Charming, magical and unforgettable are probably the best words to summarize our overnight experience at Iglu-Dorf Zermatt. We watched sunset over Matterhorn in a jacuzzi, snowshoed under the milky way, played games around the wood-burn fire, ate fondue in a snow cave, slept in a snow igloo and watched sun rise over Matterhorn just ourselves while sipping a hot tea. I mean, do I need to say more?

Iglu-Dorf, igloo village, is a unique concept created by keen snowboarder Adrian Günter, with the intention to be the first on the mountain early in the morning to shoot photos of the sunrise and snowboard on untouched snow. However, soon his passion was soon shared among friends and more igloos were built. Evently, people from the village and skiing tourists start to ask for permission to sleep in them and the concept of “Iglu-Dorf” was born. Now, Iglu-Dorf can be found on seven of most the iconic ski slopes in Europe, with Iglu-Dorf Zermatt being the crown jewel . Each igloo village newly constructed every winter in a true labor of passion, innovation, creativity and effort. Every igloo suite is beautifully carved by the artists using different themes every year.

Since we already skied during the day, we arrived Iglu-Dorf Zermatt with our backpacks and skis in the late afternoon right before the ski lifts closed. The staff were just finishing their sun terrace service for the day. After the last skiers left the slope, we found ourselves the only ones on the mountain with a couple of staff. Located on the ski slopes at an altitude of 2,700 meters, Iglu-Dorf Zermatt has the most exhilarating and unobstructed view of Matterhorn. Stefan, our guide, kindly showed us around. Our family suite is located in the main building of the Iglu-Dorf Zermatt, where the bar, restaurant, and seven other igloos connected by a series of corridors. This year, an adventurous underwater world theme is featured by Iglu-Dorf Zermatt. All the doors are open for the guests to admire. With the magic of the ice scripture artists, a wide range of wild animals from snow and ice came to live in each room and turned them into a fantasy world. Ours, to the kids’ delight, is a submarine.

In addition the main building, there is another two separate accommodations for the couples who want more privacy, Love Nest and Romantic Suite. Love Nest is in an original igloo build really ice. Romantic Suite features a luxurious lambskin-covered beds, its own changing room (with matching robes), private bathroom, and the best of all, its own private jacuzzi with the view to the Matterhorn.

There is also a special Kota, in Iglu-Dorf Zermatt, where people can stay up late into the night, sit around the wood-burn fire place, listening to music and playing games.

Around 6 pm, just as the sun about to set, the rest of the guests arrived (first by mountain rail, followed by a little short hike from the station led by the guide). Holding our warm mulled wine and apple cider, we gathering together and watch the last ray of sun lighting a golden orange sky above and behind the Matterhorn. There is a small group of guests (about 16 of us) and everyone was very open and friendly. It was the first time for all of us to experience Iglu-Dorf Zermatt and we were all very excited about what is yet to come. While we were chatting and getting to know each other, the staff quietly prepared the cheese fondue in the snow cave restaurant with sheepskin covered seats. It does get colder and colder as the night comes in, however, we were given blankets as well as hot tea to warm ourselves up. The kids were busy running around outside in the snow with their head lamps and building igloos by themselves with snow.

After we satisfied ourselves with melted cheese and bread, we slowly moved into the wooden Kota heated by a wood-burn oven. Country music playing in the background, the guests are playing traditional Swiss games and laughing together. After we gradually warmed ourselves up, it was time to put on the snow shoes for a walk under the thousands of stars. Apart from the snowmobiles preparing the ski slopes, there were only the guests and the staff of Iglu-Dorf Zermatt on the mountains. The stars were incredibly bright since the moon is a just a thin crescent. It’s quiet all around. The only sound is the crunch of snow, the rattle of sticks and the sound of our own breathing. The experience was simply magical.

After a 30 minutes snowshoe hike, everyone went into the Kota again (some into the Jacuzzi) to warm up, and then retreated into their own igloo suites. We snuggled into our sleep bags and quickly dozed off. Next morning, we each woke up to a nice and warm cup of tea by our bed. Quickly realized it was time for sunrise, we got dressed, walked out of igloo to witness the sunrise over the Matterhorn. We were not disappointed at all. The golden ray started to light the tip of the mountain peak little by little until the entire side of the Matterhorn was beaming with sunlight. It was such a serene moment.

While the others walked down the mountain to the restaurant serving our breakfast, we put our our skis. It was the first time ever that we were the first one on the slope and ski on the fresh snow. The feeling of joy was just indescribable.

So much we have experienced during the past 24 hours with Iglu-Dorf Zermatt, and so many memorable moments were recorded. As we were sipping our coffee and tea at the breakfast table, we started to look into which Iglu-Dorf we should check out next.