The pinnacle of skiing trips: Slaloming in the Swiss Alps

“Fly 10 hours to go skiing when we have the fabulous Deer Valley two

hours away?” my wife Donna Marie asked.

“Yes, but we’ll see Zurich, Cervinia, Evian and Barcelona too,” I

answered.

We had received an invitation to join ski guide extraordinaire Ron

Berlind’s personal ski group on a trip to the real Matterhorn in

Zermatt, Switzerland.

Ron had been inviting us for years, but only now did we have the

freedom as empty nesters to go during the school year. We accepted

the invitation and were rewarded with the best ski trip of our lives.

We flew into Zurich and spent a day shopping on the world-famous

Bahnhofstrasse. We then departed for Zermatt via the very efficient

and clean Swiss railway. The views of the Alps were terrific.

Zermatt is a charming Alpine village town at the base of the

Matterhorn. No cars are allowed in this beautiful ski town, and that

adds to its attractiveness. There are plenty of electric golf cart

taxis to shuttle you between the slopes, restaurants and taverns.

It was a 100-yard walk from the Zermatt train station to the

wonderful, four-star Hotel Schweizerhof, which is in the center of

town. After a fabulous dinner at the Schweizerhof (meals were

included in the cost of the room), we were off to check in with

Berlind’s old friends at the quaint and famous Hexen Bar. We all

called it an early evening in anticipation of a full week of skiing.

To get to the top of the Matterhorn, you have to take trains,

trams and gondolas. The lift capacity from the village to the

mountain may be the best in the world.

It can take nearly an hour to get to the top, but it is worth it.

You can ski (all above the tree line) this famous glacier for more

than an hour in many directions without getting back on a lift. In

fact, we skied to Cervinia, Italy, for 90 minutes, and then enjoyed

the best of Italian Alpine fettuccine and Pinot Grigio (yes, you can

ski to Italy and back without going through customs -- just take your

Euros).

We have always enjoyed skiing some of North America’s finest

resorts, such as Vail or Whistler. But we’ve probably enjoyed eating

on these mountains more. The dining on the slopes of Zermatt is world

class.

A special mention goes out to Zum See, a restaurant situated in a

200-year-old alpine sheepherders lodge. Of course, dining alfresco is

encouraged. The food at Zum See was tremendous and the homemade

strudels were unbelievable.

Since we had a week of blue skies and 40-degree weather, we dined

alfresco at Zum See several times.

As you consider your next season ski trips, Zermatt should be at

the peak of your list.

* WALTER SEBRING is a resident of Corona del Mar.

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