At the limit at night: Anthamatten conquers Zermatt’s steep slope

It’s just after 4:00 p.m. 🕓 The winter day is coming to an end. Not so for snow groomer drivers. ⚙️ Their clocks tick differently. As soon as the sun ☀️ sets behind the Matterhorn 🏔️, their passion awakens: piste preparation. Romy Anthamatten is one of them. He has been a snow groomer driver for 22 years, nine of them in Zermatt. He knows exactly what he’s doing. It’s no coincidence that he is the one preparing the steep Howete slope. This roughly 100-meter-long wall requires great skill and extensive experience.

Choreography of the snow groomers

Before Romy Anthamatten gets into his machine ⚙️, he checks it. Is the chassis intact? What’s the general condition? Then it’s time to go. Green light from piste control. Anthamatten starts his snow groomer. “The machine is a real beast,” says the 62-year-old. “13 tons. 520 horsepower. I drive one of the most powerful snow groomers currently on the market.” This kind of power is essential for tackling the challenge of the Howete slope.

Alongside Anthamatten’s snow groomer ⚙️, the other heroes of the night 🌌 have also started their machines up on Blauherd. Like a choreographed dance, one machine after another heads to its designated area. “Nothing is left to chance. The order in which we leave the vehicle depot is precisely regulated,” says the experienced driver. 🔩 “I have to refuel my machine first.” But then his destination is clear: the Howete slope.

Passion and satisfaction

During a single night 🌌, Romy covers around 40 kilometers of piste. “We provide perfectly prepared slopes for our guests every day,” he says proudly, looking over the piste above Tuftern. The snow that winter sports enthusiasts push downhill is first powerfully pushed back uphill. In a second step, it is milled and turned into a soft, carpet-like surface. A constant up-and-down. Monotonous—and yet requiring intense concentration.

Before Anthamatten makes his steep descent on the Howete slope under the headlights, there’s time to reflect. Why this job? “I have a flair for machines.” 🔩 Maybe that’s why he builds heavy machinery with Lego Technic in his spare time. In summer ☀️, Romy also works in construction, where he handles heavy equipment daily. “In winter ❄️, after the slopes close, I enjoy the solitude. Alone in my machine, I experience the most beautiful sunsets in the mountains. 🌄 That’s pure satisfaction.” But there’s little time to enjoy it—Romy works with full focus. He doesn’t listen to music 🎶 ❌: “If the radio is on, I forget to listen.”

Anthamatten knows his terrain. You can feel it when riding with him in the snow groomer ⚙️. “In summer, I walk through the ski area with my Husky,” he says. “I know exactly where large rocks lie beneath the snow ❄️. I know every bump.” This knowledge has often helped him—especially in winters with little snow.

King of the steep slope

The Howete slope is getting closer. At Patrullarve, Anthamatten gets out and marks the piste section with a warning sign 🚧. “If, for example, ski tourers are still out at night 🌌 after the slopes have closed, we warn them—it can become dangerous.” He leaves nothing to chance and installs another warning sign shortly before the steep section 🚧—this time even with a rotating light. The Howete slope awaits.

Anthamatten stands at the edge with his 13-ton ⚙️ machine. Mountain on the left, the Howete slope on the right ❄️—100 meters long with a 40% gradient. Without a winch and a powerful machine, it’s impossible. At three different points, he secures his vehicle with the winch 🔩. Preparing one of Zermatt’s steepest slopes leaves no room for doubt. Anthamatten admits that overthinking could lead to fear ❌. In the beam of the headlights, he focuses on mastering the slope without letting doubt take over. Every move, every decision is precise. His work requires a deep understanding of the machine.

Careful maneuvers

Every night 🌌, Anthamatten pushes tons of snow uphill. Depending on snow conditions, it may immediately slide back down ❄️. “The slope is brutal. Sometimes I swear,” he admits. Maneuvering here requires sensitivity and impressive control. “You have to take your time and be patient. The slope won’t tolerate anything else.” He describes it as dancing with 13 tons ⚙️ on eggshells—every movement must be perfectly coordinated. That’s why he remains fully focused. His eyes track every movement of the winch and the 520-horsepower machine. There is no room for distraction, which is why he rarely takes passengers along.

The Howete slope is no place for beginners. Only the most experienced skiers 🎿 can master it. Anthamatten ensures that this section is in top condition day after day. “It’s a kind of teamwork of three M’s,” he says. “A combination of man, motor, and machine.” 🔩 And in that combination, Anthamatten is a master. 🏆