SNOW WAY OUT!
Britons among 13,000 trapped in Swiss ski haven
THIRTEEN thousand tourists have been trapped in a popular Swiss ski resort – by too much snow. In two days of almost non- stop blizzard, some 5ft of snow has fallen.
While many of those affected seem to be in no rush to return to work, the bad news for them is that the authorities in Zermatt have declared that the risk of avalanche is so great that skiing is forbidden.
In the meantime, the hundreds of Britons among the ‘victims’ are finding that there are plenty of other activities to occupy them, including going to the pub.
Although trains and roads to and from the village, which lies in the shadow of the Matterhorn, have been out of action since Monday, anyone truly desperate to escape could leave by helicopter. A flight to a lower village, where transport is still running, cost £60 and takes three minutes.
The council was said to be setting off controlled explosions to help clear snow piled up on roads and train tracks. Some hamlets in the Valais canton, in which Zermatt lies, have been evacuated. There has also been torrential rain in the foothills.
A spokesman for the Zermatt tourist office said: ‘There is nothing to panic about, everything is fine.’ Above Zermatt, however, the authorities have closed ski slopes, hiking trails and cable cars to prevent avalanches being triggered.
Many Britons seemed quite happy to be stuck there. Chef Marian Podola, 35, from Wandsworth in South London, who is on holiday with friends, said: ‘Yes, we are stranded but it seems pretty good to us.
‘Everyone seems to be having a great holiday. There’s a lovely atmosphere in the village and the pubs and restaurants are open. The fondue is still delicious and the bars are full.’
Dan Frith, from Sheffield, who owns chalet agency SkiBoutique, said: ‘We’ve been cut off for 48 hours but I think most people are enjoying it. It’s magical here. It looks beautiful.’
‘The fondue is still delicious’