Ikon Pass to include Zermatt and Cervinia for the 2019/20 ski season

Matterhorn at dusk. Photo credit: Marc Weiler. Zermatt Tourism Office. Ikon Pass to include Zermatt and Cervinia for the 2019/20 ski season.

Ikon Pass to include Zermatt and Cervinia for the 2019/20 ski season

Ikon Pass expands into Europe with the addition of Zermatt in Switzerland and Cervinia Valtourneche in Italy for the 2019/20 ski season

Soak up the magic of the Matterhorn as Zermatt in Switzerland becomes the first European destination partner on the Ikon Pass. Now Ikon Pass holders have access to snow at 41 global destinations across five continents.

The iconic Matterhorn towers over more than 3,500 acres (1,416 hectares) of terrain that spans both Switzerland and Italy, offering Swiss hospitality coupled with Italian lifestyle, in the highest skiable terrain offered in the picturesque Alps. Connected lift service offers Ikon Pass holders access to Rothorn, Gornergrat and the Schwarzsee-Matterhorn glacier paradise within the Zermatt ski area, plus Cervinia-Valtournenche ski areas in Italy, collectively known as Matterhorn ski paradise.

The IKON Pass extends into Europe. Ikon Pass to include Zermatt and Cervinia for the 2019/20 ski season.
The IKON Pass extends into Europe. Ikon Pass to include Zermatt and Cervinia for the 2019/20 ski season.

Ikon Pass holders will have seven-day access to Zermatt and the Matterhorn ski paradise network on the Ikon Pass with no blackout dates, and five-day access on the Ikon Base Pass, also with no blackout dates.

“The Matterhorn is a true icon known around the world, so we are thrilled to have Zermatt join the Ikon Pass community,” said Erik Forsell, Chief Marketing Officer for Alterra Mountain Company. “Ikon Pass strives to continually offer pass holders unique experiences in the mountains. Now they can experience Zermatt’s glacier skiing, traditional Swiss fondue, plus its infamous European après ski across two countries, on one pass.”

“Zermatt and Matterhorn ski paradise are pleased to be the first European destination on the Ikon Pass, and we look forward to offering our best Swiss quality and Italian lifestyle to Ikon Pass holders everywhere. We are excited to share our passion and devotion to skiing within the Ikon Pass community and its impressive destination partners across the globe,” said Sandra Zenhäusern, Director of Marketing, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG.

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Stream bursts banks and floods Zermatt

Matterhorn with an imposing ram in front of it. Photo Leander Wenger. Zermatt Tourism Office. Stream bursts banks and floods Zermatt.

Stream bursts banks and floods Zermatt

From Swissinfo.ch

A torrent of water in the Triftbach stream caused unexpected flooding in the Swiss resort of Zermatt. A pocket of meltwater in the glacier above is believed to be the cause.

Despite it being the hottest day of the year without a drop of rain in sight, the Triftbach stream took Zermatt by surprise on Wednesday when it transformed into a gushing torrent of grey water for a while. News website 20 Minuten was able to source footage from readers.

(Keystone / Philippe Mooser) Swissinfo.ch. Stream bursts banks and floods Zermatt.
(Keystone / Philippe Mooser) Swissinfo.ch. Stream bursts banks and floods Zermatt.

No one was injured, the municipality said.

A glacier is probably at the origin of these torrents of water carrying sand and stones, said mayor Romy Biner-Hauser, who described it as “an unpredictable whim of nature”.

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Zermatt to try recycled plastic ‘green’ road re-surfacing project

Matterhorn, the classic view from picture-perfect Zermatt. Photo: Kurt Müller. Zermatt to try recycled plastic ‘green’ road re-surfacing project.

Zermatt to try recycled plastic ‘green’ road re-surfacing project

From Traffic Technology Today.

Zermatt is always a leading resort in lifts development and now it has taken a ‘green’ approach in resurfacing roads. They are using a new technology from a Scottish company that uses waste plastic to create an environmentally-friendly pavement.

Laura Tinham and Nick Burnett - MacRebur Switzerland. Photo: RRO. Zermatt to try recycled plastic ‘green’ road re-surfacing project
Laura Tinham and Nick Burnett – MacRebur Switzerland. Photo: RRO. Zermatt to try recycled plastic ‘green’ road re-surfacing project

Already Zermatt is a car-free town and uses electric cars to whizz passengers and their luggage from the train station into their lodgings. For this pilot project, one of the main road junctions has been re-surfaced using this new technology from MacRebur, an award-winning Scottish company that allows waste plastic that wold go to incineration or landfill to be used in an asphalt mix.

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The New Address in Zermatt – Chalet Zen

The New Address in Zermatt – Chalet Zen, photo courtesy of Chalet Zen.

Chalet Zen is the new address in Zermatt. This luxurious, yet cosy and privately-owned chalet is located 100 meters from the piste and main lift up to the glacier, providing access to all of Zermatt and Cervinia ski areas. The chalet is located in an unrivalled position looking up to the majestic Matterhorn and is also a short stroll from the village.

The Chalet Zen offers sleeping accommodation for 8 + 2 in a bunk suite.

The New Address in Zermatt – Chalet Zen, photo courtesy of Chalet Zen.
The New Address in Zermatt – Chalet Zen, photo courtesy of Chalet Zen.

Classically furnished, chalet Zen retains the feel of an authentic Swiss chalet and yet caters for all the modern après ski necessities including massage and steam rooms, an outdoor hot tub, WI-FI, satellite and cable TV channels. The chalet can accommodate 8 + 2 guests in four bedrooms and a bunk-room that can be combined with a 5th bathroom to form a family suite. Three of the four bedrooms have south facing balconies with Matterhorn views and the five luxurious marble bathrooms (4 en-suite) have under-floor heading. There are two spacious living and dining areas with fireplaces along with a small study and well-stocked library of books, DVDs and games to suit all ages. Lift access to all floors.

With a charming, professional manager and concierge, dedicated housekeeping team with chef available on request, Chalet Zen combines supreme comfort and privacy with service of the very highest standard.

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A gas explosion has taken place Friday at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.

A gas explosion has taken place Friday at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.

A gas explosion occurred early Friday afternoon in the kitchen of the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof in Zermatt (VS), which was still closed before the start of the season. Six people were injured. The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is the iconic hotel in the middle of the town of Zermatt, one of the most renown iconic hotels there. You can read more of Zermatt in our recent guide here.

From Sivtelegram.media

#explosiongaz – 13:45 – Zermatt – gas explosion in the kitchen of a hotel – several-injured – fire-mastered – assistance on site – no danger for the population – Info will follow – Polcant VS

— Police in Valais (@PoliceValais) November 30, 2018

The Zermatterof is one of the most renown hotels in Zermatt - in the middle of town, in the Dorfstrasse, as shown in this picture. A gas explosion has taken place Friday at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.
The Zermatterof is one of the most renown hotels in Zermatt – in the middle of town, in the Dorfstrasse, as shown in this picture. A gas explosion has taken place Friday at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.

The severity of the injuries of the six people, including five kitchen employees, is not yet known, said Keystone-ATS Fernando Clemenz of the Matterhorn Group. The people affected have been delivered to hospitals in Sion, Visp and doctors of the station.

Forty firefighters, two helicopters and two ambulances were dispatched on the spot. The fire was quickly mastered. The population incurs no danger, said the police cantonale valaisanne.

Am Freitagnachmittag ist es in der Küche des Grand Hotels Zermatterhof im Zentrum von #Zermatt zu einer Explosion gekommen. Sechs Personen wurden dabei verletzt und mussten sich in ärztliche Behandlung begeben. https://t.co/oj8FOVLHrM

— 1815.ch (@1815_online) November 30, 2018

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Zermatt Must-READ Guide

Zermatt Village - Photo copyright: Leander Wenger - Zermatt Tourist Board. Zermatt is a high-altitude resort that will not suffer much in the future with less snow thanks to its altitude. What does Climate Change will mean to a Mountain Nation such as Switzerland by 2060.

Zermatt Must-READ Guide

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Zermatt’s History:

Zermatt is all what you have thought of and more….it is a chocolate-box village – quintessentially Swiss, that have been hosting guests for many years – mainly those trying to reach the peak of the Matterhorn. The area had human traces from 8,000 to the 1,800 BC with the “Schwarze Tschugge” shelter at Schwarzsee, a cup-marked stone at Ofenen, above Zmutt and a stone axe blade from the Theodul Pass. The Theodul Pass was used as a crossover and trade route for the Romans for finding coins and the Romanised Celts.

Zermatterhof in Dorfstrasse - Old Zermatt.
Zermatterhof in Dorfstrasse – Old Zermatt.

On the 8th century the Alemannic took possession of Upper Valais and German replaced Latin. But speed the time forward to 13th August 1792 when Genevese scholar Horace Bénédict de Saussure climbed the Klein Matterhorn. From the Theodul glacier, he determined the height of the Matterhorn to be 4,501.7 m (today 4,477.5 m) using a 50-foot-long chain spread out on the glacier and a sextant.

In 1813 the Breithorn is the first four-thousand-metre peak to be climbed.

In 1839 Zermatt surgeon Lauber opens the first inn (hotel Cervie) with three beds. Today is Hotel Monte Rosa.

Continue reading “Zermatt Must-READ Guide”

Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

Matterhorn by Chris Holgersson. Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

On 11 September of 2018, a rescuer from Zermatt discovered bones of a human body and mountain gear at the foot of the Matterhorn. These are related to an accident in 2014.

Matterhorn Frisch Verschneit. Matterhorn in winter. Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.
Matterhorn Frisch Verschneit. Matterhorn in winter. Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.

On July 23rd, 2014, a 40-year-old Japanese mountaineer climbed the Matterhorn alone. He never returned and he was considered missing.

Time passed, and on September 11, 2018, a rescuer from Zermatt found the human bones and mountain gear at the foot of the wall on the eastern side of the Matterhorn – this was due to melting snow which allowed the bones and equipment to resurface.

Continue reading “Thanks to a DNA test confirmation, the remains found near the Matterhorn where matched to a Japanese climber.”

Leitner presents the “Matterhorn Glacier Ride” the world’s highest cablecar, located in Zermatt designed by Pininfarina and showcasing Swarovski crystals.

The Matterhorn Glacier Ride. German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.

Zermatt’s latest attraction, the “Matterhorn glacier ride”, is set to open at the end of September. The world’s highest 3S cableway, combining the ultimate in design sophistication with maximum comfort, will serve Europe’s highest cableway station. The new 3S cable car ride built by LEITNER ropeways will enable visitors to reach the Klein Matterhorn, a popular destination for excursions, 365 days a year. The making of the “Matterhorn glacier ride” is a story as extraordinary as the ride itself. A total of 38 companies from Switzerland and Italy have been involved in Zermatt Bergbahnen AG’s largest-ever construction project. With the project due to be completed in an incredible 600 working days, they are turning the vision of the “Matterhorn glacier ride” into reality.  Zermatt Bergbahnen AG and LEITNER ropeways worked together with Swarovski to produce a very special premium product: a state-of-the-art ropeway technology in Pininfarina design meets premium crystal finishing, and provides an as-yet unrivalled level of finishing and design.

The station for the 3s Bahn that will ride to the Klein Matterhorn. Zermatt Bergbahnen. Zermatt Tourism Office.
The station for the 3s Bahn that will ride to the Klein Matterhorn. Zermatt Bergbahnen. Zermatt Tourism Office.

Europe’s highest construction site

145 people from 38 different companies have been involved in the biggest construction project in the history of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG. From September 2018, the 3S (three-cable system) cableway will transport up to 2000 passengers an hour to Matterhorn glacier paradise (Klein Matterhorn) – 365 days a year.

The Klein Matterhorn usually has daytime temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, wind speeds reaching 240 km/h, heavy snow and dense fog.

Continue reading “Leitner presents the “Matterhorn Glacier Ride” the world’s highest cablecar, located in Zermatt designed by Pininfarina and showcasing Swarovski crystals.”