Robert C.
Yelp
Before this trip, the closest I've come to the Matterhorn is riding the Matterhorn bob sled at Disneyland, the first tubular steel continuous track rollercoaster, built in 1959.
Had to catch a city bus to ride from the Zermatt Bahnhof next to the Gonergrat Bahn in Zermatt, and go one mile across town to the MGP station. Could see the Matterhorn from the town.
Went early in the day, as clouds were picking up, and would soon block any view of the Matterhorn. Checked live cam views on the internet, as costs CHF110 ( $113) per adult, no senior discount.
Went on an 8 passenger gondola used in the winter as a ski lift. Could see a few people parking cross country bikes in the gondola, as they didn't have specialized cross country bike carriers like at NorthStar in the summer.
First of many stations going on the gondola, in brilliant sunshine. Heavy forests give way to green pastures, with the receding town in the background.
As we go higher, we can see in a distance snow capped mountains, and the occasional glacier. At the last station have to transfer to a cable car, capable of seating 22 people.
At the summit, we have viewing platform of 14 glaciers in the French, Italian and Swiss alps. The Matterhorn is right next door, peeking out of the clouds, with a giant construction crane platform in the foreground. This place is windy and cold, but with a few die hards in shorts and sandals to save on baggage weight!
Final destination is the Glacier Paradis, the highest Glacier Palace in the world, reachable through a 200 yard long ice cave, with some dozen ice sculptures, some in color. Ice cave with slide for those who don't mind a wet bottom. Me, I wouldn't dare, as would run the risk of getting stuck in the narrow by ways of the slide!
They have a restaurant serving hot cooked food, and the infamous CHF2 fee automatic bathroom. Nothing to prevent you from holding the door open for the next person in line, and collecting a CHF1 fee. Of course you could ride down to the next station and use the free bathrooms!