I can't help but be moved when I admire this panoramic photograph of the Imperial Crown from Zinal. It brings together the most beautiful mountains in the Swiss Alps. These summits , over 4,000 metres high, form a wall around val d’Anniviers. At the center of the picture, the famous Matterhorn emerges from the Zermatt valley, proudly taking its place within the royal circle.

For me, these high mountains are the most beautiful in the world. And this magnificent panorama is unquestionably one of my top 5 favorite photographs. I took this aerial view from a helicopter, as this angle of view doesn't exist from the ground. I spent a long time looking for the perfect spot to capture so many legendary peaks in one shot. I was incredibly lucky to be there just as the storm blew away, leaving the freshly snow-covered mountains to enjoy the first rays of sunshine. The purity of the snow gives summits a Himalayan allure. I managed to capture this precious moment when nature reigns supreme, making the mountains inaccessible to most people. In such cold and snowy conditions, only the best mountaineers in the world can aspire to measure themselves against its walls.

The most remarkable of these is the Blanc de Moming ridge, which leads from the Zinalrothorn to Besso, Zinal's mythical summit . Long and imposing, it is nowhere visible from the ground. Of course, it is possible to catch a glimpse of it when you reach the surrounding high summits . But the reality for the mountaineer is quite different. And I speak from experience. When you undertake a climb like this, you have to stay focused on your objective. You watch every move to make sure you don't fall. The only breaks you allow yourself are to refuel. When you finally reach the long-awaited summit, it's already time to head back down, as you still have half the way to go.

This grandiose panorama is a tribute from me, a professional mountain photographer, to all mountaineers. For those of you who still remember the intensity of the emotions felt in the high mountains, but were unable to take the time to admire these sumptuous landscapes, here they are. And for those of you who dream of traversing the crests of this imperial crown, their beauty is sure to inspire you. And for those of you who live in a chalet at val d’Anniviers, this work of art will enable you to admire the entire imperial crown every day, invisible from your windows. All the magic of the Valais Alps revealed here.