Meeting point
Zermatt train station
Bahnhofplatz, 3920 Zermatt
Ski Tour Dufourspitze
2 days
Challenging glacier ski tour
Highest peak in Switzerland
Long descent to Zermatt
Season:
March May
Departure Times
08:15
Key info
Multiple ski mountaineering tours completed
Hiking times of up to 8 hours and more than 1700 meters of ascent
Overview
Recommended for:
Anyone who trades comfort for the view.
Long ascents over 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 ascent over 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 descent through impressive glacier landscapes awaits.
Itinerary
Meeting points Day1
Day 1: Ascent 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 descent leading to the ascent to Schwarztor. The subsequent glacier descent over Schwarztor is one of the most beautiful in the region. Once at the bottom, we put on skins and ascend at a steady pace to the Monte Rosa Hut. At the top, we enjoy the view and a well-deserved break.
Distance
11.5 km
Ascent
+600 m
Descent
-1500 m
Walking time
5-6 hrs
Day2
Day 2: Summit Ascent and Descent to Zermatt
The day begins early. By the light of head torches, we steadily ascend over the glacier: as the air gets thinner, we maintain a constant pace. Just below the saddle, we switch from skis to crampons and climb over the west ridge to the summit. At the top enjoy the silence, vastness; a moment to remember. The descent via the ascent route demands full concentration once again. After returning to the Monte Rosa Hut, we enjoy a refreshment before the long descent over the Gorner Glacier to Zermatt begins. Depending on snow conditions, the tour ends in Zermatt or with a short 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
Whats 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
Backpack 25-30 l
Clothing
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
Footwear
Ski touring boots or snowboard boots
Technical Equipment
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
Basics
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 points
Activity location