Ski Tour Nordend

Advanced
2 days
Challenging glacier ascent
Summit ridge to Nordend
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 10 hours with a backpack
Experienced climbing with crampons on snow and rock

Overview

Recommended for: Anyone who trades comfort for the view.

A long, demanding climb in wild glacier terrain: rewarded with a summit experience at 4,609 m above sea level and a magnificent ski descent.

This ski tour takes you deep into the Monte Rosa massif. From the Klein Matterhorn, our route takes us over Schwarztor pass to the Monte Rosa Hut, followed by the summit climb to the 4,609 m high Nordend. Through endless glacier landscapes, along an exposed ridge and steep ski descents. A tour for experienced ski mountaineers with endurance.

Itinerary

Meeting points
Day1
Day 1: Over the Schwarztor to the Monte Rosa Hut
After meeting in Zermatt, we take the cable car to the Klein Matterhorn. From there, the tour first leads us over the Breithorn Plateau before rising to the Schwarztor pass. Then comes the ski descent: past crevasses to the Gorner Glacier. After a short re ascent, we reach the Monte Rosa Hut, where we end the day with a view of the mountains.
Distance
11.5 km
Ascent
+600 m
Descent
-1500 m
Walking time
5-6 hrs
Day2
Day 2: Summit Ascent to Nordend 4,609 m
We start our climb along the Monte Rosa Glacier in the dark: Our pace is slow but steady and with each step, the air gets thinner. In the first rays of sunshine, we reach the Silbersattel: framed by Nordend and Dufourspitze. The last meters to the summit follow an exposed ridge, then we stand at 4,609 m. The ski descent along the glacier back to Zermatt is the crowning conclusion of this tour. (Hut descent not included in the altitude and distance calculations.)
Distance
10.5 km
Ascent
+1700 m
Descent
-1700 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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