Ski the Toblerone Mountain and ride a crystal-encrusted gondola in Zermatt, Switzerland
THE ROLLS-ROYCE OF GONDOLA
We took the Crystal ride up the 4,478m mountain, one of only four such gondola cabins on the newer Matterhorn glacier ride, which is encrusted with 280,000 Swarovski crystals (inside and outside the cabin) that sparkle in the sunlight.
That nine-minute drive to the highest mountain station in Europe was quite the journey.
It felt like we were driving the Rolls-Royce under the gondolas. Just as the British car manufacturer has its Starlight Headliner starry sky effect on its ceilings, the Crystal Ride cabins also feature a similar Swarovski-enabled “starry sky”. Not surprisingly, then, these cabins were designed by Pininfarina, the renowned Italian design studio that counts many supercar brands, including Ferrari and Maserati, among its prestigious clients.
Don’t forget to look down, however, as the most exciting part of the Crystal Ride is between your feet.
Three minutes into the ride, the previously opaque glass floor clears within seconds, revealing a dramatic view of the glacial landscape. This effect is made possible by an actively laminated pane of glass that changes color from milky white to transparent when exposed to an electric current. It’s a spectacular sight, but definitely not for the faint-hearted or afraid of heights. And if you’re afraid of heights, you probably shouldn’t even attempt to climb this wonderful mountain.
EUROPE’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN STATION
The Matterhorn may be Zermatt’s most celebratory attraction, but there are plenty of non-skiing activities too. Spring and summer from March to August, for example, are ideal for mountain biking and hiking in the fresh alpine air. Plus a wealth of excursions and attractions such as the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where you’ll also find the nearby Glacier Palace, which features ice sculptures in a crevasse.
During your stay, stop by for a raclette or a raclette at “En Güete”, the highest mountain restaurant in the world at an amazing 3883 m hash browns.
Enjoy the impressive view of the snow-capped peaks all around from Europe’s highest mountain station while enjoying a swing a 360 degree panorama of all in all 38 four-thousanders and 14 glaciers in three countries: Switzerland, Italy and France.