Zermatt, is a really expensive place in a really expensive country ($80+ for a ski ticket, fungi pizzas $25). I choose not to ski there this winter. But after visiting last week, I can see why Zermatt and the region deserves all the hype. Even the train ride to Zermatt is epic. The train travels up a steep-sided valley, with towering 4000+ meter peaks in view. However, you don't see the famed Matterhorn until you reach Zermatt (1600m), and the view was simply stunning. I brought my tele-gear and I chose the buy one ride up to Kline Matterhorn, the highest lift access in CH. The last lift was an jaw dropping tram ride. It soared high above a glacier and finished at a station blasted into the side of a shear wall (the small horn in the picture below). The views were amazing (glacier complexes, peaks 3k higher then the valleys, lifts everywhere, etc.). I slapped on my skis and started a ski tour at 3900 meters (well above the top of Mount Baker at home). I reached Briethorn (4164m) a couple hours later, just as the clouds began to roll in. It took me over an hour to ski back to Zermatt, skiing down ~2500 meters in one run. That was plenty.
Zermatt, is a really expensive place in a really expensive country ($80+ for a ski ticket, fungi pizzas $25). I choose not to ski there this winter. But after visiting last week, I can see why Zermatt and the region deserves all the hype. Even the train ride to Zermatt is epic. The train travels up a steep-sided valley, with towering 4000+ meter peaks in view. However, you don't see the famed Matterhorn until you reach Zermatt (1600m), and the view was simply stunning. I brought my tele-gear and I chose the buy one ride up to Kline Matterhorn, the highest lift access in CH. The last lift was an jaw dropping tram ride. It soared high above a glacier and finished at a station blasted into the side of a shear wall (the small horn in the picture below). The views were amazing (glacier complexes, peaks 3k higher then the valleys, lifts everywhere, etc.). I slapped on my skis and started a ski tour at 3900 meters (well above the top of Mount Baker at home). I reached Briethorn (4164m) a couple hours later, just as the clouds began to roll in. It took me over an hour to ski back to Zermatt, skiing down ~2500 meters in one run. That was plenty. 
No comments:
Post a Comment