Introducing Zermatt
One word says it all: Matterhorn (4478m). The legendary peak towers over the town of Zermatt, acting like a magnet to ski fans, snowboarders and mountaineers. On 13 July 1865 Edward Whymper (who stayed at the grand Monte Rosa hotel) led the first successful ascent of the mountain. The climb took 32 hours but the descent was marred by tragedy when four team members crashed to their deaths in a 1200m fall down the North Wall. Many mountaineers still come to conquer the peak, but a few unlucky individuals never leave. Their names are etched in stone in the town's cemeteries.
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Skiers and snowboarders prefer going down to climbing up. The town doubled in size during the ski boom that raged in the 1960s and 1970s. For the rich and stylish, Zermatt is a place to see (as well as ski) and be seen (skiing or otherwise).
Last updated: Sep 30, 2008
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Recent posts
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RE: Suggestions for 2 free days in Switzerland
by martiniman 14 September 2011
I am with neckervd on this: Mürren is just too far away and more expensive. I would consider Zermatt and/or Gstaad, right in the heart…
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RE: glacier express
by neckervd 13 September 2011
The only thing that could make sense (for lovers of scenic railways only) would be the loop Zermat dp 10.00 - Glacier Express - St. Moritz…
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RE: glacier express
by h5n5 12 September 2011
no need to go with GlacierExpress from Zermatt to Oberwald and back., so make your decision as you said once you are there and go with…
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