 #19 Zermatt, Switzerland
15 - 18 April 2010
Zermatt could not be left aside of the programme, so here is it, again at the best time of the year. This trip is indeed never as good as in spring, when the days are longer and clearer, which allows better views of the 4478m high Matterhorn. In addition, Zermatt has typically a fantastic record track for good snow quality at the end of the season. Especially because of its altitude, with such a large part of the area above 3,000m, and the quality of its infrastructure: 60% of the 350km of pistes are either on the glacier or provided with snowmaking facilities. This trip also allows to try out some heliskiing on the Monte Rosa glacier, as some of us have done two years ago, and/or explore one of the numerous possibilities for ski-touring. There are also plenty of off-piste opportunities around the Stockhorn / Rote Nase / Triftji area, as well as around the unterer Theodulgletscher... The latter, provided you have a guide - we usually form a group and cater for one - and of course your avalanche equipment.
If this is a foretaste for expert skiers and snowboarders, Zermatt has also a lot to offer for the less experienced ones: premiere quality snow on the klein Matterhorn glacier area, great variety of blue and red runs on all sides (Furi / Schwarzsee, Rothorn, and Cervinia!), not to mention the fantastic scenery around the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. Need to fill in your stomach? Make a lunch break in the mountains, enjoying the panorama at the Gornergrat restaurant, or at the Testa Grigia hut before carving down to Italy.
After the skiing, enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the car-free village, go shopping, or join the group at the Papperla... And book a table for dinner at the Schäferstübli. Our hotel is a long-time partner of the club: the 3* hotel Gornergrat, ideally located in the centre, opposite to the station and quite close to the lifts. Not to forget: this year again, we're right there for the Zermatt unplugged concerts! |
