Zermatt/Switzerland:  What’s new 2006?

New 4000-metre peak in Zermatt: 120-metre-high pyramid for the Klein Matterhorn

Zermatt Bergbahnen realise Heinz Julen’s project

The summit of the Klein Matterhorn, at 3883 m above sea level already the highest observation platform in the Alps, is to be raised. The plan is to construct a 120-m high pyramid with two platforms reached by lift. One of the platforms will be located right above the glacier, the other at an altitude of 4000 metres. The lifts go up the north-east face of the peak.

Besides the lifts and observation platforms, there is also a restaurant. Zermatt Bergbahnen plans to start construction as early as this summer (first stage: laying of water and power lines, cafeteria, climbing lodge, underground access to the glacial grotto).

Furi-Riffelberg cable car link in time for winter

A new 8-seat cable car will be built for service between Furi and Riffelberg. It will run from Furi via Schweigmatten up to Riffelberg (where it joins the Gifthittli chairlift). The cable car is scheduled to open in time for winter 2006.

New Matterhorn museum

A new Matterhorn museum will open its doors in December 2006 to tell the exciting story of the “Horu” (Matterhorn) – from its origins in Africa and the dramatic first ascent to the present day. Up to 3000 intrepid mountaineers attempt to scale the mountain to cap all mountains each year.

Get to the Gornergrat in even greater comfort

Four new twin level-entry railcars will get you to the top of the Gornergrat in greater comfort starting from summer. The new railcars are faster, have extra-wide doors and additional retractable steps for easy access. The high side windows and the observation windows over the driver’s cab, meanwhile, are designed with photographers in mind, with opening windows on the upper floors. More comfort and safety are provided by a special fire system and three independent brake systems.

The Alps’ highest hotel at 3100 m above sea level reopens

Hotel Kulm Gornergrat, which first opened nearly 100 years ago, has been completely refurbished at a cost of CHF 8.5 million. It is now directly accessible from the railway station via three lifts, has 23 3-star rooms and two tower suites, a shopping mall for Swiss products (watches and knives), two restaurants (waiter service/self-service) with banquet seating for 250.

Swiss Nordic Parc – new routes for Nordic walkers

The Swiss Nordic Parc will be opening in time for the summer season: Five routes of more than 30 km in the Rothorn and Schwarzsee paradise of all levels of difficulty (all routes can either be done as a circuit or as a one-way route). The Swiss Topwalk awaits Nordic walkers on the Gornergrat and thanks to the chip system you can compare your time with that of top athletes.

New fixed rope routes for Zermatt

Three new fixed rope routes are being put up around Turuwang above the railway station. The first is for beginners and includes an abseil down a 60-metre sheer drop. The second is overhanging while route number three is steep and leads through the rock face; it is due for completion in time for the summer season. The climbing route can be used free of charge and without a mountain guide.

Adventure trails – learn more while out hiking

If you want to experience more while out hiking, the new theme trails around Zermatt are just the thing. Each of them is colour-coded and has its own sign, making it easy for hikers to find their way whatever language they speak. The Murmelweg is red and indicated by a marmot. The panoramic trail (Blauherd-Ritzengrat) now reveals why the Matterhorn is actually African and not Swiss at all, and the Matterhorn glacier Trail (Trockener Steg-Schwarzsee paradise) has icy information about glaciers. On the Lärchenweg or ‘Larch Trail’ (Schwarzsee paradise-Furi) you will find out why trees suddenly grow on exposed rocky knolls and what a small bird called the nutcracker part in it is...

Zermatt - Saas Fee ski pass

Zermatt and Saas-Fee are treading a common path. The two largest summer skiing areas in the Alps now offer a joint ski pass during the summer season (July-October). That means more skiing enjoyment for less money! Zermatt and Saas-Fee are only 40 minutes apart. 41 km of prepared carving pistes and mogul fields and the summer parks with half-pipes and obstacles for free-stylers offer a refreshing snowy experience on hot summer’s days.

Glacier gardens – Epic geology

The caves concealed in the rocks in the forest above Furi are large, deep and a bit spooky. But these potholes are not the product of witches and giants (as legend has it), but originated in the depths of a giant primeval ocean. To find out more visit the glacier gardens. Eight brand new information signs detail the history of the potholes – simply and entertainingly with the aid of diagrams. If you don’t want to venture out on your own, you can join Dr. Micha Schlup. The geologist from the University of Lausanne holds regular guided tours through the gardens.

Get from Täsch to Zermatt in even more comfort – a simple switch from road to rail

1700 covered parking spaces have already been opened at the new Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch, as has the new service centre with counter facilities and the new station concourse. Luggage can now also be loaded straight from the car onto one of the 750 luggage trolleys and then taken down the ramp and over the station concourse to the shuttle trains of the Matterhorn-Gotthard line.

The multi-storey car park with its total of 2000 covered parking spaces and the covered station entrance is scheduled to open at the end of 2006.