Zermatt, Switzerland. Zermatt is an all-season resort. Reviews, photos

Switzerland from many countries of the world was most fortunate. Not having any significant deposits of minerals, it entered the top ten most prosperous states. And why does Switzerland need oil or gas? After all, it has mountains! The whole territory of the country is the majestic Alps. And also - blue lakes, green intermountain valleys, turbulent rivers, colorful architecture, untouched by war. Switzerland built its well-being on a reliable banking system, precise watches and, of course, impeccable tourist service. The crystal award, the world's best chocolate and cream cheese also added fame to this mountainous country. But the backbone of the Swiss economy has been and remains international tourism. From some names of resorts already blows considerable money, stability and respectability - Davos, St. Moritz, Saas-Fee, Interlaken, Leukerbad, Zermatt ... Switzerland is ready to receive guests all year round. Because not only to appear on skis, tourists come here. Treatment on the water, mountaineering, trekking, rafting on rivers, bright sightseeing programs - all this, with the accompaniment of first-class service, you can taste in this mountainous country. The focus of this article will be only one of its resorts - Zermatt (Switzerland) - and reviews about it.

Where is the

In administrative terms, Switzerland is divided into cantons. Some of them are German-speaking, others speak Italian or French. But tourists are most interested in what mountain region belong to these or other resorts in Switzerland. So where is Zermatt located? Administratively - in speaking in French and German canton Valais. But more importantly, this resort lies on the slopes of the Matterhorn - the fifth highest peak in the Alpine mountains. So, skiing on bluish glimmering glaciers is guaranteed even in the summer. And yet: the peak of the Matterhorn has another name - Cervinia. And this means that, having risen on the lift on the Swiss side, you can ski straight to Italy. But without it, Zermatt is an unusual resort. For more than a year now, he has led the way among other Swiss skiing areas in terms of the number of mountain skiers. And not because it is budgetary. Rather, on the contrary: Zermatt is one of the most expensive resorts. The secret lies in the fact that the peak Matterhorn, a typical brilliant file crashing into the sky, can be seen from everywhere. Its snow-capped peak is a kind of visiting card of the country called Switzerland. Zermatt, photos and posters of which are the most recognizable (at least on the chocolate wrapper "Tableletton"), all year round gives its guests an atmosphere of a holiday, sparkling fun and European chic.

Resort development

At the beginning of the XIX century, no one heard of a village lost in the mountains. And now it became a breeze to go there for a winter holiday. And then Zermatt really was not a settlement - in the summer the shepherds engaged in pasture cattle farming stopped there. And when in the middle of the XIX century doctors declared that the panacea for tuberculosis was mountain air, Swiss villages began to turn into medical resorts for the nobility. At first they came here only in the summer. The resort of Zermatt (Switzerland) became known for its one origin - Seider. It was he who built the first three hotels, which, decorating their signs with five stars, still accept tourists. Herman Seider, the son of the famous hotelier, went even further. He opened the first ski school in Zermatt to popularize the holiday in Switzerland in the winter. In parallel, fashion grew and conquered peaks. Matterhorn, on the slopes of which Zermatt is located, turned out to be a hard nut. The first ascent of 1865 ended in tragedy: of the seven Englishmen who went to the top, only three returned. But this only spurred interest in the peak. In 1933, a railway was built, which connected Zermatt with the main cities of Switzerland.

When it is better to come here

The off-season in the mountain climate of Switzerland does not last long. Winter (October to May) is quickly replaced by a hot summer (mid-June to mid-September). But, as already mentioned, the resort is ready to take skiers all year round. Zermatt never lacks a guest. Skiing in the summer months is available thanks to the non-existent glaciers Gorner, Findelglecher, Ober-Theodylglecher and Matterhorn itself. Almost all the year round the tracks are open to the level of Trockener-Steg (2939 m). On the slopes of Klein-Matterhorn (3883 m) you can also see a large number of snowboarders and skiers. But even if the development of descents is not among your interests, the summer Zermatt (Switzerland) will surprise you. Hundreds of horse, trekking and walking routes scatter from the village. The pride of the whole of Switzerland is the old survey railroad Gornergrat Bahn, which rises to a height of 3407 meters to the peak of Stockhorn. Russian tourists in their reviews praise the so-called "dawn trains", which every week of the week leave for the station Gornergrat. To see the stunning sunrise over the Matterhorn from the observation deck is an indescribable sensation. High-altitude alpine villages with an old way of life are ready to host eco-tourists. Reviews of outdoor enthusiasts assure that walking, cycling and horse routes are ideal and safe. The cleanest lakes will enjoy the rich catch of fishermen. And those who like to luxuriate in warm waters, will find what they are looking for in the SPA resorts of Zermatt.

Winter holidays

Peak of the season is observed in Switzerland during the Christmas-New Year period. And so pretty high prices soar to the skies. Therefore, reviews are advised to those tourists who can not afford Zermatt (Switzerland), stay in hotels from the Italian side. This is, above all, the resort of Bry-Cervinia. It is united with Zermatt by one ski area of Glacier Paradise. And although a single ski pass is very expensive (about 340 euros for six days), you can save a little on housing and food. Skating on the slopes of Matterhorn is really amazing and exceptional. The most comfortable lifts in total number seventy-two deliver skiers to the tops of the trails without the slightest turn. But from the chairlifts, hanging and ropeways the most remarkable remains the iron one, which operates on the principle of the funicular. It starts from the very center of Zermatt, and gets to a height of more than three thousand meters (peak Gornergrat). After a short day of sunshine, visitors to the resorts of Switzerland, waiting for a fascinating après-ski. Baths, saunas, SPA procedures, tennis courts, horse and dog sledding, ice rink and shopping - you will not notice how the evening will change at night. A lot of restaurants will help you to satisfy hunger, and discos and nightclubs will cheer up.

Zermatt: directions

In the south-eastern part of the canton of Valais, it is most convenient to come from Italy or France. However, one should take into account the fact that most of the tunnels, which significantly cut the way, are paid. There is a railway connection linking the main resorts of Switzerland, such as Davos and St. Moritz. But the famous Glacier Express is, rather, a tourist attraction, rather than a means of communication. On this "express train" it is good to make a sightseeing tour. Excellent reviews are called Geneva and Zurich. Ski resorts are located from them in three and a half hours on the usual train. In Fispe, you should change to a narrow-gauge electric shuttle "Matterhorn Gotthard Railway". It also drives you to the very center of the resort. The ultra-modern and comfortable train station is located at the end of the main street. For reasons of ecology, the inhabitants of Zermatt decided to abandon the gasoline-powered transport. Near the station you will be met by an electric taxi (fare - fifteen francs within the village) or a bus (if you have a ski pass free of charge, and if there is no it, the trip costs three francs). This environmentally friendly transport serves all the key points of the Zermatt village. How to get to the resort by car? Alas, the reviews of tourists unanimously recommend leaving the iron horse at a paid parking lot in the village of Tash, which is five kilometers below Zermatt and change to the same shuttle.

Where to stay

Glory turned a small mountain village into a large resort town. The number of hotels grew with Zermatt. But the very first hotel has been preserved here, serving tourists without a break for more than one hundred and sixty years - the Mont Cervin Palace. Two years ago, this five-star hotel was completely renovated. No less ancient history can boast two more "historic" hotels - Monte Rosa and Riffelalp. Unfortunately, the hotel base of Zermatt is not like the modern ski resorts in Europe. In the village you will hardly find hotels practicing ski in (riding from the door). But Kulmhotel Gornergrat is located at the top railway station-cable car. This is the most high-altitude hotel in Switzerland. It is located at 3,100 meters above sea level - above only shelters for climbers. As is clear from the reviews, the guests of the five-star Rifferalp Resort also have the opportunity to be the first to reach the slopes. This historic hotel is located at the intermediate station of the narrow gauge railway to Gornergrat. In addition to these hotels, Zermatt is full of hotels and apartments of a lower level. They are convenient for placing families and large companies. However, you can not count on cheap accommodation in Zermatt.

Where to eat

ADAC Ski Guide - an authoritative guide that evaluates ski resorts around the world, has repeatedly awarded this resort the title of the best. One of the criteria of expert analysis is the restaurant base. In this Zermatt is ahead of the whole planet. Here are presented as high-end restaurants marked with stars Gau Millau and Michelin, and McDonald's. Even the trays on the main street sell gorgeous, incredibly tasty sausages with mustard. Among the best restaurants in the Zermatt (Switzerland) resort are Le Cervin, Le Gourmet (in the oldest hotel Alpenhof) and Corbeau d'Or. Canton Valais is famous for its cuisine, so do not discount the traditional restaurants. Testimonials recommend to try fondue and lamb on the syringe in Stockhorn Grill Room. In the hall with an open hearth is always cozy, and the waiters are hospitable and efficient. The average dinner at this restaurant will cost 30 francs, which is not so much on the general background of Zermatt. Another feature of the local cuisine is the "Valezian plate" - in fact, a meze or a meat cut. Different types of ham and sausages of local production will not leave anyone indifferent. A table in the restaurant should be booked in advance. From 16.30 the bars open their doors hospitably. Among the best reviews called Cafe DuPont (try fondue here even locals come), Fuchs coffee shop (the best in Zermatt apple strudel), Pink Elephant, Sparky's and Papperla Pub. In all establishments there is a great cozy atmosphere, respectability and at the same time a cheerful ease. Prices for wine start from 3.50 CHF per 100 milliliters.

Skating area of Glacier Paradise

Rest in Switzerland in winter is truly unforgettable. The fabulous beauty of the local nature, the severe silence of the four thousandths, the glistening glaciers, the mountain sun covering the skin with bronze tan, give skating a special charm. And the developed tourist infrastructure, instructors and rescuers do everything possible to make extreme rest as safe as possible. The Zermatt ski area is combined with the Italian Cervinia. In winter, the total length of the trails is about 360 kilometers. In this case, you can enjoy a difference in altitude: from the top of Klein-Matterhorn (3900 meters) to the lowest point of skiing (about 1600 meters). In summer, the length of the routes narrows to 21 kilometers, which is also quite a lot - after all, the possibility of skiing in July can not offer all the resorts in Switzerland. This and is noteworthy Zermatt. Scheme of the route gives preference to athletes confidently standing on skis and aces. Tourists still claim that there are gentle slopes here, but they occupy no more than 20% of the total number of roads. But for advanced skiers Zermatt offers over two hundred kilometers of red trails, 62 km of black and 34 km of blue. The requests of amateurs of mogul, off-pist and heli-skiing are also considered. The longest route of the zone is 22 kilometers, the most extreme black descent is Triftji Bumps (from the peak of Hohtalli). In Zermatt there is the largest in Europe snowpark. There are two toboggan runs there. At the disposal of fans of cross-country skiing, 115 km of marked tracks are given.

Skiing in Zermatt

After the lifts are closed, you will not be bored. Like all ski resorts in Switzerland, Zermatt can boast of a developed entertainment network. In addition to more than a hundred restaurants and bars, where you can satisfy hunger and refresh yourself with a glass of mulled wine, it offers its guests more refined amusements. Knowing how the feet worn out during the day skiing in ski boots, almost all hotels have with them saunas, Russian steam rooms and hammams. Fatigue can be removed in one of the fifteen indoor swimming pools of the resort. There are a cinema, two tennis courts, twelve tanning salons and a squash room. If you have never been skiing, experienced instructors (including Russian speakers) will help you master this skill. Reviews recommend booking individual lessons. There is also a skating school for toddlers. By the way, you can come to the resort with children. While parents dashingly cut on the tracks, the baby will be completely under supervision in the local kindergarten. And, of course, shopping. Ladies who visited the resort, they assure that the main street of the town is simply dotted with representative offices of fashion companies of clothes, shoes and accessories.

Local Attractions

The resort of Zermatt offers curious tourists a lot of opportunities. The most fascinating excursion, taking seven and a half hours - a trip on the "Glacial Express." This is the slowest train in the world, because the main thing here is not speed, but the landscapes floating behind the window to the accompaniment of the audio guide. The express passes about 300 bridges, spanned at a dizzy height, and 100 tunnels. This pleasure is worth two hundred and seventy-five francs, if you go first class. The cost of the tour includes lunch with three changes of dishes. At the top station Klein Matterhorn tourists are waiting for a huge cave, knocked out in the glacier. At a depth of 15 meters, the elevator is lowered. Reviews recommend visiting the museum of the history of the resort. It is located near the church of Zermatt. Lovers of romance can recommend an exciting night in an icy needle hut. It can be reached in the evening on snowshoes, dinner for fondue, steam in a bath, and then wrapped in skins and fall asleep on an ice bed. Those who consider themselves ill-prepared for heli-skiing, but who are attracted by the peaks, can use the services of the company Air Zermatt. Helicopters, designed for four passengers, will take you to the top of the Matterhorn or one of 36 surrounding four-thousanders in minutes. The forty-minute flight will cost 420 Swiss francs.