 150th Anniversary Alpine Extravaganza in Zermatt
22-24 June 2007 Packed House for Zermatt Celebration
* * * LATEST ZERMATT CELEBRATION NEWS * * *
Good news for those all those hoping to come to the Zermatt celebrations but feared all the places had already been snapped up. The Alpine Club has been able to secure an additional venue for the Saturday night 150th Celebration Dinner just a few minutes from the main venue. Confusingly, both venues are called the Riffelberg, the main one is the Hotel Riffelberg, the additional venue is the Restaurant Riffelberg.
The additional venue has a capacity of a further 200, so it will in fact be a large event in itself. The catering (and the price) is the same at both venues. The Friday evening reception has also been moved to extend capacity, and we can cater for up to 400 people. But we are filling places rapidly! Interest in both the Reception and Dinner has been overwhelming. Steve Goodwin and Zermatt Tourism have been working hard to ensure we can include as many AC members and guests in the festivities as possible. * * * * * *
ZERMATT ALPINE WEEK 16-24 June 2007
Members of the Alpine Club are invited to join events of Zermatt's Alpine week. This includes a number of guided walks and climbs, and a lecture by Peter Habeler on Thursday 21st June.
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Where better to celebrate 150 years of the Alpine Club than Zermatt - described by one past president as "the mountaineer's true home". This is shaping up to be the big party of our anniversary year. Many members are of course planning to get into the mountains, with quite a few hopes inevitably focused on the Matterhorn. So great has been the interest in a return to Zermatt - echoing the Club's centenary celebrations there - that by mid-January it looked as if we would have to put up the 'house full' sign. However we have been able to play with the venues and find extra capacity. There is now room for plenty more members and guests. So don't miss it! Zermatt is rolling out the proverbial red carpet for its AC friends. We will be joined for the weekend by a host of friends from across the international climbing community, including Walter Bonatti, Kurt Diemberger and John Harlin III, editor of the American Alpine Journal, and leaders of sister alpine clubs. DOWNLOAD INFO SHEET (pdf)
Fri 22 June: Reception
Evening reception originally planned for the Monte Rosa Hotel but now moved to the nearby Triftbachhalle which has twice the capacity - a maximum of 400 guests. Catering will be by the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof. If it proves to be a fine, warm evening we may in fact hold this event in the gardens of the Zermatterhof. The evening is due to begin with the unveiling of a stone or plaque marking the 150 years of friendship between the AC and Zermatt and will also be attended by the press and civic leaders.
The cost will £35 per head, including buffet and wine.
Sat 23 June: Dinner at The Riffelberg Hotel.
The venue is the Riffelberg Hotel, high above the town and reached by the Gornergrat railway. The hotel can seat a maximum of 200 in adjoining rooms and these places have already been filled. However, through the hotel, we have now secured a nearby restaurant - 4 mins walk away - which can seat another 200 diners. The hotel will do the catering for both venues and we are investigating the possibility of a PA system so that those in the additional restaurant are not spared the speeches. If it is a fine evening we can all mingle on the Riffelberg terrace with its magnificent panorama to the Matterhorn., It is certain to be an unforgettable evening. A late train has been promised for taking guests back to Zermatt at the end of the evening. It is of course possible to book to stay in the hotel for the night. Cost of dinner £30. Dress: "smart casual". Sun 24 June: Morning service at the English Church.
St Peter's is known as a parish church of the Alpine Club, with not a few of our members buried or commemorated there. The service will start at 10am.
Climbing and Walking
Along with the parties, the Zermatt event is also a chance to get into the mountains early in the season. Whilst many will already be making their own arrangement, Zermatt guides are open to support activities members might wish to undertake. If you have any requests or thoughts for organised activities, including before and after the weekend, please let Steve Goodwin know.
Steve will act as a co-ordinator and liaise with the Zermatt guides.
Many members are planning to extend their stay in order to climb. Some will be moving to the campsite at Randa, and others likely to stay in the Bahnhof Hotel.
How to BookTo book, please print the on-line booking form and send it, with a cheque and SAE, to: Zermatt Celebrations, Alpine Club, 55/56 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3QF. AccommodationMany Zermatt hotels are offering a 15% discount to members attending the celebrations. The list will be available separately, and will be emailed to all those who express an interest in coming. Booking of accommodation and travel must be done by members themselves and not through the Club. Travel deals:Rail Transfers: The Swiss Travel Ticket is the easiest and cheapest option to travel from Geneva, Zurich or Basel airports to Zermatt, vaild for any train connection on a given day and return within one month. 1st class £86; 2nd £57. Switzerland Tourism is offering a 5% DISCOUNT if booked through their London office. Switzerland Travel Centre, 1st Floor, 30 Bedford St, London WC2E 9ED. Tel: 00800 100 200 30; fax: 00800 100 200 31. www.stc.co.uk Mention you are an Alpine Club Member when booking by phone or on the website put Alpine Club Member in the Notes section. STC are giving 5% discount on all rail options and passes, not just the direct transfers from airport to Zermatt.
Stephen Goodwin is the contact for all Zermatt enquiries.
tel:01768 881077
Other contacts you may find useful:
Bahnhof Platz 5
CH-3920
T: 020 7845 7681
F: 020 7845 7699
T: +41 (0)27 966 24 60 |
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ALPINE CLUB,
55/56 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3QF |
