RESCUERS BLAST WAY TO SNOWBOUND ZERMATT
BERLIN Authorities in Switzerland resorted to dynamite Wednesday to clear a route to the ski resort of Zermatt, where more than 13,000 tourists are snowed in.
Helicopter teams used controlled explosions to trigger avalanches and clear areas of snow so the rail line to the town could be safely reopened.
Services resumed shortly after 5 p.m. local time, finally opening a route to the resort, which had been cut off from the outside world for two days.
The only way in or out had been by helicopter airlift, with many tourists choosing to pay 70 Swiss francs for a seat on a flight.
Authorities worked round the clock to reopen the Zermatt Matterhorn Railway, clearing three feet of snow from the tracks.
A small section of the railway linking Zermatt to the nearby village of Tasch was reopened. From there the road has been cleared and it is possible to continue by bus.