A Real Alpine Experience

Firstly, there’s the village, cherished for its authenticity and serenity, the absence of cars, and the high quality of its facilities. There’s the iconic Matterhorn, which reigns over this corner of the valley like a queen, surrounded by the largest concentration of high summits in the Alps: no fewer than 38 different peaks here reach over 4,000 m.
Then, there’s the Matterhorn ski paradise: 145 slopes for all levels crisscross the 360 km ski domain between Switzerland and Italy, of which three quarters are glaciers or are covered by snow cannons in case of light snow. It’s difficult to experience it all in a single day, so one must choose: sections of Rothorn, Gornergrat, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (which makes the Theodul Glacier accessible, even for summer skiing), or perhaps the sun-kissed, southern-facing Italian slopes near Breuil-Cervinia or Valtournenche… Either way, one has 146 hectares of packed snow available, made up of 23% blue level slopes, 68% red, and 9% black, not to mention a snowpark and Wolli Park for kids in Sunnegga (complete with a magic carpet).
It also matters how you get there. Zermatt is known for its newly-renovated, high-class infrastructure (where one rarely has to wait in line). The brand new T3 cable car connecting Trockener Steg (2,939 m) and the Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m) allows double the amount of riders to make the journey starting this winter season. It’s an impressive installation that moves quickly and smoothly across only three pillars- an exceptional feat of engineering that also offers riders extraordinary views. While Zermatt embraces new technology, it also remains true to its origins as embodied by the Gornergrat cog train, inaugurated in 1898 and still running strong today. The ride offers 33 minutes of joy with non-stop views of the Matterhorn and the long, frozen Gorner Glacier- the second longest glacier in the country at 12.2 km. So Swiss.
And of course, there’s the legendary ski runs. First on the list is the run that connects the Klein Matterhorn to the heart of Zermatt: it’s 25 km of non-stop skiing and 2,263 m of altitude change. On the way, one can expect breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, notably from the Sandiger Boden slope (n°63) or the Matterhorn slope (n°69), which run close to the mountain. For the more experienced, the Pista Nera del Cervino (n°59) at the base of the southern mountain face offers a guaranteed thrill, with some passages on a 65° angle. Another accessible highlight is the “First Track” pass between Trockener Steg and Furi, offered all season long every Wednesday and Friday starting at 7:40, before the slopes open to the general public. It’s the best way to feel alone among the mountains.

www.matterhornparadise.ch