The mountain village of Zermatt is one of the great ski and climbing centres of the world. Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, it is dominated by the huge and graceful pyramid of the Matterhorn.
From the moment you step off your Swiss-red train and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs patiently waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place.
What strikes me most often is the silence. There are no cars here. This immediately creates a welcoming atmosphere. The air is fresh and crisp. But more than this, you immediately feel a part of the village. It draws you in. Most everyone is on foot, locals and visitors alike.
The main street bustles happily with pedestrians. There are no impersonal tour buses belching out noise, fumes, and package tourists. Zermatt is no auto through-route. The train stops here. All journeys on from here are on foot or ski. Everyone is here because they love mountains. Walking through the cobbled paths of town, between the ancient sunburnt barns and chalets, you catch your first glimpse of the Matterhorn and know you have come to the right place. Welcome to Zermatt...