It's amazing that it can be so warm down in the valley, and yet there is still snow in the town of Bettmeralp - all the roads are snow packed!
In past years, as we climbed the Simplon Pass to return to Lugano, I have seen towns so high up across the valley - I always wanted to go up there! So on our way from Brig to Lugano, we went the route of the Glacier Express (but took the local train), and made a stop at Betten Talstation and took the cable car up to Bettmeralp. There, we found quite a large tourist ski town still with several feet of snow! There are no cars up there - like Zermatt. Taxis are snowmobiles - we even saw a paramedic snowmobile.
It's a bit treacherous walking on the snow, and then suddenly someone comes whizzing past on skis! When people are finished skiing they just ski home!
The views were breathtaking and I would love to go back during the summer - I'm sure it's great hiking! This is on the south side of the Altesch Glacier - there are other cable cars going higher to see the glacier.
The town is quite steep - the houses seem to be on the edge of the world.
This is what a truck looks like in Bettmeralp - on treads!
There are no sidewalks shoveled - nothing. I'm sure there is too much snow to even clean it up.
And this is on April 14!
There was a ski school for pre-schoolers. So cute! After going down the very gentle slope, they stand on the VERY SLOWLY moving sidewalk to get back to the top. The little girl on the moving sidewalk looks to be no more than 3.
A larger view of the pre-school ski school.
Ok, a little bit is shovel here - but that's all I saw.
Now, look closely between the houses at the mountains in the distance. What do you see? The Matterhorn!!!! This is the first time I've ever had a real good view of the Matterhorn.
View of the town, and the Matterhorn is the little pointy peak in the distance - about in the middle.
Zoomed in shot of the Matterhorn.
Bettmeralp church
It was so pleasant up here - absolutely no wind, about 44 degrees. We sat outside in a cafe and had some hot chocolate. We see this mom go by on skis, pulling her daughter behind - the child has something between her legs that the rope is attached to. Also, there were no strollers - small children were on comfy sleds!
Enjoying our hot chocolate in Bettmeralp. You see how warm it was? No need for a hat or gloves, or the warmer jacket.
Bettmeralp panoramic
We very carefully walked by the church that you saw in a previous picture.
Rick decides to talk a walk on this 1 foot wide strip of open grass - really, there is a drop off behind him!
We didn't dare try to sit on the bench - couldn't tell where the ground ended and the cliff began.
You can see one of the ski runs in the upper left.
On the cable car down. This guy actually had been riding his bike in town - with all the snow.
A very roomy cable car back down to Betten Talstation.
We then continue our train ride through the Furka pass (tunnel), over to Andermatt, then down the valley to catch the train to Lugano.
Amazing how much we saw and did in just 2 days!
I love Switzerland!
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