One part of the palace has an orange back-lighting. This orange glow gives the ice a warm and also a very special feel.
I will start with a picture of the entrance to the Ice Palace. It is located at around 3810 meters above see level. The entrance is rounded, like a tube, and takes you under the ground. As you can see, the architecture it is more functional than esthetic.
A closer view of Hohtälli (3286m) station. It is connecting Gornergrat with Stockhorn, Rote Nase and Gant.
This photograph is taken at the same moment as the second picture above, just the Matterhorn peak is zoomed a little bit to give you an idea how hard it must be to climb this holy of “holies” …
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
Albert Einstein
This photograph might give you an idea how the Gornergrat (on the right) is situated. It is also connected with Hohtälli via cable car. On the photo you can also see a little black box between the two stations – that is Stockhorn.
Their intention was to have various ambient light color in different sections of the ice cave. I think in the end it was a good idea and makes the palace charming!
I took this one during the afternoon. The funny thing is that I saw a very similar photo on a postcard down in a Zermatt shop. I guess we both intended to have a larch on the foreground :~) …
This is a view of the Gorner glacier with the peak of Cima di Iazzi (3804m) hiding little bit left of the center..
Snowflakes are one of natures most fragile things, but look what they can do when they stick together.
Unknown
This is the highest ski lift in Europe, possibly in the whole world. It will take you to Gobba di Rollin enabling you to reach magnificent 3899 meters above sea level with any hiking. It operates only in the summer.
Weisshorn is yet another mighty mountain that can be found in the Valais canton. Weisshorn is a 3 ridged pyramid with its peak at 4506m! Pennine Alps do really have impressive peaks.
On this picture I focus on the Testa Grigia (3480m). You can see the end station of a cable car and also a few restaurants that are pretty cheap if you take into account how high you have your lunch served!
The cable car to Klein Matterhorn ends in the mountain, fabulous piece of engineering! When you get of the cable car up there, you have to cross the mountain with a tunnel that goes through the rock!
The mountains are calling and I must go.
John Muir
Finally the front view of the wall – you can also see the position of the flowers that could be seen above.
This is how Mont Blanc can be seen from the Klein Matterhorn viewpoint. There was a lot of snow blown into the air by wind, so the photo is not that clear and pretty.
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
A detail of the architecture (Zermatt’s church).
The mountains will always be there, the trick is to make sure you are too!
Hervey Voge
Magnificent place, imposing atmosphere, majestic view, splendid memories!
On this picture you can see a typical image of a very strong WEST wind. The cable-cars and chairlifts were closed with only one T-lift open in the Matterhorn glacier paradise.
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.
T.S. Eliot
One of the first things you will see after the entrance is a big sculpture of Buddha. On this photo you can see its profile.
Not all that wander are lost.
Unknown
A typical local inhabitant living in the Matterhorn surroundings. Usually you can see their foot (hoof) prints but rarely the animal.. :~) (Shot at 300mm effective focal length.)
I really love nature and photography and when I have a bit of luck one photo can make me happy for weeks and months. This lovely bird is pretty much the case and it has been nesting on my desktop as a wallpaper for a while..
Inside you can also find a wall made of transparent ice bricks. Each brick has a its own charm!
Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.
Gary Snyder
.. not much to add here!