The new eight-seater Gifthittli chairlift is under construction and scheduled to open for the 2025/26 winter season.
It features Leitner's latest technology, including a gearless DirectDrive motor for quiet, eco-friendly operation and a LeitControl system for automated processes.
The lift's capacity will increase to 3,400 people per hour, and it will feature weather-protection bubbles and a redesigned, safer boarding area.
Sustainability was a key focus, with solar panels installed on the stations and parts of the old support foundations being reused.
Inside Zermatt's High-Quality Water Supply
Zermatt's drinking water is sourced 100% from high-quality natural springs, collected from 138 sources across 13 areas.
The 47.8 km pipe network is continuously maintained, with about 1% replaced annually, and features a modern leak detection system to minimize losses.
Water consumption peaks during high tourist season when the system supplies up to 40,000 people daily.
The article encourages conservation, especially of hot water, as an effective way for hotels and residents to save significant energy and costs.
New Cooperative Project to Create Affordable Housing
A housing cooperative is building 17 modern apartments on Riedstrasse to address the need for affordable living space in Zermatt.
The apartments are reserved exclusively for permanent residents of the inner Mattertal, with seasonal rentals explicitly prohibited.
The Zermatt municipality is supporting the project with a CHF 1.9 million equity contribution, which will be returned to the municipality at the end of the building lease.
The project marks a significant step in alleviating the region's long-standing housing shortage for locals.
Municipalities Unite for Future of Grande Dixence Hydropower
Twenty municipalities and the Canton of Valais have formed an association to manage their interests as the Grande Dixence hydropower concessions are set to expire in 2044.
The association's primary goal is to create a unified and strong negotiating position for the renewal of water rights and ensure future regional value creation.
The planned Gornerli multi-purpose reservoir project is a central element of the future strategy, intended for power generation, flood protection, and drinking water supply.
The association's board includes the presidents of the Zermatt, Evolène, and St. Niklaus municipalities, highlighting Zermatt's key role.
Meet the Next Generation of Zermatt's Municipal Workforce
The Zermatt municipality is actively training young people, with apprentices currently working in commercial administration and IT platform development.
By rotating through different departments, the apprentices gain broad experience in public administration, from customer service at the front desk to IT support.
In interviews, the trainees highlight the variety of their tasks, the positive team environment, and the opportunity for direct interaction with residents as key motivators for choosing their career path.
High-Altitude Retail: Summit Shopping Mall Opens on Gornergrat
A new "Summit Shopping Mall" has opened at the 3100 Kulmhotel on the Gornergrat, offering a unique shopping experience at an altitude of 3,100 meters.
The mall features a curated selection of exclusive products, regional specialties, and international brands with a focus on sustainability.
It includes its own private label, "3100 Gornergrat Summit Experience," and a culinary line, "Zermatt Prime Foods," featuring locally produced pasta and cheese.
The project is certified for sustainability and aims to enhance the Gornergrat experience, especially on days with poor weather.
Gornergrat Railway: Balancing Tourism with Heavy-Duty Transport
The Gornergrat Bahn (GGB) successfully serves a dual role as both a major tourist attraction and an essential logistics provider for the mountain.
In the first eight months of 2025, the GGB transported thousands of tons of materials for construction projects and hotel supplies, equivalent to approximately 700 truck journeys that were kept off local roads.
The railway managed this demanding heavy transport schedule with minimal disruption to the passenger experience, showcasing precise planning and strong team performance.
Zermatt Pioneers Smartphone Lift Tickets in Switzerland
Zermatt has become the first destination in Switzerland to introduce a smartphone-based ticket system for its mountain lifts.
The new digital ticket is integrated into the destination's Matterhorn App, allowing guests to pass through the electronic gates using their phone.
Guests can choose between a digital ticket on their smartphone or a physical KeyCard, but cannot use both simultaneously for the same ticket.
While currently available only for the Zermatt ski area, the service is planned to be expanded for international access to Italy in the near future.
A Look Back: The Historic Construction of the Gornergrat Railway
Construction of the Gornergrat Bahn began in 1896, following an initial 1890 proposal that also envisioned a railway up the Matterhorn.
The project faced significant initial opposition from local mountain guides, who feared the railway would threaten their livelihood.
Over 1,000 workers completed the railway in just two years, overcoming extreme challenges posed by the high altitude and difficult alpine terrain.
Upon its opening on August 20, 1898, it became the first electric cogwheel railway in Switzerland and the highest open-air railway in Europe at the time.
Zermatt-Matterhorn Begins Overhaul of Long-Term Strategy
Zermatt-Matterhorn has officially started the process of updating its long-term destination strategy, which will guide development for the next 10 to 15 years.
The process is being guided by a strategy group that includes representatives from the municipality, local businesses, lift companies, and, for the first time, a youth association (iischi NextGen).
A key part of the process will be a public survey in January 2026 to gather input and feedback from residents and second-home owners.
The revised strategy is scheduled to be finalized by the governing bodies and presented to the public by April 2026.