Sales Manual Zermatt Bergbahnen

ZERMATT BERGBAHNEN AG.
Stellisee, 2,537 m above sea level / 8,323 feet
Discover the Matterhorn paradise with us.
matterhornparadise.ch
MATTERHORN
ZERMATT BERGBAHNEN
About us
Zermatt Bergbahnen AG
Zermatt Bergbahnen AG is a cableway company – the largest
of its kind in Switzerland. It offers winter sports enthusiasts and
tourists breathtaking excursions to some of the highest, most
impressive destinations in Europe.
Content
The Matterhorn & Zermatt
Our transportation facilities
Matterhorn glacier paradise
Unique experiences
More than just one peak
A wonderful day trip
Romance & Folklore
Other activities
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The Matterhorn and Zermatt
The Matterhorn – most enthralling of Alpine peaks
There are many imposing and celebrated peaks in the Alps,
but none inspires greater fascination than the Matterhorn. It is
often called the “king of the mountains”, not so much for its
imposing height of 4,478 metres, but rather its sheer grandeur.
The unique shape of the Matterhorn endows it with a mystique
unrivalled in the Alps. The mountain casts its spell through
reflected sunlight and catches the heart off guard with unexpected longings.
Zermatt – an earthly paradise
The village of Zermatt, with its 5,600 inhabitants, is situated 1,620
metres above sea level and surrounded by no less than 38
four-thousand-metre peaks. The Matterhorn ski paradise is not
only the Alpine region’s highest skiing area, but also the best
developed in the world, open 365 days a year. All year round,
mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers come from across the
world to visit this relaxing, car-free holiday destination.
How to get there
Zermatt lies at the end of the Matter valley, also called the
Nikolai valley, which stretches for 30 km to the Italian border of
the canton of Valais in western Switzerland, at the foot of the
Matterhorn, the world’s most-photographed mountain.
Zermatt is within easy reach of the international airports of
Zurich, Geneva and Milan:
Journey time
Zurich airport – Zermatt
Geneva airport – Zermatt
Milan airport – Zermatt
Interlaken - Zermatt
By rail
3.5 hrs
3.5 hrs
4.0 hrs
2.0 hrs
By coach
3.5 hrs
3.0 hrs
3.5 hrs
2.5 hrs
The Zermatt area, with its flora and fauna, is a natural paradise.
Over 1,000 alpine flowers, many of them protected species
such as edelweiss, are waiting to be discovered along the way.
The well-signposted network of hiking trails around Zermatt
extends over 400 km, through forests of stone pine to idyllic
mountain lakes and imposing glaciers. On these tracks, ramblers encounter marmots, chamois, ibexes and deers, while
eagles circle high overhead.
Zermatt is investing
Shaping the future
Since 2002, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG has invested a total of
CHF 367 million. The main goal of this expenditure was to
ensure complete safety for visitors, day in day out. Another
goal was to increase the number of rides available, so that you
can enjoy Zermatt with the added comfort of short waiting
times. The high level of investment was worth it: we now have
exceptionally good access to the skiing and hiking area, and we
take pride in the safety of our equipment, which is all in flawless
condition.
New cableways Trockener Steg - Matterhorn glacier paradise
and Matterhorn glacier paradise - Testa Grigia
As the next large lift project for 2016, construction start of a
new 3S cableway parallel to the current cableway Trockener
Steg - Matterhorn glacier paradise is planned.
In addition, a new link between Matterhorn glacier paradise and
Testa Grigia is planned, so summer guests will be able to travel
from Zermatt to Cervinia (Italy). This represents a new travel
route from Switzerland to Italy, particularily to Milan.
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Our transportation facilities
1 Matterhorn-Express
VIP gondola
2 Cableway
Zermatt – Trockener Steg, 21 min.
Riding the comfortable 8-seat gondola,
which carries 2,800 passengers per hour,
guests ascend over Furi and Schwarzsee
to a height of 2,939 meters above sea
level.
Ready for something extraordinary?
On the section of the Matterhorn-Express
from Zermatt to Trockener Steg, we offer
you the possibility to glide toward the
Matterhorn seated in classy chairs…
Find more information on this offer on
page 9.
Trockener Steg –
Matterhorn glacier paradise, 8.2 min.
With cable cars for 100 passengers, the
cableway of superlatives floats above the
eternal ice and carries guests to a height
of 3,883 meters above sea level (12,739
feet).
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Good to know:
Since its merger in 2002, the Zermatt
Bergbahnen AG is the biggest cable car
company in Switzerland, with an offering
that attracts sports enthusiasts and
holiday-makers from all over the world.
The most popular excursion in Zermatt is
the Matterhorn glacier paradise, which is
the highest situated cable car station in
Europe.
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Useful Information:
Total travelling time to Matterhorn glacier
paradise:
45 minutes (including connections)
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Total travelling time to Rothorn:
35 minutes (including connections)
Opening hours:
Matterhorn glacier paradise
beginning of May – mid October,
8.30 am – 4.30 pm
Sunnegga / Rothorn
end of May – mid October,
8.00 am – 4.40 pm
3 Funicular
4 Gondola
5 Cableway
Zermatt – Sunnegga, 4.5 min.
The underground funicular carries 2,600
passengers per hour, quickly taking
guests to Zermatt‘s popular sun terrace.
Sunnegga – Blauherd, 7 min.
Carrying 2,220 passengers per hour, the
8-seat gondola offers a superb view of
the Matterhorn as it carries guests up to
Blauherd.
Blauherd – Rothorn, 3.5 min.
Soaring up to 3,103 meters, cable cars for
150 passengers carry guests to the spot
with the most spectacular view of the
Matterhorn.
Matterhorn glacier paradise, 3,883 masl / 12,739 ft
Europe’s highest mountain cableway
A trip to the Matterhorn glacier paradise is truely the highest
mountain excursion, that you can do in the Alps. Enjoy at 3‘883
metres above sea level the breathtaking mountain scenery, with
its glaciers and eternal snow.
Highest panorama platform in the Alps
An elevator to the summit, built into the rock, brings guests
to the highest viewing platform in the Alps. The breathtaking
360° panorama, with a view of numerous alpine giants, leaves
an enduring impression on all who see it. From the panorama
platform the four-thousand-metre peaks of the French, Italian
and Swiss Alps reveal themselves – including the Jungfrau in all
its splendour.
The world’s highest Glacier Palace
Discover the icy, mystic realms of the world‘s highest situated
Glacier Palace. Elevators bring visitors to the Palace,
keeping their feet dry as they descend 15 metres below the
surface of the eternal ice. A wonder of the natural world awaits:
bizarre ice formations, glittering ice crystals, impressive ice
sculptures, a crevasse you can walk through and a thrilling
ice slide – an experience that will make any heart beat faster.
Seats covered in hides are provided so that visitors can rest and
take in the magic of the Glacier Palace at their leisure.
Entertainment corner
From summer 2014 there will be a brand-new entertainment
corner next to the Breithorn panorama window. There, you can
watch a 15-minutes movie free of charge.
Breithorn panorama window
At the top, in the middle of the mountain, a panorama window
hewn from the rock affords awesome inspiring views towards
the Breithorn (4,165 masl). Watch roped climbers making their
way to the summit. Above the flanks of the Theodul Glacier,
large black Alpine choughs circle in the freezing wind. Amateur
photographers will also be in their element with good photo
points especially marked for them.
Eat and shop on the top
Since December 2013, the Zermatt Bergbahnen AG offers its
guests a newly renovated restaurant at the top. The restaurant
serves a wide choice of group menues including also Asian and
Indian dishes. In the newly designed MATTERHORN Peak shop
you will have no trouble in finding a spectacular souvenir for
yourself or your beloved back home.
If you have not had enough peak experience, it is also possible
to spend the night in our 40-beds-lodge at 3‘883 masl. The
lodge offers also an unique conference room for 70 people,
which is fully equipped with modern technical equipment.
Definitely the highest meeting, that you ever attended.
Snow tubing
Gliding down a snow-covered hill in an inflated circular tube
- that‘s snow tubing, a fun activity for visitors of all ages. Get
yourself a snow tube for free at the top and enjoy a thrilling
downhill run. This activity is only available in summer time.
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Magic moments at Matterhorn glacier paradise
1 Europe’s highest cablecar
2 Panorama platform
3,883 above sea level
3 Breithorn panorama window
4 Touch snow and
Snow tubing possibility
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5 Restaurant at the top*
* recently renovated in December 2013
6 Peak shop*
7 Glacier Palace
8 Brand-new: Entertainment
corner (from summer 2014)
BE OUR VIP.
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Unique experiences.
VIP Gondola
Riding in the VIP gondola, towards the Matterhorn, definitely is
an experience, that you should not miss.
At the base station you are escorted to the VIP gondola, where
dignified seating awaits you. During the ride, tasteful music is
playing, a bottle of champagne is yours, and you can relax prior
to your new adventures at Trockener Steg.
Our VIP-package includes:
• A one-way ride in the VIP gondola from Zermatt to Trockener
Steg or from Trockener Steg to Zermatt, including 1 bottle of
champagne, costs CHF 100*
• A round-trip ride in the VIP gondola from Zermatt to Trockener Steg and back, including 1 bottle of champagne, costs
CHF 200*
* Price per gondola. The guest must possess a valid ticket/pass.
Reservations at least by the day before, at Zermatt Bergbahnen
AG or direct at Trockener Steg.
Audio system
The cable cars and gondolas linking Zermatt and Matterhorn
glacier paradise are equipped with an audio system. During
the ride from the valley to the highest cable car station in Europe, you will hear background information about the history
of the cableways, the services available at the peak and the
fascinating mountain world of Zermatt. Interested passengers
will be provided with headphones for the journey, which lasts 45
minutes in both directions.
The language options available are: Chinese, English, French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish.
And that’s how it works: The headsets are programmed with the
selected language and provided free of charge at the bottom
station of Matterhorn glacier paradise. A form with the particulars, the number of passport as well as the credit card details
must be filled out and handed in at the sales point.
For groups only one form needs to be filled out by the tourleader. A total of 80 headphones are available at our sales point.
Groups should book in advance to ensure that headsets with the
chosen language are ready for them.
MORE THAN JUST ONE PEAK.
Besides the excursion to Matterhorn glacier paradise, the Zermatt Bergbahnen AG offers many other exciting excursion possibilities:
Schwarzsee, 2,583 masl*
The Matterhorn in touching distance
In just 12 minutes, the Matterhorn-Express takes guests from the
Matterhorn glacier paradise bottom station to Schwarzsee at
the foot of the Matterhorn.
At Schwarzsee, there is a restaurant with an inviting sun terrace
which offers a fantastic panoramic view of Zermatt’s mountain
world. The visit to Schwarzsee is a unique and unforgettable
experience. Schwarzsee is an idyllic mountain lake, with a small
chapel. From here, you can see the majestic Matterhorn from
close up. The lake is just a few minutes on foot from the station.
This is the starting point for several interesting themed hiking
trials, such as the Matterhorn Trail and the Larch Trail.
* 8,474 feet
Trockener Steg, 2,939 masl**
Allow the restaurants to delight you
After the impressive ride with the Matterhorn-Express the guests
arrive at Trockener Steg station – an ideal place for a break
before the ascent high up to Matterhorn glacier paradise. From
Trockener Steg one enjoys a magnificent view of the east face
of the Matterhorn, with Theodulsee in the foreground and the
glacier tongues beginning just beyond. At Trockener Steg is
“restaurant ice”, with its inviting shop, open year-round. The
restaurant “Ice Buffet & Bar” delights guests in winter and spring
at times when the cableway Trockener Steg - Matterhorn
glacier paradise is under maintenance.
** 9,642 feet
matterhornparadise.ch
TOUCH THE
MATTERHORN.
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BEST VIEW OF THE
MATTERHORN.
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Sunnegga, 2,288 masl*
Rothorn, 3,103 masl**
The sunny corner of Zermatt
From the train station you will reach the Sunnegga-Rothorn
bottom station by foot in 5 minutes. Taking the underground
funicular, in just four and a half minutes you will ascend to 2,288
metres above sea level and arrive at Sunnegga, the “sunny
corner” of Zermatt. From the spacious sun terrace of the restaurant, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Matterhorn.
The best view of the Matterhorn
The Rothorn is easily reached from Sunnegga in just 15 minutes.
From here, you can see the Matterhorn from its most photogenic
side. An added attraction is that you see all 38 four-thousandmetre peaks that surround Zermatt. A special item of interest
up here is the “Peak Collection” exhibition around the pleasant
restaurant Rothorn. You can also find themed paths about marmots, alpine flowers and the mountain world of Zermatt.
It is worth to get up early and enjoy this magnificent view at
sunrise! (Find more information on this offer on page 16)
A Family’s paradise
At Leisee you can take a break from everyday life. There you will
find a marvellous playground with camp fire areas. Leisee can be
easily reached by foot from Sunnegga in about five minutes or
by the self-serviced Leisee-Shuttle.
For your way back, you can also take the Kick-bike scooter
and speed via Tuftern to Zermatt. A wayside stop at one of the
attractive restaurants is almost compulsory. Kick-bikes can be
rented at the Sunnegga bottom station, including a helmet. The
ultimate challenge for the adventurous!
* 7,506 feet
Zermatt’s most beautiful mountain lake
The Stellisee at 2,537 metres above sea level is the most-photographed lake in Zermatt. For sure, you have already marvelled
yourself at a photo of the Stellisee, capturing the fascinating
reflection of the Matterhorn. From Blauherd, you can reach the
idyllic Stellisee in about 20 minutes.
The famous flower trail also starts at Blauherd. This unique hike
offers an unparalleled diversity of flowering plants. Your excursion can be ideally combined with a break at Stellisee or the
sunrise ride.
** 10,180 feet
A WONDERFUL
DAY TRIP.
Check-in at Matterhorn-Express
valley station, 8.30 am
Welcome to a fascinating excursion of contrasts.
Matterhorn glacier paradise, 9.10 am
Discover the fascinating view from the
Breithorn panorama window, the viewing platform with a vista of thirty-eight
4000-meter peaks, the mystic Glacier
Palace with ice slide and trail through a
glacier crevice, and round out your trip
with a visit to the recently renovated
restaurant with integrated Peak-Shop.
Schwarzsee, 8.45 am
Passing by the idyllic Schwarzsee
with its mystic chapel, you are carried up to Trockener Steg. There
you board Europe‘s highest cableway, which is equipped with a new
audio-system.
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Discover Sunnegga 3.45 pm
Take the Leisee-Shuttle from Sunnegga to the lake and enjoy the
fabulous view of the Matterhorn.
Walk to Stellisee, 2.15 pm
From Blauherd it‘s a pleasant stroll
to Zermatt‘s most-photographed
mountain lake.
MGP to Rothorn, 12.00 am
Leaving the everlasting ice, you
descend to Zermatt, and via
Sunnegga station ascend the
towering Rothorn.
Insider Tip! For this day trip, we strongly recommend you to buy a Panoramic Pass: This pass
is available for one or two days and includes
the excursion to Matterhorn glacier paradise /
Schwarzsee and Sunnegga / Rothorn. Entrance at
the glacier Palace is also included.
Rothorn peak, 1.40 pm
Marvel at the world‘s highest art
exhibit, and relax and recharge
at the comfortable Restaurant
Rothorn.
ROMANCE &
FOLKLORE
Rothorn sunrise
An unforgettable blaze of colour against the backdrop of the
magnificent panorama makes the sunrise, viewed from the
Rothorn, a unique experience. The package includes a single
or return ticket from Zermatt to the summit of the Rothorn and
a sumptuous alpine breakfast buffet in the cosy Restaurant
Rothorn.
Folklore Evening on Sunnegga
Tempted by an unforgettable culinary experience? Restaurant
Sunnegga, at 2,288 metres above sea level, serves the traditional
Valais raclette and all-you-can-eat buffet with a special side dish
– a unique panorama of four-thousand-metre peaks.
Enjoy a traditional Swiss evening with a view of the magnificent
Matterhorn. The Sunnegga Express will whisk you in only 4.5
minutes to the spectacular setting of Restaurant Sunnegga.
Relax on the terrace with an aperitif and take in the stunning
mountain scenery, with the sonorous tones of the alphorn as
background music. You may even get a few notes out of this
wilful Swiss instrument yourself.
After the aperitif, indulge in a buffet with dried meat, salad,
soup, raclette and fish, while a group of traditional folk musicians will provide an authentic soundtrack. During meal, the sunset will turn the surrounding mountain peaks, glaciers and alpine
pastures into a breathtaking display of colour. After the sweet
finale of a delicate fruit salad, take a last lingering look at the
sublime mountain scenery before returning to Zermatt by night.
Insider Tip! A folklore evening at Sunnegga will perfectly round
off your trip with the Glacier Express. You return to Zermatt
in the afternoon and move into your hotel room. Then you will
have time to get to know the village of Zermatt. Afterwards,
it’s time to go up to Sunnegga, where you will experience an
evening of Swiss tradition and charm – with a splendid view of
the Matterhorn.
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OTHER ACTIVITIES
Shopping
Zermatt‘s first attractions are the skiing, the hiking or just looking at the majestic Matterhorn, but you will also be tempted
by the numerous shops. The shopping opportunities in the
exclusive boutiques along the main street offer a vast array of
souvenirs. From the finest in Swiss watches to the classic Swiss
army knife, you will have no trouble finding an authentic souvenir for yourself or someone back home. And of course, you can
buy Swiss chocolate everywhere. Besides, you will also find the
latest in top sports equipment and fashion complimented with
expert advice (f.ex. Bogner, Jack Wolfskin, Armani, Luis Vuitton)
Most shops in Zermatt open at 8.00 or 9.00 am, close for lunch
from 12.00 am until 2.00 pm and are again open until 7.00 pm.
Almost all shops are open on Sundays too.
If you are up for souvenir shopping, you should not miss the
MATTERHORN Peak shop at Matterhorn glacier paradise. This
new shop offers you exclusive peak-souvenirs on 3,883 metres
above sea level, as for example the Altissima©, a wine that ages
in oak barrels in the world‘s highest Glacier Palace.
2883
Eja
Skiing - even in summer
Skiing and snowboarding the whole year through, 365 days of
snow - that‘s something you get only in Zermatt. The resort
has the exclusive offer of skiing during the summer heat. The
Matterhorn glacier paradise is Europe‘s highest and largest
summer snow sports area, an Eldorado for ski and snowboard
enthusiasts and a must for all who want to experience the thrill
of winter sports at the height of summer.
Depending on snow conditions, over 21 km of pistes are available. Gravity Park offers fun for snowboarders and free-skiers
alike, with a superpipe, rails, jumps and a range of obstacles.
The park will be open new also in May in June. A fabulous natural arena for the young and the young at heart.
In winter, 360 km of pistes attract all levels of ability. You can ski
and snowboard freely across the frontier between Switzerland
and Italy, something that no other resort can offer.
WELCOME TO
MATTERHORN SKI PARADISE
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ZERMATT BERGBAHNEN AG
Postfach 378, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland, +41 (0)27 966 01 01
[email protected], www.matterhornparadise.ch
Edition 2014.
SEE YOU
IN ZERMATT.