Zermatt off-piste/sidecountry recs

[vermontana]

My partner and I will be heading to Zermatt this Sunday and skiing there for four days as part of a larger euro trip.

Looking for areas/runs off-piste to get to into some good snow or more adventuresome terrain.

Expert skiers based in Colorado Rockies and have lots of backcountry experience, but probably won't have avy gear with us. I know its a lot easier to get yourself into trouble skiing off groomers out in Europe rather than US resorts/Canada. I've also seen recs to hire a guide, but this is out of the budget with how much the trip is already costing (unless anyone thinks its really worth it). Any advice or tips greatly appreciated!

 

[animator]

My partner and I will be heading to Zermatt this Sunday and skiing there for four days as part of a larger euro trip.

Looking for areas/runs off-piste to get to into some good snow or more adventuresome terrain.

Expert skiers based in Colorado Rockies and have lots of backcountry experience, but probably won't have avy gear with us. I know it's a lot easier to get yourself into trouble skiing off groomers out in Europe rather than US resorts/Canada. I've also seen recs to hire a guide, but this is out of the budget with how much the trip is already costing (unless anyone thinks it's f you don't hire a guidereally worth it). Any advice or tips greatly appreciated!

if you don't hire a guide, be especially wary at Zermatt especially towards the upper part (Trockener Steg and higher on the Swiss side) as it is all on a glacier. if there's a rope that says closed, best listen! the Italian side is mint for fun, rolling terrain if that's your speed, I loved it over there as it provided ample opportunity to get in the air. I mostly used to just stick inbounds there as the risk sort of outweighs the reward (it did for me anyway who didn't spend a ton of time there)

 

[Awelterego]

if you don't hire a guide, be especially wary at Zermatt especially towards the upper part (Trockener Steg and higher on the Swiss side) as it is all on a glacier. if there's a rope that says closed, best listen! the Italian side is mint for fun, rolling terrain if that's your speed, I loved it over there as it provided ample opportunity to get in the air. I mostly used to just stick inbounds there as the risk sort of outweighs the reward (it did for me anyway who didn't spend a ton of time there)

Is the Italian side Cervinia? I’m looking at passes now since I plan to go there this winter!