Zermatt, Blauherd
The Sunnegga express is also your base camp to higher altitude skiing in this frame of the total Zermatt picture.
From this point most skiers will surely try the skiing from the Blauherd, at 2,500m. A four-person gondola will be your transport to this region, and besides being the arrival point from the National lifts, it is also a good option to some of the middle and more difficult runs in the area. One of the
more popular is the moderately difficult Standard run back to Sunnegga. From Blauherd the Paradise run to Findeln is sunny and fairly difficult. In springtime local skiers leave this run until lunchtime, ski it then, and enjoy lunch in Findeln. The reason? It is mostly hard packed in the morning at that time of year and best left until the snow softens a bit.
Again, from Blauherd, one can match wits with the difficult National slope to the bottom of the lift bearing the same name. This is one of the most attractive runs for good skiers, and because of its shelter from the forest in the second half, it is even possible to ski the during bad visibility conditions. The National is a classic black piste and presents quite a challenge. An easier option is the Tuftern piste from Blauherd to Tufternalp and then back to the Patrullen (National) lift. This run is interesting because of the old wooden animal huts and a nice restaurant on the way down.
From Blauherd, skiers can catch the gondelbahn down to Gant. In April this is often the best option to reach the Platte and Triftji T-bars, where you will surely find the best late season snow conditions on very difficult slopes. At the bottom of the Platte lift there is a restaurant with a great sun terrace and from the Triftji T bar you can make the link to the Gornergrat ski area. And, as the saying goes, the fun has just begun.