The 16th Zermatt Unplugged festival will take place from April 8 to 12, 2025.
The event will feature over 130 acoustic concerts from approximately 70 international and national artists, with more than 30,000 visitors expected.
Zermatt residents can purchase a discounted Unplugged Pass for 50 francs, providing access to over 80 concerts and parties.
New for 2025 are two additional concerts scheduled for Sunday, April 13, to conclude the festival weekend.
Zermatt Issues Emergency Guidelines for Residents
The municipality is publicizing official guidelines for residents on how to respond to earthquakes and prolonged power outages (blackouts).
The article highlights that the Valais region has the highest earthquake risk in Switzerland, and a severe earthquake could also trigger a multi-day blackout.
Residents are advised on specific actions, such as seeking shelter during a quake and maintaining an emergency supply of water, non-perishable food, and a battery-powered radio.
Six official emergency meeting points have been established throughout Zermatt where citizens can get information and make emergency calls if normal communication fails.
Major Flood Protection Project for Lüegelbach Stream
Following a mudslide in June 2024, a major project is planned to protect Zermatt from flooding caused by the Lüegelbach stream.
The project involves creating a new, 25-meter-wide channel to direct mudflows of up to 25,000 cubic meters safely into the Mattervispa river.
These measures are designed to significantly reduce the current flood risk in the Spiss area and prevent future flooding of the settlement.
Special care is being taken to minimize the impact on nationally significant dry meadows, with environmental monitoring throughout construction and plans for revegetation.
Storm-Damaged Hiking Trail to Reopen for Summer
Severe storms in June 2024 caused significant damage to the Zermatt-Älterhöüd-Trift hiking trail, destroying a 200-meter section and damaging a bridge.
The damage, including a major landslide, made the trail impassable and cut off direct access to mountain guesthouses.
Repairs will resume in spring 2025 and include the installation of a 20-meter-high metal staircase to bypass the landslide.
The damaged Stellibrücke bridge will be completely replaced, with all repairs aiming for completion in time for the summer hiking season.
Zermatt Plans Affordable Housing Atop Train Station
A partial rezoning plan aims to build approximately 70 new primary-residence apartments on the roof of the MGBahn train station.
The project is a response to the critical shortage of affordable housing for locals and seasonal workers in Zermatt.
The plan involves changing the zoning from "tourist facilities" to a "core zone," an action that does not require land compensation as it is a reclassification within an existing building area.
Following public consultation and a positive preliminary review from the canton, the project is in a public objection phase before a final vote by the population.
Gornergrat Railway to Cease Bike Transport
Starting in summer 2025, the Gornergrat Bahn will no longer transport bicycles.
The decision aims to strengthen the Gornergrat's positioning as a natural hiking destination and reduce user conflicts between bikers and hikers.
Analysis showed very low demand for bike transport, while the bike racks significantly reduced seating capacity for other passengers.
The change will free up approximately 50 additional seats per hour, though bike trails on the Gornergrat remain accessible by pedaling up.
Matterhorn App Launches "Peak Track" for Skiers
The Matterhorn App has introduced a new feature called "Peak Track" for the 2024/2025 winter season.
The tool allows skiers to track and analyze their statistics, including kilometers skied and vertical meters descended, by linking their KeyCard.
Users can create private groups to compare stats with friends and can opt-in to a public leaderboard to compete with the wider Zermatt ski community.
Skiers can also upload photos to create a personal memory of their ski day, with plans for a video function in the future.
Matterhorn Group Rebrands as Zermatt Hospitality Group
The Matterhorn Group AG, a leading hotel and restaurant company in Zermatt, has changed its name to Zermatt Hospitality Group AG.
The new name is intended to better reflect the company's identity and its deep roots in Zermatt's hospitality tradition.
The group operates nine lodging establishments and 20 restaurants and is expanding its portfolio with the takeover of the Hotel Simi in April 2025.
The company reported a record turnover of 44 million francs in the 2023/24 business year.
Glacier Palace Entrance Undergoes Major Renovation
The entrance to the Glacier Palace at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is undergoing significant renovations, expected to last until the end of April 2025.
Due to the natural movement of the glacier, the entrance has become steeper over time, necessitating adjustments for safety and comfort.
The renovation involves flattening the access and installing a staircase and a stairlift for the first time to ensure barrier-free access for all visitors.
Other attractions at the summit, including the viewing platform and restaurant, remain open during construction.
New Adventure Playground Coming to Leisee at Sunnegga
A new adventure playground is being built at the Leisee lake on Sunnegga, set to open in summer 2025.
The playground's design is inspired by Zermatt's local fauna and flora, featuring unique, Swiss-made wooden play equipment.
Highlights include two "volcano towers" connected by a bridge, a climbing marmot structure, trampolines, and a Viking swing.
The project emphasizes sustainability and is designed to create a family-friendly space that complements existing amenities like BBQ spots and a wooden ball run.