Zermatt's Glaciers and Climate Change
Klein Matterhorn
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Klein Matterhorn Station
The cable car from Trockener Steg to the Klein Matterhorn shown in the first photograph above, provides an extraordinary perspective of the high elevation glaciers and their crevasses cascading down from the heights. Here are the highest altitude views of any of the lift stations, especially of the Upper Theodul Glacier and the Matterhorn. The photograph above shows the new 3S tri-cable gondola called the "Matterhorn glacier ride." Each of its 25 gondolas holds 28 people and some gondolas have clear floors to allow unusual views of the glacier 650 feet below. This 3S gondola is the highest in the world.
The Klein Matterhorn Station, at 12,740 feet above sea level, is the highest place in Europe that can be reached by aerial tramway. The photograph to the right shows the glacial cap on the 13,658 foot Breithorn. Down in the valley is the Gorner Glacier.
The view to the left is the Upper Theodul Glacier from the observation platform of the Klein Matterhorn lift station.
The view above shows some of the ski lifts and slopes accessible from Klein Matterhorn. This photograph was taken in September and also shows the vast sources of snow and ice at this elevation of over 12,000 feet. This not only supports summer skiing but also is a source of ice for the many glaciers at lower elevations including the tributary glaciers for the Gorner Glacier. An elevator in the structure shown and a stairway gives access to the observation platform on the top of Klein Matterhorn. The 360 degree view from here shows you 38 peaks over 13,000 feet in 3 countries and 14 glaciers.
Close to the restaurant at the station, an elevator descends about 50 feet into a glacier. This is the world's highest glacier palace. You can walk through an entrance tunnel shown above and visit many rooms carved out of the ice that include beautiful ice sculptures like the one shown to the right.
The three photographs to the left and below show views of the Gorner Glacier from the cable car to Klein Matterhorn. The gray rock above the valley glacier shows where the ice was before retreat. The Gorner Glacier tributary seen in the two enlarged photographs below is essentially separated from and no longer contributes ice to the valley part of the glacier. The photographs below were taken in 2007 and 2018. Noticeable retreat and separation have occurred in only 11 years!
Comparison shows retreat in only 11 years
2007
2018
From the Klein Matterhorn lift you can see the ski slopes on the Upper Theodul Glacier at the base of the Matterhorn.