Skyward trajectory of Andermatt: Its rise to prominence as a leading ski resort within the Alps
In the heart of Switzerland, the small town of Andermatt is undergoing a significant transformation. This metamorphosis can be largely attributed to the investments made by Egyptian businessman Samih Sawiris and the partnership with Vail Resorts Inc.
The arrival of The Chedi Andermatt, a luxury hotel designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, marked a turning point for the town in 2013. The hotel, with its Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, catapulted Andermatt into the international limelight, setting the stage for a series of upgrades and developments.
Sawiris's "Andermatt Swiss Alps" project, a comprehensive resort and real estate development, has been instrumental in revitalizing Andermatt as a prime alpine luxury destination. Vail Resorts Inc., a major global ski operator, has partnered with Sawiris’ interests to operate and enhance the ski infrastructure, solidifying Andermatt’s position as a year-round tourism hub.
The population of Andermatt has soared more than 30% since The Chedi opened, and property prices have doubled. Samih Sawiris is currently constructing 650 apartments in the Andermatt Reuss village, with basic studio prices starting from about CHF 295,000.
Future development plans focus on enhancing luxury living, expanding leisure and hospitality offerings, and sustaining the appeal to international buyers by maintaining favorable acquisition laws and increasing service quality. Andermatt has promised to announce a new Michelin-starred offering and a bunch of ritzy boutiques in the coming weeks.
The property market shows strong price appreciation and persistent international demand, underpinned by unique legal exemptions facilitating foreign ownership. In 2025, over 1,260 applications, worth around CHF 14.2 million, were made, showcasing Andermatt’s rising profile as a luxury investment and holiday destination.
Andermatt lacked an après ski scene, but last season saw the opening of The Cotton Club, offering a Mediterranean atmosphere with Champagne-fuelled afternoons of dancing on tables and exceptional sushi. An 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course is being built to lure visitors year-round.
The Schnee-hüenerstock Express railway is being built to link the Andermatt and Sedrun ski areas, totaling a combined 75 miles of skiable terrain. Vail's Epic Pass allows holders to ski or snowboard for the full season across the world, attracting many visitors from over the Atlantic to Andermatt.
A six-day ski pass last season was £320, £25 more than before Vail Resorts' acquisition. Smart new lifts have been installed in Andermatt, and an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course is being built to lure visitors year-round.
Despite the changes, Marcel Wenger, the owner of Restaurant Adler, believes that Andermatt has retained its special personality and will never become as big as Zermatt, St Moritz, or Gstaad. Sacha Ercolani, the owner of Fondue-Burg in Hospental, states that his clients are mainly from the US, Canada, the UAE, and the UK.
Vail Resorts Inc. has invested £135 million into Andermatt's slopes and infrastructure, with the company owning and operating more than 40 mountain resorts across the US, Canada, Australia, and now Switzerland. The current status of Andermatt, Switzerland, reflects its transformation into a luxury alpine destination driven mainly by significant investments, including those from Samih Sawiris and Vail Resorts Inc.
[1] Andermatt Swiss Alps AG. (2021). Andermatt Swiss Alps. Retrieved from https://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/
[2] Swissinfo. (2021). Andermatt: A luxury resort in the Swiss Alps. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/andermatt--a-luxury-resort-in-the-swiss-alps/46772934
[3] Vail Resorts. (2021). Andermatt-Sedrun Sport. Retrieved from https://www.vailresorts.com/mountain/andermatt-sedrun-sport
- The transformation of Andermatt, Switzerland, has not only revitalized it as a prime alpine luxury destination but also expanded its appeal to international tourists, making it a significant player in the home-and-garden, travel, sports, and lifestyle sectors.
- With the addition of luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, a golf course, and improved ski infrastructure, Andermatt, under the Andermatt Swiss Alps project, is not only attracting tourists for winter sports but also establishing itself as a year-round destination for leisure and hospitality, blending the best of travel, home-and-garden, sports, and lifestyle experiences.
