Ski Tour Dufourspitze

Advanced
2 days
Challenging glacier ski tour
Highest peak in Switzerland
Long ski descent to Zermatt

Season:

March May

Departure Times

08:15Zermatt train station

Key info

Multiple ski mountaineering tours completed
Hiking times of up to 8 hours with a backpack
Experienced climbing with crampons on snow and rock

Overview

Recommended for: Anyone who trades comfort for the view.

Long Climb on glaciers and thrilling ridge climbing: This ski tour to the Dufourspitze demands everything.

This ski tour takes you to the highest peak in Switzerland. After a varied approach, a long and challenging climb along the glacier follows. The final meters on the ridge add excitement before the panorama at 4,634 m (15,203 ft) rewards you. Afterwards, a long ski descent in an impressive glacier landscapes awaits.

Itinerary

Meeting points
Day1
Day 1: Hut approach to Monte Rosa Hut
From Zermatt, we take the cable car to Klein Matterhorn. There, we start with a gentle ascent over the Breithorn plateau, followed by a short ski descent leading to below the Schwarztorpass, reached after a short re ascent. The subsequent ski descent is one of the most beautiful in the region. Once at the bottom, we put on skins and climb at a steady pace to the Monte Rosa Hut.
Distance
11.5 km
Ascent
+600 m
Descent
-1500 m
Walking time
5-6 hrs
Day2
Day 2: Summit and Descent to Zermatt
The day begins early. Under the light of head torches, we steadily climb up along the glacier: as the air gets thinner, we maintain a constant pace. Just below the saddle, we switch from skis to crampons and follow the west ridge to the summit. At the top enjoy the silence, vastness; a moment to remember. The descent along the same route demands full concentration once again. After returning to the Monte Rosa Hut, we enjoy a refreshment before starting the long ski descent over the Gorner Glacier to Zermatt. Depending on snow conditions, the tour ends in Zermatt or with a short re ascent to Rotenboden. (Hut descent not included in elevation gain and distances.)
Distance
10 km
Ascent
+1750 m
Descent
-1750 m
Walking time
6-7 hrs

What's included

Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
Expenses of the mountain guide
Overnight stay(s) with half-board for the mountain guide
Hut reservation
Summit Certificate

Not included

Costs for cable cars and travel expenses of the guest
Overnight stay(s) in bunk room with half-board for the guest
Snacks
Technical equipment
Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guide's share)

Pack list

Backpack 25-30 l

Warm, functional clothing
Rain jacket
Rain pants
Mountaineering or winter hiking pants
Sunhat
Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
Beanie or headband
Extra underwear and socks
Thermal underwear

Ski touring boots or snowboard boots

Crampons with anti-snow plates
Harness
Ice axe
Ski touring skis or splitboard with skins and tele crampons
Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
Helmet
LVS (avalanche transceiver)
Avalanche probe
Avalanche shovel

Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
Thermos flask, drink bottle
Headlamp
Silk sleeping bag liner
Toiletries
SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
Earplugs (optional)
Camera and binoculars (optional)
Snacks

Weather info

General weather info

Weather can influence any tour, and a clear decision is often only possible on the day itself. We review conditions carefully and remain within our safety limits, and bad weather alone does not mean we have to stop.

Make sure we can reach you with current contact information in case your booking changes. Silence from us means your tour is still planned or the final call is not yet made. If we need to cancel, you can rebook, choose another activity, or get a full refund.

For detailed advice on how to prepare for (and enjoy!) bad weather days in Interlaken, check out our weather blog 

Meeting points

Meeting point
Activity location

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