Matterhorn at Sunrise from my Hotel Parnass balcony
In the shadows of the Matterhorn, Zermatt (accessible by train) provides an international lift pass option to ski over the top into Italy (Breuil-Cervinia). A massive terrain of mostly Red grade ski runs (Blue in Canadian terms, ie Intermediate skill level)
From Zermatt village to Klein Matterhorn where you can ski into Italy, you rise some 2300 mtrs, and can take the better side of an hour by gondola & cable cars to arrive.
The ~3900 mtr altitude certainly has an effect on you.
But the effort is rewarded by further massive, mostly red ski terrain. Add the bonus of wonderful Italian food at a fraction of the Swiss cost, and the International pass add-on pays for itself.
I had the honor of being invited to spend a day with the British Ski Club for the Italian excursion; rewarded with stunning blue skies and great company, skiing most of the longest ski run in Europe.
But weather is unpredictable, so the other days threw in some challenges. High winds closing the mountain top runs, and white-out conditions another day. Ahhhh, weather.
When not skiing, Zermatt offers a decent size village of high price restaurants, fashion and of course ski-gear. Plenty to occupy your off-mountain time.
For me however, one street in particular won me over. Hinterdorfstrasse runs from the river to the main street, and takes you back to the 16th Century with original houses & barns, some converted for accommodation. (gallery below)
Skiing Zermatt
Skiing Breuil-Cervina
Hinterdorfstrasse
WILT – What I am listening to ?
Don’t try to read too much into these WILT’s, it’s often just that earworm from my music library