Local music
by Maryimelda
One of the most famous Swiss customs is the playing of the Alpenhorn. The origins of this wonderful instrument are not really known, but it was once used as a means of calling in the cows for milking. I would imagine that the principle of playing the Alpenhorn is similar to that used Down Under when playing the Didgeridoo (although the end product is quite different.)
I was lucky to find these two guys playing outside of the Catholic Church in the main square in Zermatt late one afternoon.
Zermatt Alpine Museum
by Fam_Stoica
You can find an unique collection of documents which bears witness to the heroic first ascents of the mountains around Zermatt, beginning with the Klein Matterhorn which was first climbed by the scientist H.B. de Saussure from Geneva in 1792, ending with the triumphal and tragic first ascent of the Matterhorn on 14th July 1865. It is only thanks to the fore-sight of the hotelier family Seiler that we can still see today authentic pieces of equipment of those pioneers and moving relices of the victims off mountain tragedy.
Another section on the ground floor is dedicated to natural history - a wonderful collection of butterflies found in the local area, and representations/exhibits of alpine flora and fauna.
Particularly interesting exhibits are two relief models, to scale, made by Xaver Imfeld. One is of the Matterhorn and its surroundings, the other of the complete mountain system around Zermatt.
The rooms on the top floor are devoted to the history of life in the Alps. Numerous artefacts and utensils provide insights into everything from the simple life of alpine farmers to the equipment of the first skiers. The main attraction is a fully equipped kitchen as it would have appeared around 1770 the beginning of alpine tourism.
Get the right bus stop
by sierralyndon
During the morning rush hours to get to the ski lifts / stations, the free bus service that runs through the town can get pretty crowded and full. The nearest bus stop to our hotel (bus-stop on the bridge, nearest the Parnass and Excelsior hotels) was probably the last stop you could get on with no problems in the morning if you were going in the direction of the Klein Matterhorn gondola station. There were at least two or three more stops before reaching the station, but the bus drivers never stopped to pick people up because it was always full.
go to Italy
by upthemountain about Any of many that aren't at the top of a lift
We missed this one the first time but it looked so good we took a lift back up and skied back down to it.... sunny terrace and great coffee!
Mind the facilities though.... mostly squat toilets with no running water (a far cry from the Swiss side) Wonderful to have the Italian Swiss food mix.... polenta and kase.... great bread... and a bit cheaper then on the Swiss side.... plus you get to practice your italian and have some excellent grappa to warm you through and through
museumzermatlantis
by MATIM
Soon after we arrived it started to rain and the Matterhorn disappeared behind the clouds.
I decide to visit the Matterhorn
The museum invites you on a tour into Zermatt’s history, which is displayed as a archaeological dig.
You can find out how people lived in Zermatt in the 19th century, when there were no mountain railways and ski lifts and the first English mountaineers arrived in the mountain village. A further highlight of the exhibition is the Matterhorn show with the versatile, multimedia Matterhorn.
This museum is highlt recommended for children.
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Matterhorn
Papperla Pub.....
Walking through this winter wonder land
Marmot
