I’m a bit behind on my travel updates, so here’s a throwback to our trip in April. We planned to spend a few weeks in the UK and thought it might be a great opportunity to squeeze in some skiing. However, the late ski season and work commitments limited our options. The chances seemed slim, but we thought, why not give it a shot? After some extensive planning, we realized we could perhaps make it to Zermatt, Switzerland for a weekend of skiing. Time was tight; we needed to work part of the day on Friday and be back by Monday morning. This meant flying in and out of different airports and making quick connections. I hoped we wouldn’t end up spending the night in a train station, though it might make for an interesting story afterward. The whole experience reminded me of “The Amazing Race.”
Packing was a bit of a challenge (mine was the blue one)—quite impressive for a weekend getaway! We left work earlier than expected and headed straight to the airport. Once parked in long-term parking, we hustled to our gate, feeling as if running late would be the theme of this trip. But luck was on our side, and we made it on time. This was my first time flying EasyJet, and the boarding process was a bit chaotic, with passengers rushing towards the plane in a first-come-first-served seating frenzy.
Our journey to Zermatt was surprisingly smooth. We flew into Zurich, hopped on a train, quickly changed at Visp, and then took another train to Zermatt. Zurich and other parts of Switzerland still felt like winter. Zermatt, with its charming, electric car-filled streets (gas vehicles aren’t allowed), felt like a skier’s paradise. We arrived late Friday night, grabbed a quick meal at a pizza joint, and checked into Zermatt Matterhorn Hostel—the cheapest option available. While it wasn’t the worst hostel I’ve ever stayed in, it definitely ranked low on my list. But it served its purpose for our ski-focused weekend.
The next day was what we came for. Despite the uncomfortable sleep, the excitement of skiing overshadowed everything. The morning greeted us with snow and cold—perfect conditions for hitting the slopes. After picking up our rental gear, we headed to get lift tickets. Zermatt is enormous, with trails even stretching into Italy. We decided to stick to the Swiss side due to time constraints. The scale of the area became clear as we navigated through various lifts, gondolas, and trams. The sheer number of options was overwhelming, and we didn’t even manage to try them all.
On the slopes, conditions were decent, but visibility was almost nonexistent. Skiing blind was a new experience, with visibility improving lower down but the snow quality degrading to spring melt conditions. European skiing is unique in its lack of barriers, allowing skiers to venture off-piste, which was both thrilling and nerve-wracking given the visibility issues. I stuck close to trail markers to avoid straying too far.
The long trails meant we spent most of our time on the mid-mountain, only descending lower to scope things out. Spring was evident lower in the valley, rendering it non-ski-worthy. Thank goodness for rental skis, as navigating rocks and mud wasn’t ideal. We made one last push to reach the glacier near the top of the mountain. At 3,883 meters (12,739 feet), the altitude was noticeable, and one friend even had to descend early due to discomfort. Visibility remained poor, requiring careful navigation down the slopes. Despite the challenges, the snow quality was excellent, and conditions improved as we descended, making for the best run of the trip.
After reuniting with our friend at the lodge, we headed to Hennu Stall for some après-ski fun. The energy was high, with people in costumes dancing on tables—a local end-of-season tradition. Feeling a bit out of place, we eventually headed back to rest up before dinner. Many Zermatt restaurants were pricey and required reservations, so we were thrilled to find “The Bubble,” an English-style pub with a relaxed atmosphere and tasty food. A perfect end to our adventurous day.
Signing off from Switzerland, until our next update!