The latest articles
Browse the latest nuggets from the Fine Alpine Post: from daring climbs to spellbinding mountain portraits, historical accounts and authentic encounters in the high mountains. Discover articles to awaken the spirit of adventure and nurture a love of the Alps.
80 articles
History of the Alps, Alpine Places
Zermatt Fabulous history of the capital of the Swiss Alps
A small mountain village living to the rhythm of nature's abundance and rigor, Zermatt flourishes under the aegis of the Matterhorn and the most beautiful summits in the Alps. Like a wooded jewel in a rocky setting. Until the day when men decided to conquer the surrounding peaks one by one, bringing mountaineering to its golden age in the heart of the Valais. In just a few decades, the village was transformed into the capital of the Swiss Alps. Here's a look back at the fabulous history of Zermatt, whose unique destiny has earned it a worldwide reputation. The village of Zermatt | Agro-pastoral oasis in the heart ...
History of the Alps, Portraits of Mountains
History of the First Ascents of the Eiger North Face
InOberland , in the heart of the Swiss Alps, stands a mountain. A rocky pyramid set in glistening ice, the Eiger points skywards. Supported by the grandeur of the Mönch and Jungfrau, it reigns over the Grindelwald valley. But do you know the history of this mythical summit ? Did you know that it transformed itself from a royal sword into a fearsome ogre, the better to combat the vanity of men who dared to tread on the rock of its northern face? This vertical wall, over 1,600 metres high, is one of the three great north faces of the Alps, along with the Matterhorn and ...
History of the Alps
Portrait of mountaineer Edward Whymper Conqueror of the Matterhorn
Bold and determined, Edward Whymper measured his achievements by the yardstick. The career of this legendary mountaineer is engraved in stone like the tragic outcome of his victory on the Matterhorn. An explorer of the heights, he gave his name to the routes he inaugurated. In love with the mountains, he never stopped trying to conquer them. Like a challenge to the laws of nature, like a visceral need to step into the light. Portrait of an adventurer at the summit of the Alps, Edward Whymper, conqueror of the Matterhorn and unforgettable mountaineer. Edward Whymper | Designer ...
Art of Living, History of the Alps
Ski touring History and selection of the most beautiful itineraries
Ski touring fascinates mountaineers as much as it transports them to the world of the high mountains. A symbol of freedom, it gives skiers access to untouched spaces, where every descent into deep snow leaves its mark on this white gold. Let me tell you the story of ski touring, with a selection of the finest itineraries in the Swiss Alps. The story begins in Cro-Magnon times, when the people of the past danced to the ancestral rhythm of nature. And in the heart of the ...
Meetings at summit
Johann Filliez Mountain Guide and Alpine Lover
Mountain guide and crystal-maker Johann Filliez has always been passionate about the Alps and the high mountains. Based near Verbier, in the heart of the Swiss Valais, he offers his customers the opportunity to discover the wild heights in their most beautiful light. A fervent admirer of this grandiose environment, Johann Filliez devotes his life to highlighting the beauties of a striking natural environment. Meet an unrivalled guide driven by his love of others and of the mountains. Johann Filliez | Mountain guide in the Valais Alps Let's start by talking about your guiding activities ...
History of the Alps, Alpine Places
Zinal History of the famous Imperial Crown village
There are places that fascinate us more than others. Places that awaken in us the wind of adventure and the melody of dreams. Zinal is one of them. This emblematic village of val d’Anniviers was born from the breath of the mountain pastures. Under the benevolent tutelage of the mountains of the Imperial Crown, it has gradually evolved into a must-see resort in the Valais Alps. Just as a simple pebble one day becomes a diamond, just as a hushed bud becomes an edelweiss. Here's the story of Zinal, a mountain village with a heavenly destiny. Zinal | Mythical village at the foot of the mountains ...
Ascension Chronicles
Crossing from Tour Sallière to Mont Ruan Alpine Escape
September 1, 2023. The end of summer is approaching and I can feel the mountains calling me. A new adventure awaits me in the heights of the Valais. Before the wind changes, bringing with it the first snows of autumn. Accompanied by my guide, Johann Filliez, I decide to head for the edge of the Swiss Alps, in the Haut-Giffre massif, to traverse from Tour Sallière to Mont Ruan. A timeless journey to the peaks overlooking Lac d'Emosson, to summit these giants of rock forgotten by the world. Where no path leads our footsteps, ...
Alpine exhibitions
Heritage of Above Art exhibition at the Bucherer Gallery
At the beginning of 2023, I had the great pleasure of exhibiting my work at the Bucherer Gallery. The Heritage of Above art collection joined forces with Bucherer's most remarkable creations to offer visitors a moment of grace in the glory of the Alps and their presence. The Bucherer Gallery in Geneva | A symbol of excellence I'd like to take you on a tour of Bucherer in Geneva. On the 4th floor of this legendary building is a gallery where art and photography rub shoulders with the finest timepieces and jewelry. Where luxury meets authenticity and elegance ...
Meetings at summit
Meeting with Jacques Pugin Plastic photographer
Internationally renowned visual artist and photographer Jacques Pugin is constantly pushing back the boundaries of photography. A precursor of light painting from the late 1970s onwards, his work is now part of a post-photographic approach. But here again, Jacques Pugin surprises, breaking the codes of contemporary production. He superimposes, recomposes, experiments and mixes techniques to invent his own way of depicting the world. Through his work, he explores man's relationship with the passage of time and his environment. An encounter with an avant-garde photographer who frees himself from the constraints of his tools to ...
Mountain Portraits
The Matterhorn Portrait of the King of the Alps
The Matterhorn fascinates as much as it impresses. A giant of rock and ice dominating the valley of Zermatt, it rises to the sky like the emblem of the heights. The embodiment of all possibilities. A gigantic, inaccessible masterpiece of nature, it seems to urge us to overcome our fears and make our dreams come true. But where does its exceptional strength and grandeur come from? Portrait of a mountain without equal, the Matterhorn, almighty king of the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn | Birth of a king in the heart of the Swiss Alps Our story begins over 100 million years ago, when the plates ...
Alpine exhibitions
Témoins de glace 2023 Photographic exhibition in Geneva
This year, the photographic exhibition Witnesses to Ice, presented in Geneva at frame of the International Glacier Film Festival, features works by Thomas Crauwels. It's an opportunity to revisit the history of Alpine glaciers, and to evoke the mission pursued by the photographer: to bear witness through his art to the grandeur of the high mountains, and thus contribute to the preservation of the Alps' heritage. Photographic exhibition Témoins de glace 2023 | In honor of the Alpine glaciers The photographic exhibition Témoins de glace runs from October 9 to November 9, 2023, in the central alley of the Parc des Bastions, ...
Ascension Chronicles
Climbing the Rimpfischhorn Hidden treasure of the Valais
June 2023. I'm about to climb the Rimpfischhorn. The mountain rises to 4199 meters between the valleys of Saas Fee and Zermatt, in the Valais Alps. I embark on this adventure without really knowing where it will take me. What is this imposing yet little-known colossus? I learn that its name comes from the unique shape of its northern ridge. Covered in dark teeth, it was formed by an ancient lava flow that erupted from the ocean millions of years ago. An incredible force of nature! A hidden Valais treasure.
Discover Thomas Crauwels
Modern romantic artist, Thomas Crauwels has a recognized and distinctive style that has won numerous Swiss and international awards.
Between Beauty, Majesty and Purity : Thomas Crauwels invites us on a grandiose, authentic journey to meet the giants of snow and ice that have moved him. A conduit for emotions, halfway between two worlds: his works elevate us.
Discover the artist
Between Beauty, Majesty and Purity : Thomas Crauwels invites us on a grandiose, authentic journey to meet the giants of snow and ice that have moved him. A conduit for emotions, halfway between two worlds: his works elevate us.
