I love the drive from Geneva to Zermatt: a long transition from moderate temperatures to ski station weather. The drive around Lake Geneva is stunning, passing Lausanne and Montreux with distant ski resorts across the other side of the lake. The real changes come as we catch our first glimpse of the cog railway, a beautiful red snake-like train that winds through the valleys and mountains. We are heading to Tasch, where a huge underground car park sits. Everyone drops their cars off, grabs a baggage trolley, and transfers ski contents from the car to the trolley. Then it’s to the station for the cog rail to Zermatt. The journey takes about 30 minutes.  It’s a slow climb, winding around the snowy valley floor and under the shadow of the giant Matterhorn. In Zermatt, it’s a short walk to the hotel: no cars except electric taxis. On to the Hotel Alex….it feels like home.