breithorn ski tour

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Experience a fantastic ski tour to the Breithorn and over the Theodul Glacier to Zermatt. You will be accompanied by an experienced mountain guide and get to see many breathtaking views.

Unfortunately, this offer is not bookable at the moment.

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Breithorn mountain tour from Zermatt Guided: Private or group

Climb with a guide a four-thousand-meter peak of the Valais Alps and experience the view of 37 other four-thousand-meter peaks. This tour starts in Zermatt and is suitable for beginners and is done as a mountain tour in summer and as a ski tour in winter.

Breithorn ski tour Theodul Glacier guided: Private or group

About this offer.

Mobile ticket accepted

Use your phone or print out the voucher

Immediate booking confirmation

No booking fees

Meeting point

Matterhorn Express valley station, Schluhmattstrasse 121, 3920 Zermatt

Free cancellation

Full refund in case of cancellation up to 24h before start

German, English, French

approx. 5 hours ski tour (including 2 hours ascent)

Experienced and professional mountain guide

Avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, airbag: + CHF 40 per person

• Let a professional and experienced mountain guide accompany you on your ski tour
• Enjoy a spectacular winter landscape on the Breithorn at 4164 m above sea level.
• Experience a fantastic descent over the Theodul Glacier back to Zermatt
• Marvel at countless breathtaking views around Zermatt
• Conquer most of the altitude comfortably by train

Description

Embark on a spectacular ski tour led by an experienced mountain guide. From the Klein Matterhorn station, you head up to the Breithorn at 4164 m above sea level, followed by a descent over the Theodul Glacier to Zermatt.

You will meet the mountain guide and other participants at the valley station of the Matterhorn Express. Before you take part in the ski tour, it is important that you have the appropriate equipment. You can either bring your own or hire it on site in Zermatt.

You then walk from the Klein Matterhorn station to the summit of the Breithorn at 4164 m.a.s.l. This is followed by the descent over the Theodul Glacier to Zermatt, where the tour ends again.

Swiss Activities Tip

Do you fancy a spa and wellness after an eventful ski tour? Then visit the Mountain Ashram Spa in Zermatt. Enjoy many different treatments and relax your body and soul after an eventful day in the fresh mountain air. Your muscles will be delighted.

Important Information

• Take along: Sun protection, warm clothing
• Requirement: off-piste experience, good piste skier
• Minimum age: 15 years

Meeting Points

From CHF 720

Climb with a guide a four-thousand-meter peak of the Valais Alps and experience the view of 37 other four-thousand-meter peaks. This tour starts in Zermatt and is suitable for beginners and is done as a mountain tour in summer and as a ski tour in winter. More details

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Ski Tour Breithorn

The Breithorn is an ideal summit ski tour as it is easily accessible from the Klein Matterhorn cable car station. This ski tour is not too long, not highly technical, and offers a huge reward with fantastic views and an exhilarating descent to Zermatt. Safely ski from your first 4000m peak with the support of an experienced and qualified mountain guide.

Quick Facts

 Your first 4000m Summit with Skis  1 Day  Experience Level: Advanced Beginner  Fitness Level: Basic  Groups of max. 6 people  Summit Certificate

From 299 CHF

Closest Bookable Dates

Tour details, requirements.

• Fitness Level: Basic
• Experience Level: Advanced Beginner

Group Tour (4-6 participants)

Private tour.

To book a private tour please contact us:

0041 (0)33 224 07 01

info(at)outdoor.ch

Day 1: Summit ski tour to the Breithorn 4164m

Meet your mountain guide at the train station in Zermatt, and then travel together to the Klein Matterhorn at 3817m. From this point, you will already be standing among the imposing 4000m peaks of Zermatt. Mount your skins and begin your hike, first flat over the Breithorn plateau, then after 30 minutes you’ll begin the pleasant ascent to the Breithorn. The pace will be slow and steady to account for the strain of altitude. You’ll be greeted by jaw-dropping views from the summit ridge and then push the final few meters to the summit at 4164m. Enjoy a break on the top and then begin your descent, skiing past the Klein Matterhorn, onto the slopes, and down to Zermatt.

What's included

• Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
• His or her expenses
• Summit Certificate

Not included

• Your expenses
• Rental equipment
• Costs for cable cars
• Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)

Equipment list

• Warm, functional clothing
• Rain jacket
• Mountaineering or hiking pants
• Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
• Beanie or headband
• Thermal underwear 
• Ski touring boots or snowboard boots

The basics

• Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
• Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
• Thermos flask, drink bottle
• GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
• Camera and binoculars (optional)

Technical Equipment

• Crampons with anti-snow plates
• Ski touring skis or splitboard with skins and tele crampons
• Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
• LVS (avalanche transceiver)
• Avalanche probe
• Avalanche shovel
• Avalanche airbag (optional)
• Ski helmet (optional but recommended)

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Download a PDF fact sheet with all the information about this tour

General Information for Mountaineering School

Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!

OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald

Dorfstrasse 103 3818 Grindelwald Switzerland

General Information

Trip status for group courses.

1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.

Minimum of participants (group tours)

As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.

Cancellation

If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.

Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.

Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.

Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.

A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.

Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.

General terms of contract

Our General Terms and Conditions apply. 

General Terms and Conditions

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the Breithorn - my first four-thousander

Does the thought of conquering your first-ever four-thousand-metre peak seem impossible? It’s not in Zermatt. On the contrary, the Breithorn is the ideal opportunity for you to breathe the air at four thousand metres for the first time. So aim high and set off for the 4164-metre summit!

The Breithorn is a heavily glaciated ridge comprising several peaks. Although it is considered one of the easiest four-thousanders in the Alps, you are not advised to attempt the ascent unless accompanied by an experienced guide.

Do not underestimate the risks involved when climbing in the Alps – crevasses, for instance. It is essential to have the correct equipment, including crampons and harness, and also to be physically fit and sure-footed.

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Due to its short approach, the Breithorn is one of the easiest four-thousanders to climb in summer. Even in winter, the dream of climbing a four-thousander is still achievable. The incredible 360° views and the long descent to Zermatt make the mountain a very worthwhile aim, even in the colder months.

Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m)

Starting from the Klein Matterhorn, the route on skis heads across the Breithorn plateau before turning north and heading towards the Western Breithorn summit. After only a few minutes, you’ll find yourself up close to the imposing mountains of snow, ice and rock that are clearly visible from the village. Depending on the conditions, skis can be left just below the magical 4,000-metre point and the last section can be completed on foot (with crampons). On arrival at the summit, there are stunning 360° views to enjoy, stretching from the Bernese Alps to France and over to Italy.

Klein Matterhorn – Breithornplateau – Breithorn – Breithornplateau – Theodul Glacier - Furi - Zermatt Option: Descent via Schwarztor We recommend to book a mountain guide who knows well the place.

Zermatt (1,620 m)

We recommend:

Important!  Requirement: very good skiing skills and abilities, ski touring experience, surefooted with no fear of heights

Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk. *The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.

Descent possible via Schwarztor.

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The Breithorn, near Zermatt, is a heavily glaciated mountain crest with several peaks. Many budding mountaineers choose this for their first 4,000-metre summit.

Height 4,164 m

First ascent 13 August 1813

First climbed by Henry Maynard, Joseph-Marie Couttet, Jean-Baptiste Erin, Jean-Jacques Erin, Jean Gras

Tip in the village

• Zermatlantis, the Matterhorn Museum: reliefs, photos

Tips for visitors

• Matterhorn glacier paradise: observation window towards the Breithorn
• Matterhorn glacier paradise: observation platform (photo point)
• Visitors can watch the rope teams on the Breithorn

Tips for hikers

• Matterhorn glacier Trail, Schwarzsee - Trockener Steg
• Zermatt - Furi

Tips for mountaineers

• The easiest 4,000-metre peak in the Alps
• Accessible in 2 hours from Matterhorn glacier paradise (cable car station)
• Mountain guide necessary
• Pure glacier trek

Broad and beautiful “Breit” means “broad”: a fitting description for this mountain crest with multiple peaks, which extends for more than two kilometres. The western summit is the highest, but is also considered the easiest to climb. The middle and east summit and the Breithorn Twins form a chain towards the east. The most easterly summit, which marks the end of the Breithorn, is the Schwarzfluh (Roccia Nera). The border between Valais and the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley runs over the Breithorn. The peak also forms part of the main ridge of the Alps, which is both the regional watershed and meteorological divide.

Origin of name The Breithorn received its name from the canon Josef Anton Berchtold due to the remarkable breadth of the mountain. The naming of the mountains around Zermatt made great progress thanks to Berchtold. He was responsible for the appearance of a number of traditional Zermatt names on the Dufour map, the oldest official map of Switzerland.

Stories about the Breithorn Zermatt mountain guides describe people who they could guide with a good conscience only on the Breithorn as “Breithoru-Liit” (Breithorn people). In July 1995, the Zermatt mountain guide Ulrich Inderbinen climbed the Breithorn and the Allalin more than a dozen times. He was 95 years old at the time. After a harmless fall on the return from the Breithorn, Inderbinen ended his 70-year career as a mountain guide in the summer of 1995.

Reading “Ulrich Inderbinen: as old as the century”, by Heidi Lanz/Liliane De Meester, published by Rotten Verlag, CH-3930 Visp, 1997. Available in English, German, French.

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Breithorn Ascent

Matterhorn glacier paradise.

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Alpine Tour | Pollux and Breithorn Crossing

Two days of high-altitude touring together on 6 peaks above 4000 metres with a view down to Zermatt.

We spend two days together in Zermatt and climb Pollux and the Breithorn traverse with its 5 peaks. In between, we spend the night in the authentic Rif. Guide d'Ayas. The tour starts comfortably thanks to the Klein Matterhorn railway. We cross the Breithorn plateau at altitude and climb the Pollux with its easy but beautiful rocky ridge and summit cornice. We spend the night just below Pollux on the edge of the glacier. Here we enjoy the evening atmosphere and the sunset together. From the bivouac we can set off early and tackle the traverse before the people on the railway. The Breithorn traverse is one of the better tours around Zermatt. It offers everything: beautiful rock, aesthetic firn ridges and a deep view of the north face of the Breithorn and Zermatt. The difficulty is manageable and the length of the tour is just right for a full day in the high mountains. During both days we enjoy the magnificent and majestic view from Zermatt over the mighty 4000 metre peaks of Lyskamm, Dufourspitze, Dom, Weisshorn and many more!

Venue & meeting point

• Area: Valais Alps, Zermatt
• Meeting point: 9.15 Zermatt train station
• End: approx. 15.00 in Zermatt
• Overnight stay: Rif. Guide d'Ayas

Requirements

• You have first experience on alpine tours and can walk safely on crampons.
• Climbing with mountain boots and possibly crampons at grade III.
• Condition for high altitude tours with around 1000hm ascent and descent at a comfortable pace (~300hm/h).
• Takes place with 2 guests per mountain guide.

Price and services

• Including planning and implementation with mountain guide and his expenses.
• Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.
• Excluding accommodation costs, approx. 80.- CHF per night with half board.

Material and equipment

• We have for you a detailed packing list with packing tips compiled.
• For this tour you need the following material from this PDF . We carry our equipment with us all the time. Pack only what is necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably directly at Jonas or Florian or via the Contact form .

This is how you can join us on the Pollux and the Breithorn crossing:

Weekend from 27 - 28 July 2024

Still 2 free places

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Breithorn, 4,164m

Zermatt’s Breithorn has the following peaks and points: the Western Breithorn (main summit, 4,164m), the Central Breithorn (4,156m), the Breithorn Saddle (the lowest point of the summit ridge: 4,020m), the Breithorn Twins: Eastern Breithorn (4,138m) and Gendarm (4,106m); Roccia Nera (4,073m).

Description

There are plenty of Breithorn peaks in the Swiss Alps. Between the Klein Matterhorn Glacier and the Schwarztor is Zermatt’s Breithorn, which is a full four kilometres wide, and a little over four kilometres high end-to-end. It appears as a vast, glaciated wall with several peaks, all of which have been given their own individual names. The lowest point of the entire mountain ridge forms the saddle (4,020m). Several mighty glaciers in the south and in the north drift down from their high position into the valley. The southern side of the Breithorn is also heavily glaciated (Breithorn Plateau, Grande Ghiacciaio di Verra). These glaciers thaw relatively early nowadays, giving way to many crevasses that generally appear along the usual route, forcing climbers to make a detour. A flawless rope guide is required, as is knowledge in crevasse rescue and self-rescue.

The Breithorn is considered the easiest of the Alps’ four-thousanders, and is frequently climbed as a result. At the same time, however, accidents often happen here, which can sometimes be serious – and are often caused as a result of overconfidence. So what “easy” really means here is “easy if you’re an experienced mountaineer”. If the weather suddenly turns on the Breithorn Plateau, only mountaineers who have good orientation skills will be able to find their way back. If the S-flank is icy then crampons will be required.

Information about the routes

Source: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

Exclusion of liability

Hiking or climbing on tours in alpine terrain requires good physical health, meticulous preparation and technical skills in mountain sports. The mountains and routes presented here are undertaken at one’s own risk. If you want to safely practice mountain sports, taking training courses run by experts is highly recommended by the SAC. We also recommend hiring a mountain guide.

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How to climb the Breithorn

The third in our series on how to climb classic 4,000ers. Mountain Guide Andy Perkins, offers his insider tips on how to climb the Breithorn, one of his favourite peaks, after just returning from a trip there.

As you approach Zermatt from the Rhone valley, an alluring wall of snow and rock topped by two shapely domes comes into view. This is the Breithorn. It has quality of climbing at a wide range of levels, quality of line, and a fraction of the stress and crowds of 'the mountain that must not be named'...

Route choices

I’m going to single out three choices here: the 'Normal Route' (or south-south-west face), the east ridge of the central summit (more widely known as the 'Half Traverse of the Breithorn'), and the north face via the Triftjigrat. They offer some of the finest examples of alpinism at their respective grade and style.

The Normal Route (F/PD)


You see it all here: dog walkers, tourists in walking boots, parties without ropes in crevassed terrain, lycra clad ski mountaineering racers. But for all that, it’s a wonderful introduction to the high alpine environment and, for many, their first 4,000er.

Last week I was on the Normal Route with one of my longest standing clients, Darren, and his 13-year-old daughter Annabel, which was one of the most satisfying days of this season, and indeed of my career as a Mountain Guide.

We followed a combo that I often use: from the Kleine Matterhorn lift, a short stroll down the piste, rope up at the lowest point of the piste, then head across the flat and up towards the moderate snow slope. We went diagonally right to the col between the west and central summit, took in the latter with some impressive cornices keeping us off the highest point, before returning to the col. The fine snow arête led us to the west summit with great views of the east face of the Tobleronenhorn before a steady descent down the skiers right of the slope and back to the cable car.

The Half Traverse (AD- III)

This, in my opinion, is one of the finest routes of its grade in the Alps. It has steady snow, solid rock and humungous exposure. With the word 'half' in the title, you might think it’s short, but it actually gives a good day out on classic Valais ridge terrain. It’s not to be taken lightly – there have been fatal accidents and, once on it, you’re going forward or back. There’s no escape to left and just a massive drop to the right.

I usually leave early from the Ayas hut, and head via the Roccia Nera bivouac across to the bergschrund. Cross this and short rope to the col at 4,022m. After a short distance on ledges, a delicate downward traverse leads left and across a little couloir to a rocky rib. Going up this rib in a few short pitches gets you on to the ridge proper. From here it’s all plain sailing with a lovely slab pitch and then a steeper chimney to the final tower. There’s a sting in the tail with a weird move over a little tower before it finally relents and you’re on snow leading to the central summit.

The Triftjigrat (D-)

This is classic alpine snow climbing at the highest level of quality. I’ve only managed it once, but it was one of the best days out I’ve had with my long standing client Darren, and we’ve had a few belters in our 17 years of snow and ice in Scotland, Arctic Norway and the Alps in summer and winter.

It’s long at over 1,400m, so you’ll need to be fit and fast. After a 2am breakfast from the Gandegg, you drop down onto the Theodul glacier and head across under the imposing face. A steady snow slope leads you gradually up and left and you cut round onto the left side of the spur just before gaining the Triftjiplateau as the sun’s coming up. Traversing right across this, you reach a steep couloir coming down from the summit. Depending on conditions, you can either short rope or pitch this before more technical mixed terrain above. This eventually leads to the summit slopes of the western summit before an easy descent down the normal route and celebratory beers and burgers at The Brown Cow.

Normal Route: I’d imagine this gets done all year round, as long as the lift system is running. I’ve skied it in April and throughout the summer it has teams on it. It will have avalanche potential in deep winter and after a stiff northeasterly storm cycle, but in that eventuality you should be skiing the fat pow-pow anyway.

The Half Traverse: Massive amounts of snow will make this a real chore, so best to leave it for a few days after a major storm. Generally it’s in condition from late June onwards, and if you want to start from the Ayas hut then the opening dates of this will have a bearing as well.

The Triftjigrat: good snow conditions are essential here. Our ascent took place in mid to late June, but climate change is bringing things progressively forward. Having said that, a good storm cycle in mid summer followed by a couple of consolidation days should see it coming in.

What to take

Normal Route: a 30m glacier travel rope and crevasse rescue kit will be fine. No lids needed here. If anything falls on your head, you’ll need more than a helmet as it’ll be a helicopter or a plane.

The Half Traverse: I take a 50m rope and a few wires and slings for the route itself. Crevasse rescue kit is vital as some of the holes on the approach are huge.

The Triftjigrat: We used a single 60m rope to get longer pitches in. As well as few wires and slings, we supplemented the crevasse rescue kit with some extra ice screws so we could pitch between ice screw belays. We went in after quite a significant storm cycle and snowshoes proved useful crossing the Theodulgletscher.

Skill level / who should hire a guide?

Normal Route: This is within the realm of most competent Scottish hill walkers, but in addition you should know how to rope up for glacier travel and short-roping on grade half snow. If you’re going to take the east ridge of the west summit, make sure your footwork is perfect, as any fall to the right will be very long indeed. Should you hire a guide? If you want an intro to alpine snow then the Breithorn is a good venue. You could do some crevasse rescue tricks on the way as well.

The Half Traverse: Classic AD ridge terrain like this needs good knowledge of when to short rope, long rope, short pitch or long pitch, if you’re going to do it in a good time. The climbing itself is around UK V Diff level at most, but with one weird move where you can use a point of aid if needed. If you’re happy with all that, then go autonomous.

The Triftjigrat: The climbing here is, for the most part, technically easier than the Half Traverse. It’s only in the summit rock band that things get a bit funky. Tactical route choice is tricky, and belays are hard to find, so a good apprenticeship in less committing positions will be wise before embarking on what is effectively a D version of a ‘grande course’. Choice of exactly when to do the route is where you will get your value out of a guide, but even with one you’ll need competence at Scottish 3. And some big legs and lungs.

Planning and Logistics

The Normal Route is something that can be achieved in a day. For the others, some prior acclimatisation would be good. At least a night at around 2,500 to 2,700m would be my minimum before going to sleep in the Ayas.

The Kleine Matterhorn lift is the gateway to all three routes, and your exit afterwards unless you want to give extra work to your physio. You can also do the Normal Route from Cervinia: cheaper, better coffee and only a slight additional walk from the Theodulpass to the base of the slope.

The Half Traverse can be done in two days starting from Champoluc in the Val d’Ayas and staying at the Ayas hut. This valley is full of Italian charm and is a world away from the Disneyland on the Swiss side. For the Triftjigrat , you’ll need to bite the bullet and stay in the Gandegg Hut.

Tactic tips

Normal Route: you’ll see all sorts going on here. Do yourself a favour, and long-rope across the flats, probably without crampons, until the slope kicks. Then shorten it down, put spikes on and head up. On the final arête, have a few coils in your hand so if your mate falls into Suisse, you can jump into Italia.

Half Traverse: The Ayas hut gets very busy on Sundays and Mondays. If you can, avoid those days. Get an early start from the Ayas so you can beat the Zermatt guides doing it in a day from the first lift. Avoid it if it’s super windy or afternoon storms are in the forecast.

Triftjigrat: Take some extra bottles of mineral water with you as it’s only a short walk from the Trockener Steg lift station to the Gandegg and you can save a small amount of cash. Have a careful look at the approach the evening before from the Gandegg. Make sure you pick a period with good snow conditions. And the Mexican burger in The Brown Cow is a top tip for your afternoon rehydration session. 

Andy Perkins is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and a member of both the French and British Mountain Guide Associations. He lives in Chamonix and works all over the world in rock boots, crampons and on skis:   andypmountain.guide.com

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