Zermatt Weather in November 2026
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 13 rainy days across the month, on average.
November parks Zermatt in its second quiet period of the year with highs of 3.7C (39F), lows of -3C (27F), a wet-snowy 132mm of precipitation, and just 6.4 hours of daily sunshine as the sun barely clears the ridge from 09:30 to 15:30 at village level. Fresh snow builds down to 1,800m by mid-month, and the Klein Matterhorn glacier resumes full winter conditions at -13C. This is the pre-ski-season pause: summer lifts fully closed, winter lifts spinning up progressively from the 15th.
On the ground, the car-free village runs at 15% occupancy through the first three weeks. Electric taxis idle at the Bahnhof, only glacier ski enthusiasts arrive by cog train, and the Gornergrat Bahn drops to hourly service. Whymper Stube reopens for the ski season on the 15th, and the full 360km piste network progressively opens between November 22nd and December 6th as snowmaking backs up natural cover. Hotel spa specials drop rates 45% versus December, and the Zermatterhof runs shoulder-season packages.
The 10-year November trend shows natural snowline dropping 40m higher per decade and full-piste opening dates delayed roughly 4 days per decade, though snowmaking now covers the gap reliably. November 2026 opened with a warm wet phase through the 8th, then a dramatic cold front on the 12th dropped 60cm at Klein Matterhorn and the first full Matterhorn-Cervinia crossover ran on the 27th.
For 2026 travelers, November rewards deal-hunters and glacier-skiing enthusiasts willing to accept short daylight and limited apres options. Book after the 22nd for lift openings, target the Zermatterhof spa package, ski Klein Matterhorn glacier laps, and enjoy walk-in seating at every village restaurant except Whymper Stube.
Zermatt is car-free and always has been — you park at Tasch and take the shuttle train the last 5km. The Matterhorn is called 'Horu' in the local Zermatter German dialect, which is nearly incomprehensible to Zurich Swiss-German speakers. The village population of 5,800 explodes to 35,000 in high season. Locals eat at Whymper Stube for cheese fondue named after the first Matterhorn climber (1865) who lost four of seven teammates on the descent — the graves are in the English Church cemetery. Never call it 'the Alps' — locals say 'the Valais' or specifically 'the Mattertal.'
What to pack for Zermatt in November
November brings damp cold and short daylight, requiring waterproof winter kit and reflective gear for dim conditions. Pack:
- Fully waterproof winter boots with warm liners
- Insulated ski jacket rated to -15C
- Reflective bands for early-dusk village walks
- Thermal base layers in merino wool
- Waterproof gloves for wet snow days
What to pack for Zermatt in November
- →Merino wool base layerAmazon · shop this
- →Insulated puffer jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Thermal glovesAmazon · shop this
- →Packable rain jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Waterproof dry bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Zermatt
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Compare hotels on Booking.com→Things worth doing
Ski Klein Matterhorn glacier once winter lifts open, book Zermatterhof spa packages, walk the empty Bahnhofstrasse at dusk, tour the Matterhorn Museum, take last-open Gornergrat trips.
November vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Zermatt. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Zermatt
While November has its own character in Zermatt, the data-backed best months to visit Zermatt are June, July, August. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across a ten-year climate record.
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for ZermattOther places with a similar climate right now
Zermatt in November — FAQ
Q01Is November a good month for Zermatt?
Is November a good month for Zermatt?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In November, Zermatt averages a high of 3°C (38°F) and a low of -3°C (26°F), with 124mm of rainfall across roughly 13 rainy days. Late February through March the Matterhorn shows daily on 90% of days and the Skiing Around the Matterhorn cross-border route to Cervinia opens with dry powder.
Q02How warm does Zermatt get in November?
How warm does Zermatt get in November?
The average high temperature in Zermatt during November is 3°C (38°F), with an average low of -3°C (26°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03Does it rain a lot in Zermatt in November?
Does it rain a lot in Zermatt in November?
Zermatt averages approximately 13 rainy days in November, with a total monthly rainfall of about 124mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days. August afternoon thunderstorms roll off Monte Rosa and close the Gornergrat cog railway for lightning; hikers on Hornli Ridge scramble down.
Q04What clothes should I bring to Zermatt in November?
What clothes should I bring to Zermatt in November?
For Zermatt in November, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month. Altitude sickness pills (acetazolamide) — the Klein Matterhorn cable car ascends 2,300m in 30 minutes and unprepared visitors get nauseated at the summit ice palace.
Q05Are there many tourists in Zermatt in November?
Are there many tourists in Zermatt in November?
Tourist crowds in Zermatt during November are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Zermatt is car-free and always has been — you park at Tasch and take the shuttle train the last 5km. The Matterhorn is called 'Horu' in the local Zermatter German dialect, which is nearly incomprehensible to Zurich Swiss-German speakers. The village population of 5,800 explodes to 35,000 in high season. Locals eat at Whymper Stube for cheese fondue named after the first Matterhorn climber (1865) who lost four of seven teammates on the descent — the graves are in the English Church cemetery. Never call it 'the Alps' — locals say 'the Valais' or specifically 'the Mattertal.'