Andermatt Sedrun Skiing & Snowboarding
There are two distinct sides to the SkiArena Andermatt Sedrun ski resort. One is the dark, north facing 1,500m vertical face of the Gemsstock looming over Andermatt. The other is the sunny south facing slopes heading for over 10km from Andermatt township across the Oberalppass to neighbouring Sedrun.
Check out the ski trail map for the entire SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis below.
The Gemsstock is the natural habitat for the advanced and expert skier and snowboarder. The cable cars to the top are generally packed with back country equipped snow riders looking to harvest some powder. Some good intermediate terrain exists mid mountain, and recent improvements to the valley trail make it approachable for higher intermediate skiers, despite its sectional black status!
To the east of Andermatt the sunny slopes are slowly becoming an intermediates paradise. New lifts, 6er chairs and gondolas are transforming the area from Nätschen to Oberalppass, eventually making the train ride to Sedrun a novelty rather than a necessity.
In Sedrun, long intermediate piste extends from Dieni all the way over two minor peaks to Oberalppass. The ski resort’s best beginner terrain is in Sedrun itself on Valtgeva, as is a terrain park.
Ski Lifts
The ski lifts at Andermatt Sedrun have undergone the most significant change of any ski resort in Europe in the last few years. The redevelopment of Andermatt Sedrun's lift system began in 2015. It is one of the world's largest & most ambitious ski resort expansions. In short, with the focus mainly on the Andermatt side of Oberalppass, the lift redevelopment achieves several major outcomes for the resort including the replacement of old infrastructure (i.e. the ancient Nätschen double chair); expands into new terrain increasing intermediate & advanced piste trails (plus easy access to freeride routes); fully lift links Andermatt to Sedrun (4 new 6er chairs & an 8er gondola to link near Oberalppass, plus terrain up to 2,600m elevation above Operalppass), changes current terrain usage (i.e. established a new learn-to-ski area at Natschen plus removes the old rail ski crossing - now a tunnel); links the train station at Andermatt to services & lifts via underground passages, removing conflict between cars, trains & skiers on the surface and creates a cable car lift link from Sedrun up into Disentis 3000 ski resort.
There are a number of other developments on the wish list, the most critical being an 8-seater gondola to reduce waiting times at the Gemsstock base. The Gemsstock cable car waiting times are excessive & the single biggest issue at Andermatt currently. However, some would say it is a matter of perspective. The current cable cars limit the number of freeriders on the mountain at any one time which assists in having a quiet, uncrowded ski experience on one the best off-piste ski mountains in the world.
From a local resident & skier’s point of view, we wonder how they feel about all the lift development in their little piece of alpine paradise, plus the recent acquisition of the lift system by Vail Resorts. Several that we spoke to were initially concerned but that appears to have evaporated. Replacing old banger double chairs with modern gondolas will tend to do that, no matter how ‘hard’ you are! We have previously lamented the limiting nature of the Gemsstock cable cars on a busy day. With the benefit of further experience in the resort, we are now of the view that the limitation is a small price to pay for the better ski experience smaller numbers of skiers alighting at the summit brings.
Certainly, from a Powderhounds point of view, developments like what has occurred at Andermatt can be detrimental to the pursuit of untracked powder. The lift expansion to Oberalppass has already pushed freeriders into the nearby backcountry earlier in any powder snow phase. But the reality is Andermatt’s topography allows it to cope & cope well. We experienced deep untracked powder on the Gemsstock within a 5min traverse from the top of the cable car, 10 days after the last significant snowfall (see photos with our 2019 review here). Similarly for on the piste, in 2023, without any fresh snow on the mountain, we skied empty piste slopes on Gemsstock, doing huge 1,500m vertical laps for a few in the morning before seeing anyone else on the mountain.
The lift system enhancements at Andermatt Sedrun have improved the original Powderhounds 2017 rating of 3 powder-paws to 5 powder-paws in 2019.
Epic Pass
From season 22/23, the lifts at Andermatt-Sedrun are owned by Vail Resorts, making the resort accessible for free by holders of the EPIC PASS. Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis has unlimited unrestricted access except for the Epic Pass Australia which has 5-days unrestricted access. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn connecting Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis will be accessible to Epic Pass Holders for an exclusive price in the 2023/24 season. To get you free ski pass, one needs to present proof of a valid Epic Pass and valid photo ID at an Andermatt, Sedrun or Disentis ticket window. You will then receive an Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis lift access card that requires a deposit of 5CHF. Deposits will be refunded when the card is returned. You will be issued the requested days for your stay and will be able to purchase additional lift access via a discount lift ticket at 50% off if your total included days are exhausted.
Ski & Snowboard Terrain
Andermatt & Gemsstock Sector
The two sides of Andermatt offer vastly differing ski terrain, temperatures, sunshine & snow quality. The north-aspect Gemsstock piste trails & inbounds are shaded for much of the day leaving the temperatures lower & snow quality better for longer than the sunny, south facing Natschen pistes.
Check out the ski trail map for the Andermatt-Gemsstock sector below.
The Gemsstock rightfully attracts much of the attention for advanced skiers and riders, however the lift system can make it a frustrating journey on busy days, particularly weekends. Intermediates can enjoy a selection of fun 300m vertical trails from the mid station at Gurschen utilising the 6-seater chairlift. Otherwise it is hurry up and wait for the cable car. Note that because the cable car mid-station at Gürschen is on a high ridge line, all the main advanced piste & off-piste from the top of Gemsstock on the Gürschen glacier will require a hard left turn at the bottom to get back to the Gürschenalp 6er chair, or else you are heading all the way back to town! From top to bottom into the village on piste is an awesome leg muscle liquefying exercise entailing 1,500m of vertical. Return trails end directly in the centre of the village near the river bridge, or back at the Gemsstock cable car base car park.
The Nätschen side now has a new highest point of over 2,600m at Schneehüenerstock above Oberalppass. The new advanced & intermediate trails provide a wonderful alternative to the quickly tracked Gemsstock pistes and bowls. Whilst many of them are a touch too off-camber & short for our liking, intermediate skiers & snowboarders can now go on a rollicking ski journey on groomed runs all the way to Dieni near Sedrun. The journey can take as long or quick as you like, but an insider’s choice is do a warm-up down the new advanced piste back down into Andermatt from the Nätschen gondola mid station first thing in the morning & then move on!
Sedrun & Disentis Sector
Sedrun is perfect for intermediate skiers and riders wanting wide sunny slopes & few people. The separate beginner area & snow park at Valtgeva near Sedrun thins the crowd even more.
Check out the ski trail map for the Sedrun-Disentis sector below.
The real skiing starts above Sedrun at Dieni. Wide intermediate slopes stream down the 725m vertical from Cuolm Val to Dieni. A range of shorter 300m+ vertical trails link Cuolm Val to Oberalppass via Val Val (sic) and Calmut. Lovers of wide-open, long intermediate piste trails should not skimp on spending time at Sedrun’s Dieni. There is glorious skiing across ten modern chairlifts and gondolas all the way to Andermatt township.
The Sedrun side of the resort has been linked with neighbouring Disentis by a new cable car to the Valtgeva area since season 19/20, expanding the available ski terrain exponentially.
For Novices & Beginners
Andermatt Sedrun ski resort has paid particular attention of late to improving beginner skier areas. Whilst Sedrun has always has a perfect area to learn at Valtgeva, Andermatt has not. That has recently changed with the creation of a specific novice area near Nätschen station. Called the MATTI Kids arena and situated at 1,842m elevation the area is absolutely snow sure and easily accessible via either the train or gondola.
For progressing beginners, the ultimate ski run at Andermatt is from the top of the Gütsch Express gondola at 2,344m and then skiing all the way down and over the railway lines at Natschen, continuing down the sled run (the summer road to Oberalppass) into town at 1,444m – a grand 900m descent. On completion you will have earned progression to some of the intermediate slopes.
For the Powderhound
One could be mistaken for thinking that on a powder day one should immediately head up the Gemsstock with the seething horde. All well & good if you are on the first few cable cars. Not so great if you are waiting. Instead, take the Gütsch Express gondola to the top instead & ski powder on the southerly aspects or take an early train and start at one of the higher stations (Nätschen or Oberalppass) and be first in line at one of the higher lifts or ski straight back down the line into Andermatt – yee har. When the morning lines die down, head to the Gemsstock for some huge freeride lines
If in Sedrun, same thing. Start directly from Dieni if there are no lift lines, otherwise take a train up higher if the timetable allows. With the new ski lifts in place, off piste terrain available for Powderhounds has vastly increased.
Backcountry Skiing
A mecca for freeride & backcountry skiers or riders, Andermatt has access to a range of long descents, numerous peaks over 3,000m and a variety of mountain huts suitable for overnight stays.
On the Gemsstock, stairs leading directly from near the back of the summit station & traverses with short climbs, lead to 1,500m vertical backcountry lines that are as good or better than anything in the rest of world – hands down. Easily accessed & navigated lines head into the Felsental and end up in the valley between Andermatt & Hospental. Easily accessible backcountry up to the Rossbodenstock from Oberalppass has vast swathes of untracked snow on its north-aspect terrain as well. Nearby Disentis is included in the lift pass and provides a quiet alternative for some superb backcountry descents, mostly on sunny, south-aspect slopes.
Another option is the Urner Skiers Haute Route which starts near Andermatt and ends at Engelberg. The Urner is the ultimate backcountry journey in the area and has a focus on easy ascents (relatively!) and classic, long ski descents.
A secret to visiting Andermatt for the first time & scoring that powder, days after a snowfall, is to cough up for a guide. The Gemsstock can be a wicked beast of a mountain that guards its secrets well. Unlike many of Switzerland’s best freeride locations (i.e. Engelberg, Verbier), one cannot see most of the terrain on the Gemsstock. You can spend an inordinate amount of time & energy checking it out for yourself, seeking the treasure. Better to just get a guide, even if just for one day, & safely enjoy this amazing mountain.
To find a local mountain guide, see our Andermatt-Sedrun Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
