Skiing in the Swiss Alps, Zermatt. – Part 1: Skiing

Zermatt, in the canton Valais, has a population of 5800 inhabitants, an elevation of 1608 m (5,276ft) above sea level, and first appeared on a map in 1495.  Its culture and history make a visit to this part of Switzerland very interesting.

The town of Zermatt is almost completely surrounded by the high mountains of the Pennine Alps among which is Monte Rosa (or Dufourspitze), Switzerland’s highest peak at 4,634 metres (15,203 ft). It is followed by the Dom (4,545 m [14,911 ft]), Lyskamm (4,527 m [14,852 ft]), Weisshorn (4,505 m [14,780 ft]) and the WORLD FAMOUS & MOST WONDERFUL MOUNTAIN in the world – the Matterhorn (4,478 m [14,692 ft]). Most of the Alpine four-thousanders are located around Zermatt or in the neighboring valleys.

Everybody knows the Toblerone chocolate. But did you know that the shape of the chocolate is the shape of the Matterhorn?  Aha! It’s always nice to learn something new.  

Zermatt offers so much for outdoor lovers: In wintertime it is alpine skiing, and in spring, summer, and fall, it is hiking, mountain biking, glacier tours and skiing on the glacier.

In January, Cindy and I spent one week in an apartment with my sister Irene and her husband Joe.   We skied every day except one. On that day, we explored the small streets of Zermatt and hiked up to Blatten for a delicious lunch.

Zermatt has three ski areas. The Kleine Matterhorn side which goes as high as 3833müM (12739ft above sea level), the Gornergrat side with the famous cog train, and then the Sunegga & Rothorn area. All three are connected to each other and easily accessed by chair, T Bar, or gondola.  The T Bars can be challenging.  Ask Cindy how she got thrown off one in Italy.

It’s also special to ski cross the border to a different country.  Imagine starting your day with a Swiss breakfast (fresh bread and Muesli and a fine coffee).  Then, take the gondolas up to the Kleine Matterhorn and ski down to Italy. For lunch you can have a delicious pasta with great wine. Just make sure you cross the border back to Switzerland before the last gondola . From there, let it run down to “Zum See” and enjoy a coffee with Schnaps and some fresh baked pies before you ski down to Zermatt.

On a regular day it is easy to ski 7200 m (or 23,600ft) of vertical drop, including stops for lunch and coffee.  Zermatt and skiing is one thing. Zermatt and food is something else.  But it all goes together and is inseparable. I will talk about food on ski slops in my next blog.

BTW let’s talk about prices. Zermatt is considered to be the most expensive ski area in Switzerland for ski tickets. It offers the three ski areas with one train (Gornergrat), one underground Funicular railway and ten gondolas.  It has 54 lifts with an uphill capacity of 90,000 riders per hour. Every year Zermatt invests a lot of money in infrastructure and maintenance. Based on a One-Day Ticket you can buy a ski pass for CHF 75 ($84). If you decide to ski over to Italy it is CHF 86 ($ 96).

Compare this to a ski ticket in Stratton and Stowe, Vermont. Stratton it is $92, and Stowe is $98.- …. Maybe you should look into a trip to Zermatt next time?

See you there!       (Pictures taken with a Sony RX100 II)

                                                      Click Image to VIEW SLIDESHOW

** Ready for a 2 minute ride on the Gornergrat train from Zermatt to the the top? Click here. **