"Endless Winter Snow"

4.10.2008

Snow Alert -Beaver Creek - Co, Cold front from Minnesota southwest to Colorado

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Kirkwood - Ca

After 7 years of work, Kirkwood Mountain Resort has received approval* of its new Mountain Master Development Plan, paving the way for new lifts and the opening of hundreds of acres of terrain previously accessible only by hiking. The Emigrant Basin Project: If you thought Kirkwood was great before, just wait! Get set for much more world-class terrain. Phase I is expected to begin summer 2008, with the opening of lifts to Covered Wagon Peak, Lookout Vista Point and Red Cliffs

Kirkwood will be offering another round of clinics on Saturday, April 12th. Join the Expedition Guides for a finale to another epic season and take advantage of reduced pricing! Clinics include limited group sizes, world-class instruction, video analysis, free demos, expess lift line privileges, group camaraderie and lunch. Cost is $100 for passholders or $130 including lift tickets.
Kirkwood is offering a free lift ticket to passholders from any California or Nevada resort to showcase the resort's incredible spring conditions and plans for next season. Simply present a valid 2007/08 season pass (employee passes not eligible) and ID to our ticket office and receive one complimentary lift ticket valid the date of issue.
www.kirkwood.com

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DyerMountainUSA
DYER MOUNTAIN FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY TO FACILITATE SALE OF SKI RESORT

On March 27, 2008 Dyer Mountain Associates (DMA), the owner and developer of the Dyer Mountain Resort filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code to gain more time to facilitate the sale of the resort. As you recall from our last update, DMA received approval of the Final EIR, 30 year development agreement and the first 12 parcel maps in September of last year. DMA's objective as we understand it was to get the next set of parcel maps approved which would significantly increase the value of the property and then to sell the property. However, due to very unfavorable market conditions, DMA has been unable to obtain the financing to complete this next phase of development and to pay off the current debt on the property. DMA therefore has been entertaining offers from as many as nine potential buyers to sell the property.

One of the nine potential buyers is an entity that we introduced to DMA. This entity has made an offer that would pay off 100% of the debt for the current lender, but would pay other creditors and investors only 30% on the dollar now with a seven year earn out for the remaining 70%. The current lender of course preferred this offer because they would be paid 100% but the other creditors and lenders did not like the deal because they would only receive 30% of their investment funds/loan amount now and would have to wait up to seven years to receive the rest. The current lender therefore told DMA that they were going to foreclose on the property if DMA did not accept the proposal from the current offeree. In response to this threat, DMA filed for bankruptcy so they would have time to negotiate a better deal from one of the other eight potential buyers. In addition, the current offeree might increase their offer as well, as we understand they are very interested in acquiring this property. We understand that DMA has 120 days to negotiate and accept a better offer or they will be forced to take the current offer. However, we have been told by DMA that they expect to finalize and accept a sale within the next 60 days.
www.dyermountainusa.com

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Cortina - Italy
Faloria area will stay open untill the 27th April with 120cm of snow and slope in perfect condition.

Photo:Cortina Marketing

www.cortina.dolomiti.org

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Jay Peak -Vermont
We’ve had several back-to-back days of just phenomenal weather and conditions. Temps will drop a touch for today and we might see a shower or two in the morning but all will be well beginning late morning/early afternoon when we’re expecting partly sunny skies again. We’ve still got all our terrain open accessed by 7 of 8 lifts (the Flyer will be closed ‘til Friday) and conditions are soft and spring like all round.

The Spring Mogul Competition will be held this Saturday, April 12th. It will take place at noon on The Jet.

www.jaypeakresort.com

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FIS - Ski
Four months after his crash at Beaver Creek (USA), Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal celebrated a spectacular comeback to racing at the Verbier "High Five" by Carlsberg fun race. The 2007 overall FIS Alpine World Cup champion beat the two-time downhill World Cup champion Didier Cuche (SUI) in the final of a dual slalom, the last in a series of five races which also included a one-run giant slalom, a short speed test and a ski cross competition. Another Swiss, Didier Defago, finished 3rd in the final combined standings of the 9th edition of the event in Valais.

"I'm really pleased - this has been a fun and exciting day for me. You can't compare it to a World Cup race, but for sure it's a good feeling to be so competitive and reach the final," Svindal said afterwards. “I would not be ready now to compete at Soelden, but this success shows that I'm on the way to soon be as competitive as I was prior my accident," he added.

Nearly 300 racers including snowboarders took part in the invitational event. They included Daniel Albrecht (SUI), a two-time World Cup winner last winter, speed specialist Marco Buechel (LIE) and reigning Olympic champion Antoine Deneriaz of France who gave up World Cup racing last December.

Another Swiss, Fraenzi Aufdenblatten, won the ladies’ event starring other top athletes including the new overall World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn (USA), reigning giant slalom Olympic champion Julia Mancuso (USA) and her friend Chemmy Alcott (GBR). Spela Pretnar (SLO), the 2000 slalom World Cup champion who retired in 2003, came 2nd in the combined standings ahead of retired Swede Janette Hargin.

To allow the ladies’ teams to test the Rhône-Alpes slope on Solaise, the mountain where the ladies’ FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2009 events will be held, Val d’Isère and the French Ski Federation (FFS) invited the world’s top thirty FIS ranked skiers, plus one skier per nation registered with the FIS, to ski timed training runs last weekend and early this week. Along with the French ladies’ team, teams from Italy, Germany, USA, Spain, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland accepted the invitation.

The Rhône-Alpes slope has undergone considerable changes, especially in the lower section, since it was tested in competition during the 2007 French national championships. The World Cup events that were to serve as the official test races last December had to be cancelled due to lack of snow. With great snowfall later in the season, however, this week’s speed training sessions were held in ideal conditions.

FIS Chief Race Director for the ladies, Atle Skaardal together with Jan Tischhauser, FIS Race Director, also inspected the slope on the weekend and expressed their satisfaction with the modified courses and work done by the team in Val d’Isere to enable the teams’ training. One of the topics under review included the staging of the ladies’ super combined slalom during the championships on Solaise rather than the men’s Bellevarde slope. A possible course could be set at the foot of the Mur Firmin below the virage Russi which would allow for more flexibility for the men’s downhill preparation on the Face on Bellevarde. A decision will be taken shortly.

The second-to-last FIS Coordination Group meeting for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2009 in Val d’Isere (FRA) took place this Monday and Tuesday, 7th-8th April. Led by the newly appointed mayor Marc Bauer and Executive Director Jean Luc Fabre, the organizing committee presented a full day update on its progress with preparations, as just 10 months remains until the event. Following the various changes last summer and the cancellation of the ladies’ test event in December due to lack of snow, the team has been making great progress especially since the highly successful men’s World Cup events in February. However, certain areas will continue to be monitored carefully, notably the construction of a complex that will house for example the press and international broadcasting centers which began on Monday and is scheduled to be completed by end of November, and the accommodation planning. The final inspection for the event is scheduled for 9th-10th September, 2008.

Alpine Skiing Season Review

FIS Chief Race Directors for Alpine Skiing, Günter Hujara for the men, and Atle Skaardal for the ladies, shared some of their observations of 2007/2008 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season for the FIS Newsflash.

Atle Skaardal: On the whole, we had quite a good season on the ladies side. There was enough snow at our venues and at times, it felt like we had the good ol’ winter back with tons of snow. From the sports perspective, it was an exciting season, too. It was not quite as tight as last year although the fight for the overall World Cup title remained close until the Finals. Mostly, it was the well-known names on the top without big surprises, with the exception of young Swiss Lara Gut making her first podium in St. Moritz.

In terms of the new equipment rules introduced for this season, I expect them to have a positive impact in the long run. It was a big change for the industry and it will take time for their effect to be fully seen. I think we are moving in the right direction but we need to realize that this is all part of a continued development process. In many cases, such as injuries, many variables are at play, not only the equipment. It is the same for safety. Overall, our measures are at a very high level and where there is room for improvement, continued work is being done. We have already made significant progress in the past 10-15 years; there is no comparison between what we had in 1990 and now. At the same time, we cannot even begin to think what types of safety standards we will have in another 10-15 years. This, too, is a step-by-step process.

Next season will be the first season that we will be implementing the schedule changes that we have been anticipating for two years now. The calendar will include fewer World Cup races for both men and ladies. This will indicate a new direction for us, with increased focus on quality rather than quantity.

This season’s calendar included quite a few weekends with the ladies and men together. These joint events are good and we will probably have 3-4 of those in the future as well, but not more. This year, both of the returning organizers – Panorama (CAN) and Crans-Montana (SUI) – did a great job and next year we will again welcome two new organizers, La Molina (SPA) and Bansko (BUL). At the same time, we will also continue to support the further development of the ladies’ classical sites, Cortina, St. Moritz, Val d’Isère and Zagreb, just to mention a few.

Günter Hujara: On the sports side, this season saw, as expected, the established racers being challenged by many new names. We had many different and many new winners. We also saw several racers making great progress through the super combined to do well in the special events, such as Ivica Kostelic in the downhill.

From an organizational perspective, the season was very challenging. We had enough snow but the rapid weather changes also made it very difficult to work and this season really showed what extreme efforts are required to prepare the courses for the World Cup races. The positive news is that we set new records at several sites, such as Adelboden and Schladming for spectators, and at many others such as Wengen and Val Gardena for TV. The highlight of the season in the technical events was the first-ever men's slalom in Zagreb (CRO).

We also saw relatively many injuries, especially early in the season. Later, we may have seen fewer of them but unfortunately some very dramatic ones. We are constantly working on improving the safety of the racers. These efforts may not always be transparent to all since speed and safety are often the two sides of the same coin. Despite some spectacular crashes, we can say that the speed events – downhill and super-G – have been developing well. The current requirements in the World Cup are extremely high and the top racers do meet these requirements. Of course, the continued development of the World Cup also increases the demands for the other racing levels such as the Continental Cups and below.

Our future challenge will be to continue to offer great events and sports competitions at their best. There will be some good ideas coming out from the Alpine World Cup optimization project, especially to better promote the events and our sport. But there are probably some additional opportunities to further target and improve the management and marketing of the World Cup from a holistic perspective. Clearly we still can do it better.

www.fis-ski.com

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NASTC
May 31 - Mt. Shasta Climb and Ski Adventure: Ever want to ski one of the most famous peaks in California? NASTC is running a guided 3-day expedition on Mt Shasta that involves climbing up to the Summit and skiing back down. Mt. Shasta is a volcano in the Cascade range and a perfect peak for both new and experienced mountaineers. The descent on skis is 4000ft. Space is limited, please call the NASTC office if you are interested 530.582.47.72

August 15-25 - Skiing in the Southern Hemisphere at Portillo, Chile: This one of the best and most popular trips on our calendar. We have been going to Portillo for 14yrs and love every minute we spend there. Portillo is an amazing place with spectacular Andean scenery and lots of charisma. The NASTC Portillo trip offers great terrain, warm hospitality, great camaraderie and lots of fun. A day at Portillo usually begins with a big breakfast in the dining room at our designated table, then outside for a morning of drills and lots of skiing. We ski back to the hotel for lunch and then back out onto the hill for more skiing and coaching. At the end of the ski day, we come back to the hotel and enjoy the Chilean tradition of "Onces" or afternoon tea followed by a tech talk and video analysis in the movie theatre. There is sometime to relax, enjoy the amenities of the hotel and have a cocktail before dinner is served. If you still have energy left, the disco is a popular place at nighttime. The time spentat
Portillo is truly magical and we know you will fall in love with it as we have. We are currently taking reservations if you are interested please call the NASTC office as soon as possible as space is limited. 530.582.47.72 www.skiNASTC.com

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Kicking Horse - Canada
OPEN final weekend, get it while you can !

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WHISTLER, BC

Action sports photographers from around the world bidding to be included in this year’s Pro Photographer Showdown set the bar so high with their 3 minute submissions that they vaulted out of the stadium and into a higher reality entirely, according to Multimedia Events Manager for the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Lilli Clark.

“The quality of submissions was mind-blowing,” said Clark . “Capturing these moments of frozen time and conjuring stories with amazing pictures is a really hard job and we offer our kudos to the action sports photographers who are helping fuel the progression of these sports and documenting an ever-changing world.”

What might be pain for action sports photographers striving out in the field is pure gain for the audience, with a spectacular line-up of photographers chosen to present at the eleventh annual Pro Photographer Showdown at the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, April 17 2008.

Hailing from Switzerland , Norway , Whistler, and Vancouver, the five selected photographers, announced today, will be transported to Whistler for a gala presentation where they will show self-curated 9 minute multimedia presentations of the best work of their careers.

The photographer judged Best in Show by a panel of the leading creative minds in the industry (including renowned photographers Paul Morrison, Eric Berger (Best of Show 1998), Aaron Chang (Best of Show 1999) and prolific writer and editor Leslie Anthony) will take home the $10,000 prize purse, with the other four finalists being awarded $1500 each.

Tickets for the gala event, which draws a 2000 strong sell-out crowd, are $20 and available online at the Festival e-store at

The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival is produced by Watermark Communications, a Whistler marketing & communication company, and presented in partnership with Tourism Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb. Founded by W1’s Doug Perry thirteen years ago, and now the largest annual winter sports and music festival in North America , the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival is a high-octane 10 day and night showcase of the best of snowsports, music, arts and mountain life. Featuring major professional ski and snowboarding competitions, the largest free outdoor concert series in Canada , the legendary Pro Photographer and Filmmaker Showdowns, and many more unique art and cultural showcases, the Festival is the ultimate winter wrap party. For information on the 2008 TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, April 11-20, visit

SPANKY's and the ridge to the south below OPEN
www.whistlerblackcomb.com
www.whistler2008.com.

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Montafon - Austria
OPEN

New this season Silvretta Nova
6-seater Sesselbahn Vermiel chairlift
The new fixed 6-seater Vermiel chairlift with conveyor belt entry and luxury upholstery replaces the three Vermiel drag lifts. With the new lift and the moving of the new mountain station to the mountain station of the Grandaubahn, this area is experiencing a substantial qualitative improvement.

Heated seating for the 6-seater Sesselbahn Nova chairlift The SB Nova, newly constructed last winter, is being equipped with heated seating

62 facilities covered by one regional ski pass:
4 Cable cars
10 Gondolas
1 Eight-seater chairlift (Bubble)
5 Six-seater chairlifts (Bubble)
6 Four-seater chairlifts
2 Three-seater chairlifts
10 Two-seater chairlifts
1 Single-seater chairlift
23 Drag, children’s and button lifts

www.montafon.at

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Valaisan Events - Switzerland
A selection of events from the beginning of March to the end of April 2008:
12.-20.04.08 XSpeedSki in Nendaz/Verbier
16.-20.04.08 "Patrouille des Glaciers", glacier patrol in Zermatt-Verbier

www.valaistourism.ch

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Valle Nevado
Preparing to begin season of ski winter season 2008 comes yet. For that reason, in Snow-covered Valley we are preparing ourselves from already receiving to all the lovers of the snow in the best conditions: hotels, tracks, ferry cables, restaurants and our team of professionals 100% ready to you. A sample of it, is the works of re-preparation that we are carrying out in all the ferry cables. Tito Antillo, manager of Snow-covered Valley engineering, indicated that "the works of maintenance are made periodically. In addition, during the summer and before each winter season we reviewed ours carefully telesillas, to guarantee a correct performance. In this sense, it emphasizes the work which we are making in telesilla the Viewpoint, the one that is being prepared to face one season 2008 in an optimal level ". The ferry cable will again open along with the beginning of the season of ski, programmed for the 13 of next June www.Vallenevado.com

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National Ski Areas Association
The National Ski Areas Association is the trade association for ski area owners and operators. It represents 326 alpine resorts that account for more than 90 percent of the skier/snowboarder visits nationwide. Additionally, it has 400 supplier members who provide equipment, goods and services to the mountain resort industry.

NSAA analyzes and distributes ski industry statistics; produces annual conferences and trade shows; produces a bimonthly industry publication and is active in state and federal government affairs. The association also provides educational programs and employee training materials on industry issues including OSHA, ADA and NEPA regulations and compliance; environmental laws and regulations; state regulatory requirements; aerial tramway safety; and resort operations and guest service.

NSAA was established in 1962 and was headquartered in Springfield, Mass. In 1989 NSAA merged with SIA (SnowSports Industries America) and moved to McLean, Va. The merger was dissolved in 1992 and NSAA was relocated to Lakewood, Colo., because of its central geographic location. NSAA is located in the same office building as the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the National Ski Patrol in Lakewood, Colo., a suburb west of Denver.
EVENT
National Convention & Trade Show May 28-31, 2008

www.nsaa.org/

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Stubai Glacier - Austria

Enjoy skiing on excellent prepared slopes in the Kingdom of Snow. Hence, skiing is possible on 4 glaciers (Windachferner, Daunferner, Eisjochferner, Gaisskarferner) Even the new built chairlift Wildspitz is opened.

The recently constructed valley terminal also offers winter sports enthusiasts even greater convenience thanks to its sheltered access area, wheelchair-friendly ramps and Austria’s largest self-service ski depot: after a long day out in the snow, skiers can leave their skis for safekeeping at Austria’s largest self-service ski depot. This service, quick and easy to use, can securely store up to 1,500 pairs of skis, 1,200 pairs of boots and other equipment over a period of several days.
Events at Stubai Glacier
5.4.2008: Stubai Jam - Ski- and Snowboardcontest with DJ-Sound and After Contest Party

Operation hours tow-lifts until 4:00pm
Autumn-skiing-prices are valid.
Children under 10 years ski for free when accompanied by a parent.

More information: www.stubaier-gletscher.com

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Saas-Fee Switzerland

Great piste conditions are guaranteed until the end of the season on 4th May. And what's more: you can get warm, meet nice people, have fun, chatter, flirt and dance... Our spring package "Allalin weeks" can easily keep pace with the approaching spring feeling. 4 nights from only CHF 346.- / EUR 223.-. After the great (and full) winter there are still free rooms now in April. Thanks to the Easter snow, winter has just begun...

King of Popcorn
The world's best freestyle snowboard action". Exaggeration? Certainly not! From the 17th to 20th April the best boarders well ensure a great spectacle within the remit of the Swatch TTR Snowboard Tour, "SNICKERS Classic & POPCORN Wallride 08" in Saas-Fee, both on and near the piste. Famous names will show their respect for the freestyle event: for instance Gian Simmen and Iouri Podlatchikov. On Längfluh it's a question of higher, faster, further. And who will become king? Will it be Nicolas Müller again, "the King of Popcorn 2007"? www.saas-fee.ch

Air France

Air France

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HEAVENLY VALLEY

For more information on Spring Loaded ’08 events and package deals,
visit skiheavenly.com
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Olympic torch on a previous visit to Squaw

Squaw Valley Lift Tickets & Lessons
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Stubai Glacier - Austria
The Stubai Glacier represents one of the most extensive all-year-skiing areas in the Eastern Alps with 68 miles of slopes and off-slope tracks of all levels of difficulty and a 2.8 mile high altitude cross country slope.

The glacier ski area is complemented by the lifts on Neustift`s local fun mountain, the “Elfer” ski resort. Neustift is known far and wide for its beautiful ski tours. You can also use more than 2,8 miles of cross country tracks, wander along two winter hiking trails or enjoy a ride on one of the numerous natural tobbogan runs, among them the longest natural tobobban run in Austria.

Approximately 100 youth hostels in all of Austria are open to everybody. Groups and those travelling alone are advised to book in advance.

Each guest must present a valid International Youth Hostel membership card which can be purchased at any national Youth Hostel Association office.

Lists of youth hostels and detailed information can be found:
- at the Austrian Youth Hostel Association
- at the Österreichisches Jugendherbergswerk

www.stubai-gletscher.at

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Lake Louise - Canada
Lake Louise Mountain Resort! Spring Episode is always one of the most anticipated spring parties in the Rockies. Taking place on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th, the weekend-long festival includes live music, outdoor BBQs, Kokanee beer gardens, live music, a variety of activities, and of course, great spring skiing and riding. Suitable for all ages, check out the Snow Golf Contest, Kids Zone, demos and sampling.

SOCIAL CODE, one of Canada’s hottest new rock and punk bands, will perform live at 3pm on April 26th. With an infectious sound, Social Code is starting to heat up the Canadian rock charts. The band is currently touring across the country with Sum 41.

EVENT
Saturday, April 26 – Ski Into Summer!

The Kokanee Freeride will roll in to Lake Louise! Gear up for summer with the first-ever Fat Tire Mountain Bike Competition at Lake Louise Mountain Resort. In the base area, there will be Rockstar DJs spinning throughout the afternoon. Then, check out a FREE live concert from Social Code, taking place in the base area.

www.skilouise.com

Burton
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Zermatt - Switzerland
OPEN
Updates
Sunnegga paradise - Findeln - Breitboden chair lift
In time for the winter season 2007/08, the old 2-seater chair lift will be replaced by a comfortable, coupleable 4-seater chair lift with heated seats from Sunnegga paradise via Findeln to Breitboden. This chair lift with a passenger capacity of 2,000 people per hour and 20 supports has an underground station on Sunnegga paradise. The amount to be invested will run to CHF 13 million. There will be further opportunities to board the lift in Breitenboden heading towards Sunnegga paradise, and at Findeln heading towards Breitenboden and Sunnegga paradise.

Photo:Findeln at Zermatt
Hohtälli - Kellensee ski run
To replace the Gornergrat - Hohtälli cable railway an intermediate (red) ski run will be constructed from Hohtälli to Kellensee in the summer . This new connection will not only dramatically reduce transfer times, but will also significantly improve accessibility to the Gornergrat and Matterhorn glacier paradise. Yet another contribution to making the Matterhorn ski paradise even more attractive!

New snow-making facilities
Once again this summer various snow-making facilities are being built, with the result that now approximately 60% of all pistes in Zermatt are either covered with snow or on the glacier.

The improvement of the Matterhorn glacier paradise
Europe's highest cable railway station is getting a completely new look: A lovely restaurant is being built atop the spectacular peak rising 3,883 m above sea level and will feature a hostel for mountaineers and a shop. The sanitary facilities are being renovated as well and will soon include an independent sewage treatment plant.

The glacier palace will soon be easier to reach: The tower is at the very end of the summit tunnel, meaning that in future, guests will no longer need to walk over the glacier.

In addition, a panorama window with a view of the Breithorn and Gornergrat will be created on the peak's northeast face by blasting away rock in the tunnel.
The aim, says Christen Baumann, CEO of Zermatt Mountain Cableways, is to complete this first stage by the end of 2007. At the same time Zermatt Mountain Cableways are preparing construction plans for pyramids, lifts and observation platforms, with the final plans expected to be ready for submission next summer. These plans include the construction of an observation platform at 4,000 metres above sea level - 117 metres above the actual summit - and restaurants, a multimedia room and other infrastructure on the summit itself.

"Even in terms of its infrastructure and architecture, the Matterhorn glacier paradise is set to do justice to its superlatives and its uniqueness," believes Zermatt Mountain Cableways chief, Christen Baumann. "It is intended to become yet another Swiss trademark that will complement the existing comprehensive offering."

Cable railway Furi - Riffelberg
In 2006 a new 8-seater cable railway was be built between Furi - Schweigmatten and Riffelberg. The valley station is located on Furi, at the same level as the midway station for the Matterhorn Express. The same 8-seater cars are being used as for the combi cableway Sunnegga - Blauherd, called "level walk-in" cars. At the Schweigmatten midway station, you can embark/disembark in the direction of Furi or Riffelberg. The mountain station lies north of the Riffelberg Restaurant, so that the Gifthittli chair lift can run alongside the skiers to the valley station. The overall costs for this 8-seater cable railway with a capacity of 2'400 people per hour and a diagonal length of 2'085m amount to CHF 18 million.

Zermatt Alpine Paradise