Matterhorn cross country skiing trails extended

People who plan to stay in a luxury chalet in Zermatt will find that there is far more to the resort than just challenging downhill slopes.

Although the destination has a great reputation for the large number of pistes it has, Zermatt is also very appealing to other winter sports enthusiasts, especially those who prefer to test their endurance on tough cross country trails.

Tourism chiefs have revealed that the extensive network of Matterhorn cross country skiing routes has been extended for the 2012 season, with tracks that were used in the 1989 Junior World Championships being reopened.

The new trail can be found on the eastern side of the Täschgufer and it covers a total distance of 2km.

According to tourism officials in the area, the course is "technically demanding and perfectly rounds off the range of trails on offer".

Heavy snowfall in the Matterhorn region during the run-up to Christmas has resulted in perfect ski conditions throughout the resort.