Temporary closure of summer skiing area as of 29.7.2022
The mild winter of 2021/2022, which saw little snowfall, leaving only a thin covering of snow in Zermatt Bergbahnen’s summer skiing area, combined with high summer temperatures and rainfall at over 4000 metres above sea level, necessitate a temporary discontinuation of summer skiing activities.
Large-scale glacier movements have an impact on crevasse activity. These factors only serve to exacerbate the challenges already posed by the lack of snow, making it impossible to ensure a full range of technical maintenance work on the transport facilities and upkeep of the ski slopes. Zermatt Bergbahnen’s decision to temporarily close the summer ski slopes was also taken with a view to ensuring the highest standards of safety for visitors and ski teams alike.
The closure of the summer ski area is a strictly temporary measure. Piste grooming and maintenance work on the transport facilities will continue. Preparation of the downhill training slope is also ongoing.
Work on the “Gran Becca” world cup run, which will host two men’s downhill events on 29 and 30 October 2022 and two women’s races on 5 and 6 November, is already half completed – at least on the Swiss side. The work will be completed on that side first, and then over the border in Italy to make sure the “Gran Becca” is ready for racing by the beginning of October 2022.
According to Markus Hasler, CEO of Zermatt Bergbahnen: “The measures adopted are a guarantee that, with lower temperatures and sufficient snowfall, Zermatt Bergbahnen will be able to offer summer training on the usual scale and general summer skiing activities can be resumed at any time. Given such favourable meteorological conditions, nothing can prevent the first ever staging of the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening scheduled for the end of October / beginning of November 2022. All-year skiing is one of the unique selling points of the Zermatt-Matterhorn resort. This temporary interruption of our summer ski offering will not affect our overall strategic orientation.”