Zermatt, Blauherd The Sunnegga express is also your base camp to higher altitude skiing in this frame of the total Zermatt picture. From this point most skiers will surely try the skiing from the Blauherd, at 2,500m. A four-person gondola will be your transport to this region, and besides being the arrival point from the National lifts, it is also a good option to some of the middle and more difficult runs in the area. One of the more popular is the moderately difficult Standard run back to Sunnegga. From Blauherd the Paradise run to Findeln is sunny and fairly difficult. In springtime local skiers leave this run until lunchtime, ski it then, and enjoy lunch in Findeln. The reason? It is mostly hard packed in the morning at that time of year and best left until the snow softens a bit. Again, from Blauherd, one can match wits with the difficult National slope to the bottom of the lift bearing the same name. This is one of the most attractive runs for good skiers, and because of its shelter from the forest in the second half, it is even possible to ski the during bad visibility conditions. The National is a classic black piste and presents quite a challenge. An easier option is the Tuftern piste from Blauherd to Tufternalp and then back to the Patrullen (National) lift. This run is interesting because of the old wooden animal huts and a nice restaurant on the way down. From Blauherd, skiers can catch the gondelbahn down to Gant. In April this is often the best option to reach the Platte and Triftji T-bars, where you will surely find the best late season snow conditions on very difficult slopes. At the bottom of the Platte lift there is a restaurant with a great sun terrace and from the Triftji T bar you can make the link to the Gornergrat ski area. And, as the saying goes, the fun has just begun. Activelifestyle Tools Printer-Friendly Version E-Mail This Story Reader Comments Powered by

From the Baluherd be sure to catch the exciting, new, one hundred and fifty-person cable car to the Rothorn at 3,100 meters. The first treat here is the view from the new restaurant, where you will surely marvel at the view of more than 29 mountain peaks, all above 4,000 meters in height. In fact, this writer does not hesitate to recommend this as one of the very best views in Zermatt. Also worthy of note is that this is a very popular paragliding starting point. From here it is possible to get a "taxi ride" in a tandem chute over the mountains back to Zermatt.

The Rothorn is also the starting and lookout point over many varied runs, which, thanks to the altitude and the fact that they are north facing, hold good snow conditions well into spring. Directly left, for example from this point is the Schneehuhn (snowbird) piste to the Kummenlift a three person, high speed chair lift that takes you back up to Rothorn.

From the Schneehuhn there are two interesting runs for skilled skiers, the Chamois and the Marmotte. These are off piste runs and are neither patrolled nor prepared. Depending upon many factors the snow conditions can run from perfect to very difficult, and only the best skiers should venture forth.

Also possible and recommended from the Rothorn is the moderately difficult Kummenpiste. To reach this, go straight ahead a bit from the lift and then take a left turn. This too will take you back to the Kummenlift. Another highly interesting possibility is the "grosse kumme". This bypasses the Kummenlift and leads all the way to Tufternalp and then to the Patrullarven (National) lift. For the most part this is a moderate ski run except for one short steep part. If you take the obvious shortcut here, you will see a special, challenging section that will delight good skiers, especially if they enjoy steep, bumpy rides. 

Once again starting from the Rothorn, a right turn will take you to the Rotweng, a comfortable intermediate run that most skiers can navigate. This is a sunny, friendly run that takes you back to Blauherd. Halfway down the Roteweng take a left turn and you will be able to ski to Fluhalp hut a nice stopping point with a very special atmosphere along the trail that leads to Gant.

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