Regular guests and visitors to Zermatt may have been alarmed to read of the devastating floods that occurred here last week on Friday 21 June. We are delighted to be able to let you know that with typical Swiss efficiency the resort was quickly re-opened and life is (almost) back to normal.

Heavy rainfall and snowmelt

The situation was certainly serious. A combination of heavy rainfall and an increase in temperatures at altitude that melted the large amount of snow remaining after April’s late season snowfall led to extremely large flows of water at the same time.

Resort cut off for less than 24 hours

The resort was temporarily cut off as the railway and road were closed to assure the safety of visitors. Hiking trails were also closed.

On Saturday evening – less than 24 hours after the road was closed – trains started running again between Zermatt and Tasch, connecting to a bus service from Tasch to Visp.

By Monday the Tasch to Zermatt road was open again and the town’s e-bus service was running again (although some stops remain closed).

Some hiking trails closed

Most hiking trails are now open again, although the Zermatt – Edelweiss – Trift trail remains closed for an indefinite period as the path has been destroyed. You can still access Edelweiss, Trift and the Rothorn refuge, by walking via Adlerhorst and Hubel. Updated information on open hiking trails can be found here.

Gornergrat train open again

There was some rockfall on the Gornergrat train line between Riffelalp and Riffelberg, but the line reopened on Thursday 27 June.

Everything you need to know about the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt

Summer in Zermatt

There is still cleaning up to be done. Some basements close to the river – including ours – suffered, particularly because of the silt, but we have already resolved ours and the resort already seems back to normal.

If you’d like to join us this summer and enjoy this marvellous Swiss resort, then please contact Ed or Suzanne on +41 79 247 15 88 and we will be delighted to help.