Zermatt, Switzerland (Tuesday, May 11, 2004) - Thanks to Zermatt’s new Furggsattel six-seat chairlift on the glacier it is now once again possible to ski 365 days a year on the world’s highest summer ski area – which also boasts one of the world’s biggest skiable vertical drops in the summer months, even compared with southern hemisphere resorts.

A smaller-than-usual summer ski area is currently in operation through June 25th while maintenance work is conducted on the Klein Matterhorn cable car. On the 26th of June the full Klein Matterhorn summer ski area will open again. On the 10th of July a “Season Opening Party” is planned in the Gravity Park.

A number of major events planned through the summer include the Zermatt Marathon, a mountain marathon starting at St. Niklaus (1116 m or 3661 feet) in the deepest valley in Switzerland and finishing at Riffelberg (2582 m or 8471 feet) over a course with an altitude difference of 1762m or 5781 feet.

On the 15th of August, the Folklore Festival includes a traditional folklore parade, the themes of which are the customs, traditions and culture of Zermatt and the Valais region.

On the 22nd Aof ugust, the 22nd International “Matterhornlauf” is staged. Top runners from Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Great Britain and many other countries will participate in this uphill race from Zermatt to Schwarzsee.