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   On this page:
   First Matterhorn ascent
   Places to eat
   Village map
   Town statistics

   Related pages:
   Zermatt weather  
   Live street camera
  

Zermatt winter evening  #CD2-79 - 96 KB

CD3-038 - 252 KB

CD3-023 - 242 KB

Matterhorn from Zermatt (summer) - 73 KB

Beautiful flowers are typical of summer in Zermatt - 138 KB

Matterhorn view from the river in Zermatt - 65 KB

Flags by the church (summer) - 91 KB

The main street from the church (summer) - 162 KB

Swiss National Day - August 1st - 44 KB

Jewellers on the Bahnhofstrasse (summer) - 80 KB

Spring in 'Old Zermatt' (April)

CD3-007 - 262 KB

The Bahnhofstrasse in the evening (summer) - 96 KB

Evening falls over the colourful main street of Zermatt (spring)

Al fresco dining on a pleasant summer's evening- 77 KB

The beautiful old church in the center of Zermatt

A snowy Bahnhofstrasse

The Matterhorn in April from Zermatt - 132 KB

Autumn by the church

The center of town in summer

Morning light on the Taschhorn (summer) - 88 KB

more village photos

 

   

About Zermatt

 snowflake.gif (928 bytes) The mountain village of Zermatt is one of the great ski and climbing centres of the world. Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, it is dominated by the huge and graceful pyramid of the Matterhorn.

From the moment you step off your Swiss-red train and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs patiently waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place.

What strikes me most often is the silence. There are no cars here. This immediately creates a welcoming atmosphere. The air is fresh and crisp. But more than this, you immediately feel a part of the village. It draws you in. Most everyone is on foot, locals and visitors alike.

The main street bustles happily with pedestrians. There are no impersonal tour buses belching out noise, fumes, and package tourists. Zermatt is no auto through-route. The train stops here. All journeys on from here are on foot or ski. Everyone is here because they love mountains. Walking through the cobbled paths of town, between the ancient sunburnt barns and chalets, you catch your first glimpse of the Matterhorn and know you have come to the right place. Welcome to Zermatt...

First Ascent of the Matterhorn

Zermatt's place in history was tragically secured with the first ascent of the Matterhorn 150 years ago. As the surrounding peaks were climbed in the 1830's to 50's, there developed intense competition to conquer the Matterhorn, which for many years had been considered "unclimbable". The English climber Edward Whymper had made several abortive attempts from the Italian side, when in 1865, he learned that the Rev. Charles Hudson was to attempt the Matterhorn from Zermatt.1st climb

Hurrying over the Theodulpass, he joined forces together with Lord Francis Douglas, George Hadow, and the guides Michel Croz (from Chamonix), and Peter Taugwalder and his son (from Zermatt).

On the 14th of July the ascent was triumphantly achieved. However during the descent, just below the summit on the north face, Hadow slipped. In three disastrous seconds, Hadow fell onto the unprepared Croz, subsequently pulling Hudson and Douglas away from the face. The elder Taugwalder belayed the rope round a rock; but it snapped and four of the seven climbers fell thousands of feet to their deaths down the north wall.

News of the triumph and tragedy flashed around the world, and Zermatt and the Matterhorn have held a special fascination for many people ever since. N.b.You can join our virtual climb of the Matterhorn by clicking here.

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snowflake.gif (928 bytes) Today the beauty of the setting is still unsurpassed. Dominated by the unmistakable peak of the Matterhorn, at 4478 metres (14,692 ft), standing alone at the head of the valley, Zermatt is encircled by a famous ring of mountains over 4000 metres (13000 feet) high. The names of Dent Blanche (4356m), Weisshorn (4505m), Dom (4545m), Gabelhorn (4062m), Zinal-Rothorn (4221m), and Monte Rosa (4634m) continue to attract mountain lovers to the heart of one of the world's most magnificent alpine areas.

snowflake.gif (928 bytes) Zermatt is car-free and consequently any walking around is very pleasant. A promenade down the main street in the evening is always popular. At any time, it is delightful to explore some of the tiny (and romantic) cobbled alleyways just off the main street, where you will find ancient sun browned barns and traditional chalets. It is very much like stepping back in time.

snowflake.gif (928 bytes) Places to eat... It should be noted that the quality is high throughout Zermatt and prices can vary immensely. Have a look around, there are cosy restaurants everywhere and menus with prices are normally posted outside. When in the mountains be sure stop at any traditional little mountain hut/restaurant you see. Normally these offer simple, but excellent dishes at reasonable prices. (The menus are usually translated into English)

Despite Zermatt's popularity, despite it's growth, it is still only a village, open and friendly, where people mix happily in the main street, mercifully free of cars, and dance the night away in the many rendezvous at hand. There are bars, restaurants and night-spots to suit every taste and pocket. Truly cosmopolitan, Zermatt rejoices in an easy comradeship among sportsman which knows no frontiers.

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pre-designed theme

Zermatt - the "Mountain Mecca" has

bullet29 mountains soaring over 4000m (13,100ft)
bulletNine of the ten highest mountains in Europe
bulletthe highest (ski) lift in Europe - Klein Matterhorn (Gobba di Rollin) 3899m (12,830ft)
bulletthe largest summer skiing area in the Alps (all year 9 ski lifts / 25 km runs)
bulletthe longest winter skiing season in Europe (late November to late April)
bulletthe longest consistently open ski run in Europe (Klein Matterhorn to Zermatt 13 Km - open late November to mid April)

General village statistics

5700 permanent residents, 29000 guest beds
Local language is German; English spoken throughout
6 Doctors, 1 dentist, 4 pharmacies, 1 physiotherapist
Heliport Zermatt with 5 helicopters
Comprehensive Emergency service
Catholic, Protestant and English churches
4 Banks, Post Office with telephones, telex, public fax
Three supermarkets, 9 bakeries & many specialty food stores
Many Sports shops with ski, snowboard, mountain bike & climbing equipment sales and rental
Several Clothing boutiques & Shoe shops
Two Photo shops, several Dry-cleaners
Many Jewellers, Watch and souvenir shops
Many Hairdressers and Barbers
Mains power supply: 220 volts, 50 Hz

  For any further information please contact us !

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