Changes at Zermatt

Tue 07 October 08

New snowmaking system with can produce snow at high temperatures, the much needed Glacier restaurant should be open at the top of the Matterhorn glacier paradise but best of all the new Stockhorn t-bar will open up some cool freeriding terrain

“Glacier restaurant” on the Matterhorn glacier paradise

The “Glacier restaurant”, with seating for up to 120 people, good sanitary facilities, accommodation for 40 alpinists and a "Peak Gate" vantage window facing the Breithorn mountain will open for the winter season 2008.

The “Glacier restaurant” and the alpinists’ accommodation will comply with the Minergie P standard (the highest energy standard). A special sewage treatment facility, the highest in the Alps, will ensure waste water is purified in an environmentally friendly way.

The entire front of the building will be equipped with solar panels, which at this altitude generate almost twice as much energy as systems with a similar surface area in lowlands areas. Solar energy will be stored and used for heating the building, which means that there will not be any external energy supply required.

“Snowmaker” – the snow machine marvel

For the benefit of people visiting Zermatt for snow sports, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG has bought the first snow machine in the world that can produce snow in temperatures above zero (up to 30 degrees Celsius). The machine will be used on a section measuring 300 metres, near the Trockener Steg station, where the ice front of the Theodul glacier has retreated. This machine is of particular value for our all-year snow region, because it can be used from the end of September for ski tests.

The Snowmaker produces large quantities of snow; 950 m3 a day, without the use of chemicals and whatever the temperature. The first artificial snow test was carried out to the east of Netanya in Israel in the middle of June in temperatures of over 30° C.

Stockhorn ski lift

Stockhorn, a restored mountain station at an altitude of 3405 metres, can now be reached with a new ski lift. To the rear, the Dufourspitze, the highest peak in Switzerland: in one fell swoop free riders can congregate to conquer the area, which Zermatt Bergbahnen AG has made accessible once again after the closure of the Hohtälli-Stockhorn cable railway, thus giving experts and hopefuls perfect slope enjoyment in the Triftji/Stockhorn area.

With the new lift, the free ride area from Hohtälli or Rote Nase is completely accessible again.

 

Related Pages

• Hinterglemm gets new gondola for 2010/11
  The t-bar that services the terrain park in Hinterglemm village is being replaced by a Gondola, and the whole park area to be expanded and re-organised -29Aug10
• Silverton Mountain increases lift capacity
  No new lift, but they've squeezed an extra 50% more chairs onto the only chairlift for the 2010/11 season. -18Aug10
• Huge August Snowfall in Swiss Alps, Argentina & NZ
  Powder alarms for Cervinia, Saas Fee and Zermatt with up to 45cm of snow in 24 hours. Burton New Zealand Open Halfpipe finals in New Zealand. Snow keeps falling in Australia. Up to a foot (30cm) of new snow in Argentina. Mt Hutt, New Zealand Snow Depth hits Two Metres after 19cm Fall So Far Today. -18Aug10
• Ischgl spends EUR8million on new lift for 2010/11
  The new eight-million euro Lange Wand chairlift will run from the Höllenkar Valley, a little above the Höllboden restaurant, up to the Greitspitz, Ischgl's top station at 2,872-metres -17Jul10
• US$4m spending at Whitetail for 2010/11
  New 1800ft beginner trail, improved snowmaking and a new grooming machine top the list of improvements for 2010/11 at Whitetail in Pennsylvania, USA -29Jun10

Related categories

:: Zermatt stories
:: Resort improvements stories

Zermatt, Switzerland

Related pages

• Zermatt
• Swiss summer glaciers

Main headlines

• Davos offering free early season lift pass -31Aug10
• The Fins finish the Junior World Champs in style -31Aug10
• Hinterglemm gets new gondola for 2010/11 -29Aug10
• Westbeach Snowflex Series Halifax Results -25Aug10
• Junior Snowboard Halfpipe World Champions Crowned -25Aug10