THE MATTERHORN
Zermatt - One of the World's Bucket Lists Must-Sees
It
is the most recognizable mountain in the world. Mount Everest is more
famous, even Mont Blanc is higher, but show a picture of the Matterhorn
and it is instantly identifiable, a pure pyramide of sharp edged solid
granite. There is no sight worth seeing like the moon rising over the
glistening snow frosted peak of the Matterhorn in the southern Swiss
Alps. Walt Disney was inspired enough to build one of his own as the
centerpiece of his original visionary Disneyland in Anaheim, but the
real thing is found towering aat the end of the valley above the Swiss
village of Zermatt, itself one of the most unique towns in the world.
The town and all the land around has been owned and controlled by descendents
of the same
15 families for over 600 years. Crunching through snow
of the crisp cold early evening hours of late fall, you cross a small
bridge in the center of town and look up at the jagged-edged spire
of the peak when the rising moonlight catches its flat snowy east face.
Go to bed and come back in the morning and the sun rising over the
impassable alpine rock ridge that separates Switzerland from Italy
paints an orange glow which descends slowly down the face. Morning,
noon and night the mighty peak is ever there as if standing guard (unless
the fog or storm has set in). The mighty mountain creates its own weather
system and may have a cap of clouds clinging to the peak.
Should
you be in Zermatt for skiing in winter or hiking in summer, or just
looking
for an incredibly
spectacular view, take the longest, highest
cable tram ride in the world to the the mountain’s little nearby
brother the Klein Matterhorn (Small Matterhorn). There are two stages
to the aerial tram ride and a stop half-way up is about 30 Euro, to the
top about 60. Not cheap, but worth it when the weather is clear. In summer
you can hike down (see Klein
Matterhorn Cable).
In winter, the Matterhorn region is one of the largest in Switzerland with
trails
and aerial trams that can keep
a ski
enthusiast
occupied for days. If you’re skiing or boarding, buy a multi-pass
with a ski package - public transport and lifts are included. If only
a tourist looking for view, by cog rail you can take the Gornergrat
Bahn for views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa mountains and the glacier
(see Gornergrat
Express Scenic Railway).
No gas vehicles are allowed in the village of Zermatt. While it is quite
easy to walk from one end to the other, small electric cab vehicles,
or romantic horse drawn sleighs in winter will take you from the rail
station to your hotel. If you drive to Zermatt, you park in the village
of Tasche a few minutes down the hill and a shuttle or train brings you
into Zermatt.. The Zermatt rail station is right in town, for easy walk
to many of the hotels, or an electic cart will take you to a hotel that's
farther up the valley. You may find yourself in Zermatt if taking the
Glacier Express which runs from Zermatt to St Moritz. (see Riding
the Glacier Express). A visit to the Matterhorn Museum in the center of the
village will tell you the story of the mountain and the town which grew
from the visiting climbers who came to conquer it.
The
bars full of mad rad world-class skiers, boarders or European royalty
on holiday in the season are few steps from your hotel. Some of the hotels
are insanely expensive if you want a room in high season next to the
22nd Earl of something, but many are moderately priced and quite elegant,
usually impeccably maintained. A steamy jacuzzi spa in the dead of snow
frost winter, sipping wine with your mate or a new found friend under
the moon glow on the mountain peak is a rare sensuous experience. In
the shoulder seasons of spring and fall the town of Zermatt is almost
deserted. The five star hotels like the Zermatterhof or Mont Cervin
(the Italian name of the Matterhorn) are closed in the off season, but
you can still get a drink at the Hexen Bar (Witches Bar) or the Cave.
The Zermatters are rightfully very proud of their little private world and it has made them quite comfortable. The town's economy is almost entirely based on tourism (see Matterhorn Museum). The population can swell from about 3,500 permanent residents to 35,000 in the height of ski season. Zermatt is a little under an hour on the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway from the main SBB Swiss Rail Line at Visp connecting to Brig, Zurich or Geneva. Zermatt is now only 4 hours by train from Zurich through the new Lotschberg Tunnel (see Switzerland Lotschberger Express).
If you’re looking to marry well - on the ride from Tasche you
might encounter one of the attractive, well-dressed, well-schooled, and
well-mannered sons or daughters of the one of the 15 families. Go ahead
and exchange a phone number and an invitation to join you in the jacuzzi,
but don’t be surprised if you get a visit late at night from a
guy named Guido. Okay, maybe he’s not a mob enforcer, more like
a Swiss-German lawyer who’s brought a long checklist to vet your
royal heritage references. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find
best hotel and travel deals
in Swiss
Alps on TripAdvisor
Best Western Hotels Hotel Butterfly and Alpen Resort
Take
the Glacier Express
Zermatt to St Moritz
Get
a Swiss Travel Pass - Unlimited Travel
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