After we got snowed out in Livigno we thought our riding vacation was over.
After looking at web cams we found out that the snow didn’t hit Zermatt! We then called Wade Simmons and asked if it was worth a visit. His zealous answer was YOU GOTTA GO! Considering he has spent a few years there riding with Big Mountain Adventures we couldn’t miss out on this opportunity. After 7 hours and 5 transfers on the amazing Swiss bus and train system – SBB, we were in Zermatt.
We were up at the crack of 6:45, thanks damn clock tower, had some breakfast and made the arduous climb up the Gornergrat.
The Gornergrat was built in 1898 as the first and highest electrical cog railway in Switzerland. Climbs from 1620m to 3089m.
Two descending cars create enough electricty to power one ascending car.
Riffelsee in the valley below
Its a pretty scenic ride too!
At the top you can get your picture taken with the St. Bernard – Biscuit!
We didn’t take a picture of Biscuit since he only does that for money!
Dufourspitze Peak – 4634m – Grenzgletscher Glacier – Liskamm Peak – 4527
The top of the Gornergrat. There is a high altitude research station here for astronomy and astrophysics.
We start our first alpine descent of the day!
The Matterhorn forever looms
Liskamm Peak in the back.
We go down.
We start the technical part of the descent!
The small peak in the back with no snow is the Little Matterhorn. At 3899m it is the top of the highest lift in Europe and hosts the longest ski run as well at 13km.
We ride by the tourists at the Riffelsee
Then we head towards Riffelboden
We try a mountain bike suggested route which was mostly road and end up here.
We decide we need to try the Weg der Stille at some point during this trip.
We head right here along Natureweg
We continue down to Moosjise
Another intersection this trail heading up comes from Grindjisee
The small settlement of Findeln, one of the oldest highest hamlets in the area.
We go down a trail that is a thin red line on the map. It was good.
It seems that where ever you ride on the lower trails you’ll end up at this intersection! Go down.
And finish in Zermatt
Zermatt – Gornergrat and Rothorn at EveryTrail
Pretty long video of riding in Zermatt.