Zermatt no longer cut off as train services resume
The alpine village of Zermatt, famed for the iconic Matterhorn peak, is once again connected to the outside world after huge snowfalls blocked road and rail links.
Rail connections resumed on Wednesday evening when the first trains began running on the Matterhorn-Gotthard line between Zermatt and Täsch, 5km to the north.
#Zermatt est à nouveau accessible en train après 4 jours d'interruption dus à des chutes de pierres et des avalanches https://t.co/9AZImfJHkX
— RTSinfo (@RTSinfo) January 24, 2018
But the road between Täsch and Zermatt remained closed owing to the risk of avalanche, according to a police spokesman, the Swiss news agency SDA reported.
A bus service is in operation between Visp and Täsch.
Der Ansturm ist immer noch gross. In Täsch standen und stehen zahlreiche Busse zur Verfügung. Eins nach dem anderen. Gute Fahrt euch allen. #Bahnersatz #Täsch #Zermatt pic.twitter.com/QI7VSkQqPS
— MGBahn (@mgbahn) January 24, 2018
Since the weekend, the car-free village in the canton of Valais had been inaccessible after two metres of heavy snow fell in the area – the second time this month it had been cut off.
READ ALSO: ‘We’ve got the slopes to ourselves’: locals are happy to be stuck in Zermatt
Local residents and stranded tourists had to rely on helicopters for transport and food deliveries.
The risk of avalanches has been lowered from very high to considerable, according to a bulletin of the institute for snow and avalanche research SLF on Thursday.
In the four days that the village was cut off, the Air Zermatt helicopter company transported more than 5,000 people, SDA said.
Up to five helicopters were constantly deployed to ensure an air bridge to Zermatt.
But for most people waiting to leave there was a long wait for a ticket.
Food and drink were laid on for those waiting , including 1,600 sausages, 25 kilos of bread, 120 litres of mulled wine and 800 cups of coffee.
At no time were the lives of residents in danger, the local tourist office said.
Comments
See Also
Rail connections resumed on Wednesday evening when the first trains began running on the Matterhorn-Gotthard line between Zermatt and Täsch, 5km to the north.
#Zermatt est à nouveau accessible en train après 4 jours d'interruption dus à des chutes de pierres et des avalanches https://t.co/9AZImfJHkX
— RTSinfo (@RTSinfo) January 24, 2018
But the road between Täsch and Zermatt remained closed owing to the risk of avalanche, according to a police spokesman, the Swiss news agency SDA reported.
A bus service is in operation between Visp and Täsch.
Der Ansturm ist immer noch gross. In Täsch standen und stehen zahlreiche Busse zur Verfügung. Eins nach dem anderen. Gute Fahrt euch allen. #Bahnersatz #Täsch #Zermatt pic.twitter.com/QI7VSkQqPS
— MGBahn (@mgbahn) January 24, 2018
Since the weekend, the car-free village in the canton of Valais had been inaccessible after two metres of heavy snow fell in the area – the second time this month it had been cut off.
READ ALSO: ‘We’ve got the slopes to ourselves’: locals are happy to be stuck in Zermatt
Local residents and stranded tourists had to rely on helicopters for transport and food deliveries.
The risk of avalanches has been lowered from very high to considerable, according to a bulletin of the institute for snow and avalanche research SLF on Thursday.
In the four days that the village was cut off, the Air Zermatt helicopter company transported more than 5,000 people, SDA said.
Up to five helicopters were constantly deployed to ensure an air bridge to Zermatt.
But for most people waiting to leave there was a long wait for a ticket.
Food and drink were laid on for those waiting , including 1,600 sausages, 25 kilos of bread, 120 litres of mulled wine and 800 cups of coffee.
At no time were the lives of residents in danger, the local tourist office said.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.