The White Family from Boston
The White family, a family of entrepreneurs from Boston USA, plan one or two big trips with the whole family every year. The brothers and their spouses, as well as three children and partners, are all part of the family. All members of the extended family are enthusiastic winter sports fans. So, it is hardly surprising that the Whites were one of the first proud holders of the IKON Pass since its launch. The IKON Pass, which is particularly popular in America, gives access to 44 prestigious ski resorts around the world. Since 2022, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Zermatt, which has won several awards as the best ski resort in the world, has also been included. Other European resorts taking part are Chamonix in France, the Dolomiti in Italy, the sophisticated Kitzbühel in Austria and the up-and-coming Grandvaliria in Andorra. For the Whites, the initial listing of Zermatt as a new IKON Pass destination as of 2022 was a decisive reason to travel to Switzerland. The fact that their friends and acquaintances raved about Zermatt, the skiing around the Matterhorn and the great restaurants, made their desire for a Swiss ski holiday all the greater. No sooner said than done, and the Mama Family had the privilege of hosting the White Family at the Hotel Zermama. We had a great conversation with father, Mark White, and his daughter Erin White:
What is your best experience with the IKON Pass so far?
Big Sky in the USA is their favourite destination so far. Everything there is state of the art. Big Sky scores with clean snow, great food and is a very good location. Erin agrees and adds the practical "driving distance".
Travel Destination Zermatt: Has Zermatt always been on your bucket list or only since you saw it offered by IKON Pass?
Actually, Mark had been toying with the idea of booking a ski holiday in Zermatt for 10-15 years. So, Zermatt and the Matterhorn have clearly been on his bucket list. Since the destination is included in the annual purchase of the IKON Pass, the wish has become a reality. The family used the IKON Pass for six ski days in Zermatt and spent five ski days in Colorado in the USA earlier this year. Another of Mark's daughters also went to Chamonix in France and experienced Mont Blanc first hand. All thanks to the IKON Pass offer.
On the ski slopes, the Whites are well informed and have reservations at renowned mountain restaurants such as Chez Vrony, Findlerhof but also the Adlerhitta in Findeln.
Why did you choose Hotel Zermama for your accommodation in Zermatt?
The booking and the plan to travel to Zermatt came relatively spontaneously. Two months before arriving in Switzerland, we booked flights and the Hotel Zermama.
As a large family, the main focus is to spend the holiday together in the same hotel or accommodation. Both AirBnb's and hotels were considered. Due to the wide range of hotels in Zermatt, the choice was quickly made that the Whites would opt for the comfort of a hotel. Through prominent listings on Google and an attractive website, the Whites’ daughters chose Hotel Zermama. The deciding factor was the ideal location, so that everything is within "walking distance", which is clearly the case with Hotel Zermama. But considerations such as a beautiful and modern hotel with character were also mandatory in the decision making. Erin considers private whirlpools to be a unique selling point and likes to book a hotel simply because of that. The hotel's own restaurant with bar and après-ski was also a welcome detail for the Whites.
Erin's personal 3 key criteria for Zermama hotel bookings
1. hot tub
2. a good location, right in front of the ski lift
3. a bar or, ideally, après-ski facilities
In principle, Mark White particularly likes "ski in and ski out" hotels. However, in the case of Zermatt, this would mean living in the ski resort and in seclusion from the charming Zermatt village life, which is out of the question for him. Mark emphasises the ideal location of Hotel Zermama, as the ski station is just across the road from the hotel and very close to a "ski in ski out".
Would you travel to Europe again for a skiing holiday? Why?
For the Whites, who live on the East Coast of the USA in Boston, there is no significant difference in distance between a trip to the West Coast or to Europe. That's why new IKON Pass destinations like Chamonix in France are very popular with the Whites. However, the family particularly likes it in Zermatt and accordingly a trip to Zermatt again is definitely on the cards. According to Mark, the IKON Pass 2023 was very well used with the 6 ski days in Zermatt and the 5 days in Colorado.
Let's call it a great season!