What a difference a day makes! The morning started with breathtaking views of Matterhorn from our room before heading down for an early breakfast. Keely's lesson started at 9 at the top of the Sonnega lift. After a quick bite we skied to the train that took us underground up the mountain! Keely went off with 3 other trainees and a trainer for a morning of learning good ski technique in the fresh powder.

The views were absolutely spectacular. It feels higher than the Rocky Mountains (even though it really isn't) because the tree line is quite a bit lower than it is in some of the places we have skied in Colorado. It is much more open and desolate looking. Additionally, you are completely surrounded by other mountains, and many of them are higher than the ones in the ski resort. The gondola rides are amazing just for the views, even if you aren't skiing!

Kevin, Jason and Rachelle enjoyed their morning much more than the previous day since they could actually see where they were going! Keely enjoyed her lesson, learned a few tricks, and also a few good runs that weren't too difficult. Everyone met up for lunch at the "Blue Bar" mid-mountain overlooking Matterhorn. There was an outdoor DJ and the place was packed. The food was great, the views were amazing, and the music made for a very fun atmosphere. We did not partake in a bottle of champagne or cigar like some of the Euorpeans did…because we felt that that might not be the safest decision when needing to ski back down the mountain!

In the afternoon everyone skied together, which was very fun. The conditions did get a little "bumpy" (read: moguls everywhere) since there was so much snow and many of the runs aren't groomed. This made the going a little slower for Keely and Rachelle, but Kevin and Jason were very patient and everyone got to the bottom successfully. We were able to ski off the mountain right onto the road for our hotel. So for the runs we did today, our hotel was ski-in/ski-out!

Instead of taking a rest we walked downtown for a quick snack and landed on some Apple Strudel. Apparently this is the dessert to get in Zermatt. It was quite delicious. Next we walked to Bar 55 for an après-ski beverage and it was a pretty neat place. There was a fire blazing and right when we sat down they served us some very thinly shaved smoked ham (basically the Swiss version of prosciutto). That was perfect - we only wished we'd brought some bread and just made a sandwich! Next we walked across the street to Sparky's for some dinner. We knew it would be a good place when we sat down and they were playing ski videos on the screen. Kevin and Jason couldn't take their eyes off of it! They were very inspiring for the boys and made Keely and Rachelle glad they were done skiing!

Apparently we were much hungrier than your typical Swiss skier. We ordered first and after we finished, the waiter took everyone's menu assuming the order was for the whole table! Jason explained we were from the US and that we were going to be eating a lot more than they were probably used to! Two appetizers and one main dish for two people doesn't seem totally crazy does it?! Finally, we walked back to the hotel. It's the latest we have made it out so far - 9 PM - and we are ready for bed!

Keely