walking at night under the stars, and warming up in one of the alfresco Jacuzzis afterwards
- The camaraderie with your fellow Iglu-Dorf guests - the open-air Igloo Bar is a particularly fun, sociable place to hang out (this area is also open to day visitors)
- The igloo village itself - an impressive 900sqm construction that takes 3,000 man hours to build annually (the ice melts in summer)
Lows
- The cold. It is very, very chilly (the igloo village is at a constant 0 degrees), so you need to wrap up extremely warm
- Needing the loo in the middle of the night - best avoided if possible, because for most guests it involves an outdoor hike; there are no showers, either. Understandably, most guests only stay 1 night
- The walk to the hotel meeting point from the train station: you have to trek some distance on the piste so don’t bring a big bag - see the recommended packing list
- Dining options are limited to an aperitif plate and cheese fondue (breakfast is taken at nearby Hotel Riffelhaus)
- The hotel requires full pre-payment at the time of booking, and is closed from late April until mid December. Also, you'll need cash for the bar, as they don't accept credit cards
Best time to go
Iglu-Dorf Zermatt is built in November and opens at Christmas. It stays open until the end of the season, around late April. It might be best to go a little later in the winter when it is slightly warmer.
Our top tips
Most guests only stay 1 night and then add a few more nights somewhere else in Zermatt - we like The Omnia. The Iglu-Dorf requests that you only bring the following items (any additional luggage can be stored free of charge at Hotel Riffelberg):
- Winter-proof warm clothing and shoes i.e. skiing outfits, no jeans etc
- A scarf, good gloves and 2 hats (in case the first one gets wet) - you will need all these for sleeping in, trust us!
- Dry socks, long underwear and warm pyjamas
- Towel, flip-flops and swimwear for the Jacuzzis
- A torch / head-torch, toothbrush, sunglasses and sun-cream
- Cash (credit cards are not accepted in the igloo village)
- A rucksack to pack all the above in, as suitcases are not suitable for Iglu-Dorf Zermatt