Zermatt

Team Europe has done it: thanks to a masterful performance on the backcountry slopestyle course, the Europeans have reclaimed the SWATCH SKIERS CUP trophy from the defending champions Team Americas. They won with 10:6 points. Having already won the big mountain freeride contest, Team Europe was crowned the new champions of the event with a final score of 21:11!

The riders from Team Europe and Team America have already battled it out twice at the SWATCH SKIERS CUP in Valle Nevado, Chile. After losing at the premiere in 2011, Team Americas was able to equalize in September 2012: The duel between the continents is now tied 1:1. This starting position now heightens the tension ahead of the third edition of this event, as one of the teams is sure to take the lead when the SWATCH SKIERS CUP makes its first appearance in the northern hemisphere: From February 10 to 15, 2013, the freeskiers will meet again in Zermatt (CH)!

The Stockhorn is quite easy to reach via a ridge. After a short ascent, the summit is quickly reached. Once at the top, the view of the glaciated landscape will amaze you. The entire Monte Rosa massif is within easy reach, but the view of the Matterhorn and Gorner glacier is also impressive. Depending on the conditions, you can ski down moderately steep or steeper terrain. Caution! The crevasses on the Trifji Glacier are a serious danger on this variant.

One of the best chocolates in the world, the Swiss Toblerone, has the same shape as the legendary Matterhorn, which the locals affectionately call "Horu? And when the Horu, supposedly the most beautiful peak in the world, has been garnished with fresh powder, the ski area around the Matterhorn becomes a real freeride paradise. And after a perfect day of freeriding, the famous Toblerone tastes all the better with an evening view of the countless 4000-metre peaks.

After everyone almost went crazy because of a few colorful cards and hardly any snow fell below 2500-2600m, there will now be a short cabin break on Monday to discuss tactics and then the südstau will go out on the field again on Tuesday with renewed vigor.

Most of our local mountains are now either stone gray or green, as the snow has now retreated to the glacier regions. We set off for the snowy mountains of Zermatt in the canton of Valais to replace freeride abstinence with trail exhilaration.

It is already being praised as a "revolution", "energy miracle" and "milestone". The New Monte Rosa Hut in the Upper Valais region of Switzerland. It lies there like a polished stone, the dazzling future. Exactly 2883 meters above sea level, with a view of the Matterhorn. Surrounded by the Gorner, Grenz and Monte Rosa glaciers, somewhere far below is Zermatt in the Upper Valais.

The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt; a much-traveled, challenging classic. This high alpine ski crossing leads through some of the most spectacular Alpine regions; it offers incredible descents, but also long daily stages and challenging alpine terrain. Without a doubt, the 5-6 day ski crossing is one of the highlights in the life of a tourer or freerider. Anthony was enthusiastic, but the huts seemed a little too "luxurious" for him. So he packed his own tent...

Haute Route - Verbier Route...

Haute Route - Regular Route...

A grand finale to an excellent winter. Hardly any other area in the Alps is as suitable for high-alpine ski tours as the Zermatt summit world of Monte Rosa and the peaks around the Saas Valley. Here in the heart of the Valais Alps, the four-thousand-meter peaks are closer together than anywhere else, and thanks to the strong glaciation, many peaks can be reached on skis. Just like last year, we are drawn to the brilliant mountain world of the Upper Valais at the end of the season; this time we opt for the third highest peak in the Mischabel group, the 4199 m high Rimpfischhorn.

The alarm clock rings at half past three in the morning. Nevertheless, we are happy to finally get up, as the loud snoring of our roommates (even though we are equipped with earplugs!) has caused us to toss and turn more than we sleep. After a spartan breakfast, we set off with the first group at half past four in unpleasant temperatures.