Zermatt, A Winter Wonderland
Zermatt
What is the main thing you look for when traveling? I look for a place far from people I know, pushing me outside of my comfort level. It’s important to challenge myself, whether in a new country or remote location around people I don’t know and dialects and languages unfamiliar to me. Traveling is a rewarding and irreplaceable way to experience life differently and see how others live their lives. Though it can be uncomfortable to be in a new place, traveling with someone you are comfortable with makes things much easier which is why I travel with my best friend and girlfriend.
We traveled to Zermatt, Switzerland; a small town with beautiful views and a great atmosphere. Located under the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt is secluded from everything around. After a lengthy and demanding eight-hour flight and a four-hour train ride, I can say the journey is well worth it. To give some background Zermatt is almost entirely self-sufficient, using agriculture and farming to their advantage when they can. The town is focused on health and longevity, trying to preserve the natural beauty of the area. The wildlife thrives in the environment these people have made home, with everything from lush pastures to thick snowfall. They have created a year-round cycle to utilize the seasons to their full potential. In the warmer months, sheep are left to graze on the sides of the mountains, fertilizing the ground for them to grow produce. Also protecting against wildfires, which could cause the loss of protected forests. The sheep dung is used as energy in the biogas plant (which ends up back in the meadows). The sheep are used for meat, fur, wool, and horns. The Blacknose Sheep are highly valued in the town, with the locals guaranteeing to use the whole animal- and see it as their responsibility towards the animal that gives its life for them.
Not only is Zermatt focused on a healthy lifestyle, but also on environmental health. The town is entirely solar-powered and heated by biogas, and is a car-free zone, after banning gas vehicles for environmental concerns. Electric taxis and bicycles are the main form of transportation around town. The only way into Zermatt is by electric-powered train, which is about a four-hour ride from Geneva. Zermatt is the last stop on the train, dropping you right under the Matterhorn mountain. The train ride alone is beautiful, with glass walls, giving you the best views of the mountains along your journey, and itself worth the trip.
When we first arrived in Zermatt, I was stunned by both the crisp winter air and the natural beauty of the town. Hotel Alpenhof where we would be staying was beautiful, sitting across from Matter Vispa, a river through the center of town. My room was quaint, including a balcony with the perfect view of the Matterhorn as well as incorporating many of the characteristics unique to the town such as locally made wool blankets, snacks, and soaps. My first day was spent exploring the town, venturing into the small shops, and enjoying the uniqueness of the area. I planned on snowboarding the following day and rented equipment from a local shop. Having never snowboarded before I spent most of my day falling down the mountain which may I say is not the best place to get adventurous with trying new hobbies since it is one of the premier winter sports locations in the world. After hearing about a bar halfway down the slope I was eager to drink with a spectacular view. After what can only be described as falling down a mountain with a board strapped to my feet I made it and was able to enjoy the view and continued my way down. The following morning was spent enjoying the hotel amenities. Hotel Alpenhof had to offer a dry sauna, an outdoor hot tub, and an indoor swimming pool. They also have a spa, with a masseuse which you can book at any time in your stay. I would also recommend booking as many tours as you can with the hotel because it is owned by one of the premier families in the area and they give tours of their farm and how the town has progressed through decades to become what it is now.
Zermatt is the perfect place to travel to; it has the charm of a small town, with beautiful views and you can find both lively bars and quiet cottages, great slopes and challenging mountain biking courses, Beautiful pastures with stoic sheep and crisp white snow. Yes the journey is long and we found it to be exhausting but the journey is half the fun and the challenge of that journey was well offset by the beauty of Zermatt, the kindness of the people, and the experience.
