The 2023/24 school year begins with new leadership, including Alexandra Henzen as the new head of the secondary school.
The new 'Niww Walka' school building will be partially occupied from December 2023, with phased move-ins continuing into 2024.
A major digitalization initiative will equip students from the 5th grade upwards with personal convertible laptops.
The school year's motto is 'Our Path: real - digital,' focusing on balancing traditional and technology-based learning.
Maintaining Zermatt's Public Spaces
The School, Sport, and Leisure Facilities department (SSFA) is responsible for the professional maintenance of all public facilities in Zermatt.
Their diverse tasks include repairing and cleaning school buildings, sports venues, and playgrounds, as well as snow clearing and waste management.
The team maintains key areas like the Obere Matten sports center, the Sportplatz Chrome, and four village playgrounds.
This department plays a crucial, often unseen, role in ensuring the functionality and safety of the resort's infrastructure for residents and guests.
Zermatt Revises Housing Regulations
The municipality is revising its regulations for primary and secondary residences to address challenges created by the 2012 federal second home initiative.
The new rules aim to close legal loopholes, counter the misuse of primary residences for commercial rental, and preserve housing for local residents.
The revision seeks to reassert local control over sustainable development in the face of unwanted side effects from federal law.
Proposed changes were scheduled to be presented to the public in an information session on August 22, 2023.
Community Rallies for Annual Clean-Up Day
Zermatt will hold its 10th annual Clean-Up Day on September 15-16, 2023, as part of a national campaign.
Local partners, businesses, schools, and private individuals are invited to collaborate to collect litter from around the village and surrounding areas.
In past years, the event has successfully collected over two tons of waste annually.
The initiative aims to raise awareness against littering and promote sustainability to maintain the town's clean image.
World's First 'Cow Hotel' Opens on Riffelalp
The Riffelalp cooperative has launched the 'Bellevache Resort,' promoted as the world's first cow hotel, to revitalize a historic alpine pasture.
The initiative allows patrons to sponsor a cow's summer stay on the alp, supporting traditional dairy farming and local culture.
The sponsored cows are 'pampered' with high-quality grazing, grooming, and care, with their milk being used for local cheese production.
Sponsors receive perks such as a cowbell, photos of their sponsored cow, and partner hotel upgrades as a thank-you.
Zermatt Tourism Reaffirms Commitment to In-Person Service
Despite the rise of digital information channels, Zermatt Tourism is investing in its physical Guest Service Center to maintain high-quality personal interaction.
The tourist office has expanded its opening hours to 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM to better serve guests.
The organization believes that personal advice and local insider tips are crucial for the guest experience and cannot be fully replaced by technology.
While exploring AI as a supplemental tool, the focus remains on the value of face-to-face service provided by knowledgeable staff.
World's First Autonomous Cable Car to Launch
The new Zermatt-Furi cable car, the world's first AURO (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) pendulum lift, will begin operations in autumn 2023.
The system uses advanced sensors and cameras for operator-free operation, monitored from a central control room, ensuring maximum safety and 24-hour availability.
The new lift features a space-saving sliding platform at the valley station and a unique circular support tower due to tight space constraints.
A 'Rooftop-Ride' experience on top of the cabin will be offered as a special attraction starting in summer 2024.
Matterhorn Alpine Crossing Opens with New All-Year Pass
The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, the highest cable car crossing in the Alps, officially opened on July 1, 2023, creating a year-round connection between Zermatt and Cervinia, Italy.
The opening was celebrated with a ceremony at the Testa Grigia station, featuring numerous dignitaries and hosted by Michelle Hunziker.
To accompany the new connection, an 'Xtended 365' annual pass is now available for an additional CHF 400, offering unlimited year-round travel between the two resorts.
Retiring head of construction, Anton Lauber, was honored for his work by being named the official patron of the new lift.
A Tribute to Zermatt Ski Legend Hugo Lehner
Hugo Lehner (1901-1945) was a pioneering Zermatt skier, mountain guide, and the first head of the Zermatt ski school.
Known for his daring agility on rock and snow, he was one of the strongest military patrol racers and ski racers of his era.
Lehner was a close friend and frequent collaborator of filmmaker Luis Trenker, accompanying him on expeditions to locations like Spitzbergen.
Despite his daredevil reputation, he passed away from illness, a year after his more cautious friend Otto Furrer died in a mountain accident.
Gornergrat Railway Celebrates 125 Years
The Gornergrat Railway is marking its 125th anniversary with a series of events and 125 historical stories published on its website.
The online stories are categorized into themes of people (like Mount Everest pioneer Sir Edmund Hillary's visit), nature, technology, and fun facts.
A special exhibition, 'The one and only Gornergrat Railway,' is running at the Zermatlantis Alpine Museum until summer 2024 to commemorate the anniversary.
The railway also supports anniversary events, such as the Coop OpenAir Cinema on Riffelalp.