If you tire of the runs in Zermatt, the area of Sunnegga is a ski resort in its own right, with all types of skiing on offer. There is a much improved nursery area above Findeln with magic carpets for kids and gentle lifts. The area is low and south-facing so loses its snow quickly at the end of the season. Great powder can be found just to the side of the marked runs. Head up to Baluherd above Sunnegga, either via the new lift or the Patrullarve chair.; we usually head down to the chair as the run is fast and furious and first thing in the morning it is the perfect way to blow out the cobwebs. From the chair you can also study the terrain of the run beneath – a must-do for good skiers. The black national piste is a rollercoaster of a run and if you chose the correct line and allow the contours to slow you down it is superb, but you will need to hold your nerve. Indeed, it used to host FIS GS races a few years back. Once back up to Blauherd at 2,570-metres, take the cable car up to Rothorn at 3,100-metres; here lies the off-piste rock garden down the front face, though it should only be attempted when there is plenty of snow. Off the back of Rothorn there are some fast challenging red runs and the long marked piste to Gant is one of our favourite red runs in the Alps as it hugs the mountainside on its long descent. From there you can take the cable car onwards the Gornegrat sector going via Hohtalli.