Early winter · Weather & things to do
Zermatt in December
Zermatt cools off: highs slip to 30°F (-1°C), from 38°F in November, with lows of 16°F (-9°C) and about 2.7 in (68 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 41/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 16°F (-9°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.7 in (68 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 76%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 28 min
- Comfort score
- 41/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 30°F (-1°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 16°F (-9°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 2.7 in (68 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 76%.
Only about 8 h 28 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 28 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (39 → 41/100).
- December sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 16°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.7 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Zermatt in December
With highs near 30°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Europe's highest cable-car station at 3,883 m on the Klein Matterhorn, with a glacier palace and summit viewing platform.
Whymper-Stube
Wood-panelled restaurant on Bahnhofstrasse known for cheese fondue and raclette, named for the Matterhorn's first climber.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Hinterdorf
The old quarter of dark larch barns and granaries raised on stone slabs to keep out mice, a few lanes behind the main street.
Matterhorn Museum
Underground museum built as a reconstructed old village, telling the story of the 1865 first ascent and Zermatt's climbing history.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Nearby in December
- Interlaken in December~47 mi · highs 42°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Andermatt in December~57 mi · highs 26°F, 3.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Lucerne in December~76 mi · highs 42°F, 3.9 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Zurich in December~101 mi · highs 39°F, 4.0 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,251 m to Zermatt's ~1,672 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Zermatt in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Zermatt?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 41/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 30°F (-1°C) and 2.7 in (68 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Dec – Mar window our Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz route recommends.
How cold is Zermatt in December?
Average highs are 30°F (-1°C) and average lows 16°F (-9°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Zermatt in December?
Some: about 2.7 in (68 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 37.2 in (946 mm).
What should I pack for Zermatt in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 16°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.7 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Zermatt, Andermatt & St. Moritz Dec – Mar
Planning Zermatt in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.