Escape to the Alps and discover the freshly snow-covered summits . Embracing the most beautiful peaks with your eyes. That's what I want you to experience this winter of 2025. Discover here my selection of the five most beautiful winter vantage points in the Alps. Each offers a unique perspective on the giants of rock and ice.
The hamlet of Findeln: majestic view of the Matterhorn
The hamlet of Findeln, close to Zermattis where you can admire the king of the Alps: the Matterhorn. This near-perfect pyramid of rock and ice transcends all boundaries in its beauty. Indeed, visitors from all over the world dream of one day seeing this iconic peak with their own eyes. As Théophile Gautier said to Victor Hugo, the Matterhorn "has the fascination of a woman and the power of a giant". From December to the first light of spring, the summit is decked out in snow and glistens under the timid rays of the winter sun. And it's from Findeln that I invite you to contemplate the Matterhorn. This hamlet, renowned for its gastronomy, offers the ideal location to enjoy a traditional Swiss meal at the foot of the Matterhorn. With no less than 42 Gault & Millau points, Findeln is a true culinary destination. In summer and winter alike, its restaurants promise a journey rich in Alpine flavours and delights.
Strolling through the hamlet of Findeln is already an extraordinary experience. The architecture and atmosphere transport you through its history. You'll discover little houses, barns and granaries built of dark larch wood. While today these structures are considered Valais jewels, in the past they were the homes of farmers. Before the Second World War, the inhabitants of Zermatt, known as Zermattois, brought their cattle to graze at Findeln in early summer. The farmers grew rye and barley and spread hay. On Sundays, families traditionally gathered for mass in the late-Gothic Jakobus der Ältere chapel.
The hamlet and surrounding area are a treasure trove for snowshoe hikers. One of the most beautiful routes is from Sunnegga to Riffelalp, via Findeln. A three-hour escape in the heart of the Zermatt valley, at an altitude of over 2000 metres. Kilometer after kilometer, the scenery changes. From frozen lakes to traditional villages, every view is a tribute to the glory of the Matterhorn. Far from the hustle and bustle of summer tourism, the tranquility of these cold months plunges you into a deeper, more intimate alpine atmosphere.
Eggishorn summit : at the foot of the Aletsch glacier
At the summit the Eggishorn in the bernese alps, nothing is the same. As if cut off from the human world, nature has reclaimed its rights. The Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau take center stage. At their feet, the Aletsch glacier stretches for over 20 kilometers and crowns the spectacle. For those staying in the bernese alps in winter, climbing the Eggishorn is a must. From the Aletsch Arena, the cable car takes you up to 2869 meters above sea level. Up there, you'll plunge into a world where only rock and ice dominate the landscape. Up there, the Aletsch glacier reveals its scale and its thousand-year-old history. Despite its immensity, it too is a victim of climate change. How much longer can we marvel at this ocean of ice? How many years do we have before the glacier turns into a pile of rocks? While it's still there, I'd encourage you to go and meet it from the Eggishorn, a viewpoint that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I'd also suggest taking a break at the Horli-Hitta hut. This traditional restaurant serves Swiss specialities with a magnificent panoramic view.
On the way up to the Eggishorn, you'll pass through the Aletsch Arena resort. In 2020, this ski area was crowned "Best Ski Resort" in the "Rest and Relaxation" category. After your trip to the Eggishorn, I invite you to explore the resort, whether on downhill skis or snowshoes. Alone or accompanied, you'll have the opportunity to contemplate, meditate and let your gaze wander among the 40 four-thousand-meter summits that rise up in front of you.
Faced with the splendor of this landscape, why not take to the skies? If you fancy a paragliding experience, the Aletsch Arena is the perfect place for you. From the heights, you'll be able to take in the BerneseOberland and its crystal-clear glaciers. You'll discover, from a new angle, a magical world that stretches beyond the horizon.
View of the Eiger from Kleine Scheidegg
I've photographed the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau so many times. So many times I've contemplated this triptych of the bernese alps. And I have to admit that one of the most striking views is from the Kleine Scheidegg. Located on the border between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, this pass is the meeting point of two cog railroads. From the pass, if you continue on the train, you'll reach the famous Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. But let's stop at Kleine Scheidegg. See the power of the Eiger's north face. See how the Mönch and the Jungfrau rise into the sky. The panorama is breathtaking. From the top of these summits, you can admire the most beautiful glaciers in the bernese alps.
This pass is well worth the detour. On the way to Kleine Scheidegg, you'll pass through alpine villages, meadows and plains, until you reach the foot of the BerneseOberland glaciers. Take time to breathe in the fresh air and gaze at the north face of the Eiger. Along with the Matterhorn and the Grandes Jorasses, the Eiger is one of the largest north faces in the Alps. Although this summit isn't one of those that break the 4,000-meter barrier, its verticality puts it in the big league.
From December onwards, you can admire this landscape from the ski resort. The Grindelwald ski area offers a variety of slopes to suit all levels of skier. For competitive skiers, the Lauberhorn hosts the Alpine Skiing World Cup every winter, with downhill and slalom events. Snow sports enthusiasts can also enjoy tobogganing and snowshoeing. From Kleine Scheidegg, a winter hiking trail leads to the Alpiglen inn, the starting point for the famous Eiger Run - a 3.5 km toboggan run.
The Mont-Fort summit : Verbier's jewel in the crown
In the shadow of the Valais Alps and their high summits lies a heavenly spot. A unique vantage point from which to observe the mountains at 360 degrees. From the French Alps to the Matterhorn, at 3328 meters above sea level, the view is unparalleled. As a photographer of the Alps, I've made several trips to the summit Mont-Fort to capture this landscape. But when I go there, I rarely come across skiers or mountaineers. Because I love the mountains when they're wild and raw. I love the peaks when they defy the whims of the weather, when the storms are raging in the heights. But in these conditions, I arm myself with patience. Often, I have to go back several times before I get the shot I've been search . For your part, I recommend that you go to the summit Mont-Fort in fine weather, so that your gaze can travel from peak to peak. To the north, you'll see the vaud alps and Bernese vaud alps and the Rhone Valley; to the south, the Val de Bagnes and the Combins massif; to the east, the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and Dent Blanche; and to the west, the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc. Contemplate the landscape, listen to it. Far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the mountains offer you a gateway to the essential.
In winter, Mont-Fort shines above the 4 Vallées ski area and the village of Verbier. Without a doubt, when you set foot here, you'll enjoy a stay in the heart of Switzerland's largest ski resort and Europe's third largest. 410 kilometers of ski runs for all levels and numerous freeride itineraries await you. Note that if you decide to stop off at the summit Mont-Fort, the descent is technical and demanding. For a unique experience, try a descent from Europe's highest zip line. With a view stretching from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn in the background, thrills are guaranteed.
The Aiguille du Midi and the Vallée Blanche: in the heart of the French Alps
Here we are in the French Alps, close to the Italian border. In the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, high above Chamonix, France's highest aerial tramway transports you into a world of ice and rock. At an altitude of 3842 metres, flora and fauna are rare. Only the small, high-altitude birds, the chocards, fly around you. At this altitude, oxygen becomes rarer and the body begins to feel the effects of the change in atmospheric pressure. But climbing the Aiguille du Midi is an exceptional experience. In front of you, Europe's highest summits seem within reach. Up there, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit and the Aiguille du Goûter reveal their most beautiful faces. But the protagonist of this scene is undoubtedly Mont Blanc, the king of the French Alps. Its singular snow dome shows off its dazzling beauty. In winter, it shows off its massive coat of snow to shine even brighter.
If you're a fan of adventure and freeriding, I recommend you try the Vallée Blanche. Stretching over 20 kilometers with a negative vertical drop of 2,000 meters, this descent takes you from the Aiguille du Midi to Chamonix. During the descent, you'll find yourself in the heart of the Mer de Glace, winding your way between seracs, and skiing past some of the most legendary summits : Mont Blanc du Tacul, Les Drus, La Verte and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. It's sure to be a memorable day. To experience the Vallée Blanche descent in the best possible conditions, I recommend that you be accompanied by a mountain guide. Mountain itineraries demand the utmost rigor. Calling on a professional will enable you to traverse the glacier with complete peace of mind. He'll choose the itinerary best suited to your level and reveal the secrets of the Mont Blanc massif. If you're not sure which guide to choose, read my advice on how to choose a mountain guide.
These five views of the mountains in winter invite you on the most beautiful of journeys between heaven and earth. The snow-covered Alps captivate our hearts and stir our souls. I'll never tire of photographing these giants, and then offering you a legacy of the Alps and their glittering glaciers.
