A Cold Weather Sport

I’ve been in Zermatt for a week’s skiing and this has been our final day. The skis – excellent Atomic race skis that have made piste skiing a joy, have been returned. The bags are packed, the last bottle emptied. It’s time to return home sadly.

Day 6 on the ski slopes has been Arctic. Blue skies but minus 20C, that’s way below Zero in Fahrenheit. Either wear a face mask or don’t breathe in! Because breathing air that cold is not pleasant.

For my final Post from Zermatt here are 4 images that attempt to sum up the constituents of the week:

Snow on roofs in Zermatt - click to enlarge

Plenty of snow – in Zermatt itself the roofs are piled with snow.

Rush hour on 'White Hare' - click to enlarge

Superbly prepared pistes for all levels of skiers – and a huge ski area.

Some of the 4000metre peaks - click to enlarge

Among some of the best scenery in the Alps. It is said that from the high points of the Zermatt valley you can see 28 4,000Metre peaks. In this picture: Dent Blanche, Obergabelhorn, Wellenkuppe, Zinal Rothorn.

Mind your heads! - click to enlarge

And no chance of a thaw – frankly I wouldn’t have minded a mild day – but then there wouldn’t have been icicles to admire.

Here’s to the next ski trip  – more about that next week!

Follow the links below to the other posts from this week’s ski trip to Zermatt:

• Sunday: Flat Light
• Monday: On the Chair
• Tuesday: From Blind Ski to Sight See
• Wednesday: The Faces of a Mountain
• Thursday: Piste Skiing