Glittering cristals: Lumi brings a riot of colours to Zermatt in winter

The Lumi shine most brightly at the station and village squares. This is where the glittering glacier cristals twinkle in clear blue, soft violet and warm orange, casting their light in every direction. The Christmas tree on the station square is a real highlight. Adorned with 1,500 glacier cristals, it is a dazzling centrepiece and attracts onlookers from far and wide. There is a life-size Lumi on the village square that you can walk right into. Once inside, you are surrounded by a kaleidoscope of light and colours. There are also chandeliers all over Zermatt, and their glittering Lumi gemstones lend the village a unique, enchanting atmosphere.

The Lumi's mysterious source

The Lumi are no mere decoration – they are magical crystals that originate from deep in the Matterhorn's interior. There, in the complex ice structures of the Matterhorn, the evening mountain glow is transformed into an unforgettable play of light. The warm red light of the sun refracts into spectral colours that are captured in the Lumi and locked inside it forever. This light now shines in the dark and makes the Lumi glow in different colours, which vary depending on the viewing angle and incidence of light: the Lumi are a living image of the magic of light in Zermatt and can only be experienced in the area around the Matterhorn, which is famous among mineral collectors. Under high pressure, the Lumi shape becomes an octahedron with broken corners.

The “dancing light” of Zermatt

There are many legendary secrets surrounding the Lumi in Zermatt, which create an air of mystery. The mountaineers of days gone by affectionately call Lumi the “dancing light”. The Lumi belong to no one and yet to everyone – a symbol of the timeless beauty of the mountain world and the magic that surrounds Zermatt. Now it has finally been possible to bring the Lumi into the village and make them accessible to everyone. The Lumi remain in Zermatt all year round but they come to the fore during Advent to brighten up the cold season and enchant visitors with a unique spectacle.

A bright future for Zermatt

Zermatt in winter is a unique experience and Lumi helps to make this time unforgettable. Whether it's a stroll through the festively lit village or a cosy break by the twinkling Christmas tree, Lumi invites everyone to discover the beauty and magic of Zermatt in a whole new way.

Our experience of Lumi this winter is just the beginning. In the coming years, the light of Lumi will spread even further throughout Zermatt. There are plans for residents, businesses and guests to be able to install Lumi in their homes and contribute to increasing the sea of winter lights in Zermatt – making it even more of a radiant winter wonderland, where the light and colours of Lumi will brighten up the cold season and create a very special atmosphere.