 | Zermatt Sports Travel | Tips 1 - 10 of 20 |  |
Popular Sports Travel | Miscellaneous Sports Travel Tips | All Tips (20)  | |  |  | Climb "The Matterhorn"... | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Valais is a superb playground for the alpinism. On a total of 82 tops exceeding the altitude of 4' 000m on the whole of the Alps, more the half (41 summits) are in Valais!
Crampons, climbing harness and helmet (technical equipment can be rented in any sports shop) climbing boots with a profile rubber sole suitable for use with crampons, rucksack with a capacity of approx. 30 lt., warm weather-proof clothes, gloves, hat, headlamp, sunglasses, sun cream, a small amount of high-energy food (glucose, dried fruit, chocolate) and a thermos flask (tea is available at the hut) or other suitable flask with a capacity of 1 litre. Leave a Comment Theme: ClimbingWebsite: http://www2.zermatt.ch/alpincenter/
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| | | | Beginners skiing | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
So I decided to give skiing a go to see why everyone raves about it. I must say it was a painful and humbling experience, especially for one who has no sense of balance and is slightly afraid of heights! There are 3 big ski schools in Zermatt which all looked like they offered the same services. I am not trying to do a promotional thing for anyone, just want to share my experience. We went to the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School. They were extremely efficient and friendly at the office when we went there to confirm our booking done over the telephone two weeks before hand. Additionally, my husband did his shoulder in on the first day of the course... and they refunded him the fees in full no questions asked and no forms to fill - they just handed us the money after we showed them our receipt and told them what happened. I continued the course with a bunch of other beginners, and I was the worst! But the instructor was really patient and good (he was close to 60 I think but a tough old man, so no worries about the macho ski instructor thing going on there...). More than anything, you need someone to "force" you into trying something that you don't think you are able to do. They're good that way... knowing your limits and abilities better than you do. We started on a 3 day course, and then decided to add on later because it was just so much fun. During the week, they took us to different ski fields. (Stick close to the instructors because some learners actually got off at the wrong stop). Proud to say that I managed to ski down a blue run with the instructor on my third day! If I can do it, then anyone can, trust me.
This is basic info for beginners - advanced people please move on because the info here could be embarrassing! We rented our equipment from Slalom Sports (again, am not promoting them, I'm sure other sports shops have excellent service as well). The staff were knowledgeable, professional and friendly. During the week, we must have gone back about 4 times to change boots, return skis, re-rent them, etc. and they couldn't have been happier to help. Their prices were reasonable and we didn't need to "persuade" them to consider re-rentals as add-on days, etc. as you may do in some other ski resorts who are out to make money. I rented the wrong size boots not knowing how tight they were supposed to be. I could hardly walk in them, but people kept saying that "they've got to be tight". Hurt really bad the first day. Then got them changed at the shop to one size larger - slightly better - but still hurt like crazy on the slopes. Third day, changed boot model altogether (no more of that modern buckley boots, but went with some really old-fashioned ones) and they were perfect! So perfect in fact that we bought them off the shop for CHF30 at the end of our trip!! Who cares if they were ugly, they were comfy and will be good for the next couple of seasons as I get better at skiing! Leave a Comment Theme: Skiing/Snowboarding
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Snow skiing in Zermatt is well worth the trip to the top. The runs are all day long adventures skiing down the alps and stopping at the many alpine chalet restaurants along the way. The scenery is beautiful and the snow abundant. Dress warm because when the sun is not out a cold chill catches up with you. Leave a Comment Theme: Skiing/SnowboardingDirections: By train, cogwheel, or lift any of the three ports to the ski runs.
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There are 3 major ski zones : Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn, Gornergrat-Hohtälli-Stockhorn and Schwarzsee-Klein Matterhorn. All three of Zermatt's ski areas soar to at least 3100m. This translates into excellent snow conditions, and long runs to the village (8 to 13km). Not only are the slopes long, but they are open for a long day! Lifts begin operation at 8-8.20am and do not close until 4.30pm in midwinter, while in April it is possible to still be skiing at 6pm! Speaking of long, Zermatt also has the longest winter season in the Alps. All three skiing areas are open from late November to the start of May - and the huge glacier area offers good skiing all through summer too. Leave a Comment Theme: Skiing/Snowboarding
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