Set in the base of a valley, the village of Zermatt is bisected by a stream (which no doubt resembles a river when warmer weather melts the snow from the surrounding mountains). Here, the Monkey takes in a view of the stream and the peaks from one of the bridges that span the stream.

Climbing the steep slopes that encompass Zermatt, one can’t help but happen upon a chalet or ten. These simple, rustic dwellings combine a steep roofline with a sturdy wooden construction, and are something of a symbol of the Swiss (and alpine) way of life. Historically, chalets were summer residences for dairy farmers who brought their cattle to graze in the alpine hills, preserving their produce in the form of cheese and butter. Nowadays, the term is also applied to far ritzier affairs, but here the Monkey admires the workmanship of a traditional chalet.

The Monkey and his pal Schlepp chillaxing on their balcony in Zermatt. While the temperature was brisk, they couldn’t resist the chance to breathe the fresh mountain air.

This is not your everyday entryway… The Monkey prepares to take the 200 meter dash up the bizarre tunneled entrance to his Zermatt digs. The apartment was atop a good-sized dollop of alpine rock, and rather than building an elaborate stair-based ingress, the developers opted for the classic “huge-tunnel-bored-out-of-solid-stone” approach. The result: holiday accommodations a James Bond villain would be proud of.

Try as he might, the Monkey couldn’t escape the dominating presence of that Toblerone-shaped rock in the distance. Here, another view of the Matterhorn from a snowy street in Zermatt.

It’s a safe bet that many of the visitors who arrive by train in the car-less village of Zermatt come with visions of a skier’s paradise dancing in their wool-capped heads. And, fair enough: Zermatt is one of the world’s premier ski resorts, offering an endless variety of pistes and terrain, stunning views, excellent après-ski opportunities, and all the alpine idyll anyone can handle. Here, the Monkey watches some skiers arriving back in town after a day tearing up the pistes.

While finishing his last run down the piste, the Monkey stumbled upon this unforgettable view of Zermatt and the Matterhorn. Breathtaking.