The Matterhorn, Switzerland in Winter

Welcome to the 162nd Metamorphosis Monday!

Greetings!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

For this Metamorphosis Monday, I have an outdoor “Before and After.”  Cornelia, who lives in Switzerland and sometimes shares a lovely tablescape for Tablescape Thursday, recently shared some amazing photos with me.  They are of the mountain cabin she and her husband own in Switzerland.  Cornelia told me during the summer the cabin can be reached by car, but during the winter, the only way you can reach it is by skiing in.  Fortunately, it’s located on the slopes so it’s easy to reach even in winter.

Cornelia said, “We have a very cold period at the moment – 17.1 Fahrenheit. We went skiing in the Canton of Grison and had a meeting with our architect because we plan to reconstruct our Mountain Cabin. We had to wait for more than half a year to get the building permit. When we got it it was to late to start with the building due to the snow. The cabin is in the middle of the slopes and you can reach it by car only when there is no snow. Otherwise you get there by ski! It is in the middle of the slopes and you get there very easily.”

Here’s a view of Cornelia’s mountain cabin in spring/summer.  I asked Cornelia about the roof…isn’t it interesting!  She said it’s made of tin and that the roofs are always made of tin or slate to stand up to the heavy snows.  The views…they are nothing short of amazing!

Ski Cabin in Switzerland

Cornelia said, “We are not allowed to tear it down because the cabin is not in a building zone. We have been given the permission to remold it and to add an annex. We will keep the frontage but inside we will build new rooms and a new ceiling.

The cabin dates back to 1835.  It was used during the summer as a stable in the basement where the farmer kept his cows or goats and had a small kitchen where he made cheese and slept. They used the upper floor to store hay.

We plan to use as much of the antique wood as we can. But there will be a complete new interior including a kitchen in the new annex, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, a family room and two utility rooms in the basement.  As soon as the snow melts we are starting the construction work.”

This is the view from the cabin.  Absolutely gorgeous!  Hopefully Cornelia will take lots of pics during the renovation and will share those with us.  🙂

Switzerland

Cornelia shared this pic and said, “The cows just came down for the Winter. They stay up in the alps all summer long.”  When I saw this picture below, I instantly thought of the book, Heidi!  Doesn’t it remind you of the illustrations in that wonderful book?

Switzerland Cow

Now, ready for the metamorphosis?  Wait until you see how this same area looks right now during wintertime!  Here’s Cornelia’s cabin in the winter!  Wow!  Now you can see why it’s only reachable by skis during the wintertime.

Ski cabin in Switzerland in winter

Amazing!  Mother Nature wins the award for the most dramatic metamorphosis, hands down!

Ski cabin in Switzerland in winter

A couple of weeks after skiing near their cabin, Cornelia and her family (hubby and two daughters) traveled to Zermatt where they skied in minus 24 degree weather at nearly 4000 meters!   While visiting in Zermatt, they took a helicopter tour around the Matterhorn.  Have you ever visited or seen the Matterhorn?

Wikipedia states, “The Matterhorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its summit is 4,478 metres (14,690 ft) high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps.[2] The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, face the four compass points.”

Wikipedia also states, “The Matterhorn is one of the deadliest peaks in the Alps: from 1865 – when it was first climbed – to 1995, 500 alpinists died on it.”  Folks can’t resist climbing it, apparently.  It has been successfully scaled on all sides now.

Cornelia shared the following photos with the descriptions below:

“View from the Gornergrat to the Matterhorn. You see the Matterhorn Railway in front.”

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

Here’s the view as Cornelia and her family approached the Matterhorn in the helicopter.

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

There it is…the Matterhorn!

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

 Amazing! When would you ever get a view this close of the Matterhorn!

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

Cornelia said, “The helicopter dropped us on the Rothorn where we skied down and had lunch with a friend in his cabin.”  The photo below shows Cornelia’s daughters and their Dad with The Matterhorn in the background.

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

Cornelia said this is an excellent restaurant on the slopes.  It’s named “Chez Vrony” (http://www.chezvrony.ch/start.html).  Cornelia said it was their “favourite place to eat and the cuisine is absolute top.”  Imagine dining with this magnificent view!

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

A few extra photos Cornelia shared:

The view from the Matterhorn Glacier to Gornergrat…

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

This picture is from Matterhorn ski paradise.  Cornelia said, “You see over to the Italian Alps. It is about 3365 meters on the glacier.”

 

 

One last view of the Matterhorn…

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

 

 

Cornelia, thanks sooo much for sharing these wonderful photos and stunning views.  They were absolutely breathtaking!

Looking forward to all the Before and Afters!

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Comments

  1. I’ve been on the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland. Does that count? 🙂 These photos are amazing, breathtaking!!

  2. FABBY'S LIVING says

    Totally amazing and like you say…BREATHTAKING!! Thank you Susan for sharing this wonderful post about Cornellia’s cabin. Thank you for hosting MM and having me. Have a super week. FABBY

  3. Robin Boyd Jackson says

    These photos are breathtaking!!! Girl, I really did have a few tears while I was looking through them. I used to live in Colorado – I know it’s not the same but still – I sooooo miss the mountains. Thanks for making my Monday morning! also – thanks for hosting!

  4. Glenda/MidSouth says

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.

  5. Bettsi McComb says

    Oh my goodness! Yes, Mother Nature’s metamorphosis definitely beats out my slipcover! I was a huge Heidi fan- read all the books multiple times. Cornelia is right there! So cool! Thanks for sharing these, Susan!

  6. Hi Susan, You have done it again! What a dream blog. I have a friend who is going to Switzerland in March to visit family and I’m sending her this link. I would like to thank you for all your hard work to make your blog so interesting and beautiful. You are truly blessed with a gift for writing. Your blogging friend, Betty @ My Cozy Corner

  7. Blue Creek Home says

    These photos are crazy gorgeous! They look 3D! Thanks for hosting Rhonda

  8. That would be my definition of breathtaking for sure! What a beautiful place to live.

  9. Wow and wow again! I have seen some of the Alps in the summer, although not the Matterhorn. Switzerland is the most beautiful places in the world, and certainly the cleanest! Convey my thanks to Cornelia for these photos. It will be interesting to see the reno on the cabin, so I hope she will share.

  10. Betsy@coastal-colors says

    Susan, this is amazing! I could sit by the fire and look at those views all day! Wow! Thanks for hosting another great link party!

  11. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    Wow- that is beautiful! I linked up the cottage bathroom makeover I just finished- thanks for hosting! 🙂

  12. What breathtaking snaps, Susan! I love it when you show us Cornelia’s home. Can’t wait to see the reveal! Thanks for hosting! Be a sweetie, shelia 😉

  13. Beautiful! Zermatt is my favorite place, we loved it there! I didn’t have the nerve to go up but my husband and daughter did. They said it was amazing! Cornelia you are so lucky!

  14. Wow the pictures are stunning. I reminds me of the movie “Heidi”. What a wonderful place. Would love to go there…..maybe in my dreams.

  15. Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    Wow, that just transported me far away from our early spring, I love those photos. Thank you for hosting! stayathomeista.com

  16. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    Wow, thank you so much for the great before and after. I lived in Switzerland for one year and visited the Matterhorn once…but not in a helicopter. Love bringing back all of the memories. Thanks so much…and for hosting too!! Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

  17. I was there during my honeymoon in 1985. It is absolutely gorgeous and the air is so fresh and pristine. Loved seeing her pictures!!!

  18. Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says

    That is one place I have always wanted to visit! Switzerland is gorgeous!

  19. Nann from At Nann's Table says

    Susan these photos are amazing. I felt like I went on a beautiful vacation sitting here at my computer. Thanks for hosting another great party! Its always fun to participate! Nann

  20. Calypso In The Country says

    Oh, just breathtaking! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos and thank you for hosting! -Shelley

  21. DallyGirl@Lifeat2810 says

    What an amazing posts full of even more amazing pictures! How special that she shared these photos and the natural beauty is surreal! Very special! Thanks for hosting too btw 😉

  22. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    I think I’d rather visit Switzerland in the summer as opposed to the winter. Big snowy slopes scare me a little … although the photos are beautiful. Thanks for hosting!

  23. Thanks for hosting a great party as always!

  24. Beautiful pictures! This is my first time linking up~how fun!

  25. The Hell on Heels Housewife says

    Wow, breathtaking photos!! Appreciate you sharing! Thank you for hosting…excited to linking up again this week! Maggie

  26. Very beautiful photos.

  27. Jo @ To a Pretty Life says

    “Breathtaking” is the perfect word for those photos! Thanks for sharing them! It looks like such a snug little cabin, summer or winter!

  28. Cornelia and the Alps just may be the most amazing post you have ever had! The cabin looks like it might be 8′ x 10′ so I can’t imagine what all they plan to do. And another question I had, how in the world do they FIND this cabin in the winter, in the snow, if they have to ski to it? Hey I am just a Southern gal, what do I know?? This is why Scandinavians are such a hardy bunch!!

  29. Heaven's Walk says

    Oh my gosh, Susan! What a totally amazing and breathtaking post today! I just LUV seeing photos from bloggy friends in other countries. Places where I’ll never see in person. So taking a little vacation via their photos is the next best thing. Thank you for sharing these today!!!! 🙂 xoxo laurie

  30. Lizabeth @ Infuse With Liz says

    WOW! Those are awesome pictures! That’s as close as I’ll ever get to the Matterhorn! How lucky they are to have taken the helicopter flight and seen it up close like that! Their cabin is awesome! It must be made fairly well if that roof can hold that snow! I enjoyed these photos- Thanks for sharing!

  31. Looks cold; glad we had a sunny 60’s kind of day here. Thanks for hosting – the party sure gets large in a hurry.

  32. Thank you for hosting!

  33. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    Thank you so much for the great pictures and text about the Alps.Thanks for hosting. Your post on making a button was great – I made 1 for me and 3 for friends. Very clear instructions.

  34. ❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ says

    Absolutely breathtaking is an understatement! Wow! That little cabin…over 170 years old… must be extremely stout and holding up so well in those extreme conditions all these years. Thank you, Cornelia, for sharing your stunning photos and beautiful country.

  35. Amazing pictures!

  36. Those pictures are so amazing. Thanks for sharing them. I think that’s about as close to the alps as I’ll ever get. Awesome scenery. Can’t believe the difference in summer and winter. So glorious!

  37. Thanks for sharing the awesome pictures. They remind me of my love affair with Switzerland that started when I was in the 7th grade, in the 50’s. I wrote a report and put a picture of the Matterhorn on the cover. 🙂 About 20 years ago, my hubby and I got to visit Switzerland while on a tour. Our favorite place was a little village called Murren where there are no motorized vehicles and can only be reached by cog (?) train up the mountain. It was in the Jungfrau area and the mountain we went to via tram was the Schilthorn. Absolutely breathtaking views! A trip I will always remember! Thanks for the memories and I’ll be looking forward to seeing Cornelia’s remodel.

  38. Sue@Uniquely Chic says

    Wow….amazing! Thanks for sharing these pics….can’t wait to see the remodel.

  39. I thought of Heidi too. I’m wondering how you ski with a bag of groceries.

  40. JackieInM167 says

    Thank you so much for hosting and sharing the awesome photos!

  41. shellyandrade says

    These pictures are absolutely stunning! God’s country, that’s for sure!! Some really cool link ups this week again, thanx for hosting:) Shelly

  42. I love traveling with Cornelia and you! Beautiful pictures. Wouldn’t it be exciting if Cornelia could come visit you and you go visit her!? And of couse, take us along! I experienced a similar experience in Alaska. We landed via a small plane on a glacier on Mount McKinley. It was awesome! Your blog is special, Susan. You are an interesting and fun person.

  43. These are some of the most beautiful breathtaking pictures I have ever seen. Incredible.

  44. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    What stunning photos…thank you Cornelia and Susan for sharing them with all of us. Blessings, Linda

  45. Beautiful pictures, and the very thought I had after seeing the first to pictures and before getting to that point in reading was I could just see Heidi running to her grandfather’s house. Gorgeous.

  46. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch) says

    Oh, I’ve been to the Matterhorn!!!!! (At Disneyland! LOL!) 😉 Best, Gloria

  47. We hiked there for several days last summer. It would be such a peaceful place to spend the summer. I loved the sound of cowbells and there are wonderful hiking trails all over the mountains.

  48. Susan breathtaking photos.Thank you for hosting.

  49. Donata @ DK's Craft Cafe says

    Thank you so much for such a beautiful post and for hosting this lovely party!

  50. I think Cornelia leads a charmed life over there! I’m so glad that she shares the bits & pieces of her world with you & thus, US, as I never would have seen it otherwise. Amazing photos!!

  51. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    Great cabin, Cornelia! I can’t wait to see the remodel.

  52. HI Susan, Thanks so much for hosting and for sharing those breathtaking pictures! Marianne 🙂

  53. Shirley Hailstock says

    These are fantastic pictures. I love mountains. It must be something in the universe that’s falling in place, but I was just thinking if I had to decide between a shore (beach) house and one in the mountains, I’d choose the mountains. This was weird, because I love the water and need to be near it. But mountains are so majestic. And Switzerland. I’d love to visit There. thanks for sharing.

  54. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    Wow! Amazing views, Susan! Thanks for sharing and hosting!…hugs…Debbie

  55. anangloinquebec says

    Oh my goodness, those photos bring back some memories for me. I lived in Switzerland and worked for a year at a restaurant in the Alps only accessible by skis or foot. I used to love having my coffee on the terrasse, after I got the goats off, I would sit and take in the view. Those are great shots of the Matterhorn. Thanks so much for sharing these and stirring up some great memories for me!!

  56. Wow. It makes me think of “The Sound of Music”, too. Awesome. Thanks for hosting.

  57. Incredible views! They must be much hardier folk than I, because I read only accessible by skis in winter, and thought, “What?!” I might not be able to hack it, but the views are stunning! Thanks for sharing.

  58. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    Wow, those pictures are breathtaking! Isn’t it great that you have readers from all over the world that give you access to images like this?! Thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting this great party.

  59. Janel@hatingmartha says

    Beautiful beautiful beautiful! Wow though…skiing in? Imagine the work of clearing the door, lighting a fire and everything when you finally get in the cabin. But that landscape.

  60. Okio B Designs says

    I actually got butterflies in my stomach looking at those high up photos. Scared of heights. Yikes! Jeanine

  61. Wow! Those photos are amazing!

  62. Wow! Those pictures are incredible, what a charming and cozy cabin. Thanks so much for hosting Susan.

  63. OMGoodness, what a stunning setting. I’ve always loved rustic cabins. Thanks for hosting.

  64. Lissa (Bellenza) says

    I totally agree with you that Mother Nature wins the “best metamorphosis award”! Just see the transformation from summer to winter views of this cabin!

  65. Amazing pictures! Looks beautiful! Thanks for hosting! makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com

  66. Wow…the views. How fantastic to be able to take the morning coffee or tea looking out over the countryside….breath-taking.

  67. How to Nest for Less says

    Wow, absolutely stunning photographs!! Just beautiful what nature can create. Thanks so much for sharing and hosting again this week!

  68. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    Thanks for hosting, Susan!

  69. Designs By Pinky says

    Susan, what amazing, gorgeous pictures!!!! Cornelia’s cabin is wonderful but will be spectacular when redone! Thanks to her for sharing this. XO, Pinky

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