Snowboarding Amid COVID: A Photographer’s Journey on the Slopes of Switzerland and Italy

In March 2020, northern Italy became a single of the first epicenters of the initially wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and its response foreshadowed the waves of lockdowns that would roil the globe for a lot more than a 12 months. In the Italian Alps, that has meant an finish to snowboarding. But throughout the border in Switzerland, the lifts are open up. Photographer Davide Bertuccio traveled to the Matterhorn, a mountain situated concerning Breuil-Cervinia, Italy, and Zermatt, Switzerland, and as opposed how the two sides fared this winter season season.

“It was a surreal practical experience to see the mountain so vacant in Italy. Countless expanses of white, where by every now and then you could spot a snowcat. Lifts that, in the midst of the fog and in total silence, appeared like alien spaceships,” recollects Bertuccio. “The directives of the Italian govt prohibit snowboarding, but let the opening of [hotels] and eating places to passersby. In Switzerland it is attainable to ski, but you can only consume takeaway.” The pictures showcase amazing sights and vacant slopes on the Italian aspect, whilst Switzerland hums with skiers. You can practically hear the howling wind and lone appears of the ski lifts, waiting around for individuals to return.