Avalanche threat cuts off Zermatt for second time in two weeks

Access to the Swiss ski resort of Zermatt is again closed off for the second time this month with tourists being transported off the mountain via helicopter. "Due to avalanche risk, the road and the railway line between Zermatt and Täsch are closed. There is no danger for guests and locals," a statement from Zermatt Tourism said on Sunday. Roads were closed beginning Saturday evening, and by 10:00pm the railway service was shut down.  + Maximum avalanche risk flagged for southern Switzerland + Zermatt ski resort cut off due to avalanche risk Shuttle helicopter flights have been arranged by Air Zermatt beginning at noon on Sunday to transport guests from the resort, where it's estimated that 9,000 people are currently staying. On Sunday afternoon, swissinfo.ch journalist Susan Misicka shot a video of the situation on the ground, shortly before tourists heard that the helicopter tickets were nearly sold out. Some had been waiting in sub-freezing temperatures for more than two ...