At the annual media event of Switzerland Tourism, I am one of the 137 international journalists from 33 countries in the charming town of Zermatt, which boasts the majestic Matterhorn peak, the last of the Alpine peaks to be conquered 149 years ago.

It is still summer and this year the tourism authority is showcasing the Alpine peaks and winter tourism and telling the world that you don’t have to be expert mountaineers to scale these peaks, or at least get close to them.

To allow tourists to enjoy the breathtaking views in the spectacular valleys and peaks in its famous Valais canton, breathe in the rejuvenating air and treat their senses to breathtaking beauty of the Alps at almost their highest, Switzerland operates in summer a network of some 670 ski lifts and cable cars to reach visitors to these heavenly spots.

The country offers a choice of 100 of its most beautiful peaks that can be reached by mountain rail, funicular or on foot… it even has a double decker cable car!

Zermatt is a charming little town with a population of barely 5,000 but sees overnight stays of some 2.2 million tourists a year.

Petrol-free town

A train ride from Zurich airport brings us to the town; the first thing that strikes you is the unusual and charming train station, nestling at the foot of the Alps. The reason for the extremely fresh and clean air becomes evident soon… there isn’t a single petrol or diesel operated vehicle in the little town. At the station, along with battery operated vehicles, horse drawn carriages wait to transfer visitors to their hotels located along and around the single main street. Even the buses are battery operated.

Petroleum vehicles are allowed only during medical emergencies or can be used by the police. Twice a year, and only for two weeks, big trucks carrying construction material are allowed into the town.

There are five of us from India; we choose a restaurant for lunch and are bowled over by the quality of the food. It’s nothing less than a gourmet experience at a random restaurant… whether it is the Chicken with rosemary, Pork with potatoes, the Rosti- a traditional Swiss dish made of potatoes and cheese – the Risotto, Pasta with meat balls (after all this region borders Italy), everything is a delicacy, and the local beer is perfect to wash it all down with. In true Indian style, we share everything!

The Valais canton extends from the Rhone Glacier to the shores of the Lake of Geneva and is the largest wine making region in Switzerland. Zermatt being a holiday resort destination has 200 hotels, all privately owned by families.

“There isn’t a single hotel chain – Hilton, Hyatt, etc here -; the service is so personal as these are smaller hotels that they get repeat visitors for several generations,” says Alfonso Llopart, Manager, Switzerland Tourism.

Switzerland is proud of the magnificent mountain peaks this country, most famous for its Alps and chocolates, is home to. It has 48 mountain summits soaring above 4,000 metres, and Valais has 45 of these.

Of these, the craggy and most challenging is Matterhorn, at a height of 4,478 metres and on the border between Italy and Switzerland. It had remained unscaled till July 14, 1865, when a group of English mountaineers led by the British explorer Edward Whymper conquered it at the seventh attempt, but with tragic consequences. It was scaled at 1.16 pm and as time was running out they had to make a hasty descent and tragedy struck with four members of the group falling to their death 300 metres below the summit. Incidentally, Mount Everest rises to 8,848 metres.

The eyes of all visitors to Zermatt are glued to the skies towards the majestic Matterhorn peak. Of course the clouds tease you all the time and with one of our two days in Zermatt being taken over by clouds, a complete darshan eludes us despite taking the Matterhorn Glacial Paradise ride on the cable car, reaching a height of 3,883 metres.

But it is an experience to cherish; it starts snowing.. in summer mind you… the wind howls and the temperature drops, the air is so fresh, that you run for cover but only reluctantly.

(to be continued)

The writer is in Switzerland on an invitation from Switzerland Tourism.

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