Zermatt Inside 2021 - 2 - English Translation and Summary

Summary of significant articles

In 2021, Zermatt is commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lucy Walker's 1871 ascent of the Matterhorn, the first by a woman.
A key feature of the celebration is the new museum exhibition "NEW PERSPECTIVES," which focuses on the role of women in Zermatt, both historically and today.
The anniversary is being marked by a large street art mural of Lucy Walker by artist Jasm One, and is part of a wider "100% Women" tourism campaign promoting female-led experiences.
Events and activities throughout the summer and autumn seasons are planned to highlight alpinism and the role of women from historical, social, and athletic perspectives.

Zermatt's avalanche safety relies on daily risk assessments from three experienced observers, which are communicated to the municipality and infrastructure operators.
A formal, multi-phase emergency plan (NIPL) dictates the response, escalating from precautionary trail closures to the activation of a full community command staff.
A major event in January 2021 required the rapid closure of roads and ordering residents in red-zone areas to shelter in place.
The article stresses that violating closures is dangerous and can lead to costly consequences, as rescue teams must risk their own lives for violators.

A CHF 5.62 million project is planned to address recurring landslides and avalanches from the Lüegelbach stream, which threaten the main road into Zermatt.
The chosen solution involves relocating the stream's channel and constructing a large earthen dam to deflect avalanches away from an industrial area and the railway.
Because the project impacts nationally protected dry meadows, it required extensive environmental assessments and includes mandatory ecological replacement measures.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2022 and be completed by autumn 2024, with financial support from the canton and federal government.

The FEA Zermatt association now operates five childcare facilities, creating a comprehensive network for children from 3 months to 12 years old.
The network offers a mix of programs, including some with fixed schedules and others with flexible booking options to accommodate parents' variable work shifts in the tourism industry.
Two facilities, "Marzipan" and "Puderzucker", have moved into a new, larger location, increasing their capacity.
Future plans include consolidating the daycare centers into the new "Niww Walka" school building upon its completion to further streamline services.

The Matterhorn Group AG (MGAG) experienced a nearly 30% drop in revenue in the 2019/20 fiscal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns.
Management responded with aggressive cost-saving measures, including keeping the Riffelhaus 1853 hotel and Buffet & Bar Riffelberg closed for the summer season.
Through cost reductions of approximately CHF 9.7 million, primarily in personnel aided by short-time work schemes, the company compensated for 91% of its revenue loss.
Despite the significant downturn, the group was still able to pay a lease of CHF 5.1 million to its owner, the Burgergemeinde Zermatt.

Zermatt's destination strategy group, comprising nine key institutions and municipalities, has been instrumental in coordinating a unified response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group facilitated consistent policies on safety measures and communication, ensuring the destination acted as a single, coherent entity.
Learnings from the unique 2020 summer season were used to plan for future improvements in guest flow management, ticketing, and partner collaboration.
The group affirmed its commitment to maintaining the full ski and service offerings until the end of the season, as long as federal regulations permit.

Construction has resumed on the Matterhorn glacier ride II, the final lift in the "AlpineX" project that will create a year-round cable car crossing between Zermatt and Cervinia, Italy.
The project is envisioned as more than just a transport link, aiming to be a seamless high-alpine journey with integrated experiences at each station.
Future attractions will be developed along the route, including a snow and ice themed world at Testa Grigia, complementing the existing Glacier Palace at Klein Matterhorn.
The new 3S cableway will feature cabins with glass floors, offering passengers a unique view of the glacier landscape below.

The primary duties of Zermatt's piste patrollers involve both accident prevention and emergency response.
Their day begins before the lifts open with piste control, avalanche blasting, and securing the ski area.
When an accident occurs, they are the first responders, tasked with securing the scene, providing first aid, and determining if a helicopter evacuation is needed.
The role is physically and mentally demanding, requiring strong skiing ability, medical training, and the capacity to remain calm and professional in high-stress situations.

The Theodul Pass has been a significant alpine crossing since prehistoric times, with evidence of use by the Romans as a military and trade route.
During the Middle Ages, the pass was a crucial route for trade, mercenaries, and the Walser migration from the Valais into Italian valleys.
In the 17th century, the Duke of Savoy had fortifications built on the pass to prevent the spread of religious sects from Switzerland.
The arrival of scientists and early tourists like Horace-Bénédict de Saussure in the late 18th century transformed the pass into a gateway for the golden age of alpinism.

Following a 2019 public vote approving the project, construction has begun on the new school building, "d'niww Walka".
The first phase involves the demolition of the old Walka 1 and 2 wings and the gymnasium, with the first heavy machinery scheduled to arrive in mid-April 2021.
Kindergarten and lower primary classes have been temporarily relocated to a provisional schoolhouse at Obere Matten.
The school's Walka 3 wing will remain operational throughout the first phase of construction, which is expected to be completed in 2023.