Zermatt has always been a fertile environment in which visionary projects and pioneering spirit have been able to flourish, and the village continues to be a cauldron of ideas today. One such is the vision of the Alpine Crossing.
The construction of the highest 3S cableway in the world on the Matterhorn glacier paradise (Klein Matterhorn) is just the beginning of a much bigger vision: a continuous cableway connection between Zermatt and Italy. An Alpine Crossing. This will be made possible by the addition of another structurally similar 3S cableway between Testa Grigia and the Matterhorn glacier paradise. By the autumn of 2022 it should be possible for visitors to travel all the way from Zermatt to Cervinia or vice versa without having to battle the elements.
The Alpine Crossing project focuses fully on the Matterhorn glacier paradise as a tourist destination. The highest mountain station in Europe and the attractions associated with it already enjoy great popularity. Over 400,000 visitors come to the Klein Matterhorn every year. Now, this unique peak is set to become easily accessible to visitors coming from Italy as well. At the moment the journey from Breuil-Cervinia to the Matterhorn glacier paradise can only be made on skis or a snowboard. Visitors have to travel from Cervinia to Testa Grigia by cableway, then strap on their sports equipment and set off for the descent towards Trockener Steg. From there, the Matterhorn glacier ride takes them to the peak.
The Alpine Crossing cableway project aims to create a link between Testa Grigia and the Matterhorn glacier paradise. When the section is open, pedestrians will be able to reach the Klein Matterhorn from the Italian side in comfort. There will even be wheelchair access along the whole connection from Breuil-Cervinia to Zermatt via the Matterhorn glacier paradise. The Alpine Crossing will not only provide added value for visitors holidaying in Cervinia. Zermatt Bergbahnen AG is thinking ahead.
For people travelling through Europe, the new cableway connection opens up whole new route-planning opportunities. For example, from the airport in Milan you could take the train and bus through the idyllic Aosta Valley to Breuil-Cervinia, where you can rest and relax after a tiring flight. Next day, take the cableway and settle down for the spectacular trip across the Alps. Bulky luggage is brought straight to the accommodation you have booked in Zermatt, so you don’t have to worry about that. At an altitude of almost 4000 metres above sea level – on the Matterhorn glacier paradise – there’s time for a short stop. The sight of the 38 four-thousanders from the viewing platform is enough to take anyone’s breath away. The Restaurant Matterhorn glacier paradise offers refreshment and there are further activities to enjoy in the form of the Glacier Palace and Cinema Lounge. Then take the Matterhorn glacier ride and Matterhorn Express down into Zermatt village. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, you’re free to enjoy gourmet cuisine, shopping, hiking, biking and skiing. With so much on offer, Zermatt really merits a stay of several days. And when it’s time to move on, just hop on the train to Visp and follow your nose to Paris, or wherever.
Milan, Zermatt, Paris – a special kind of journey, and one sure to linger in the memory.