Schwarztor - Signalkuppe ski tour
Ski tour to the Signalkuppe via Schwarztor
-
Endurance
4Walking time 8-9 hours. Up to approx. 1600 vertical meters. For experienced alpinists with very good stamina. -
Technique
2You already have experience of off-piste skiing and are sure-footed on the ascent. You have some touring experience, are familiar with hairpin bends and walking with skins. Easy, hilly terrain (30°) suits you. -
Duration
2 days -
Date
Mid-March - Mid-May -
Participants
1 - 4 people
Gallery (8)
The Signalkuppe (Italian: Punta Gnifetti) is 4,554 m high and is also home to the highest mountain hut in Europe.This ski tour is a true dream route for ambitious ski tourers: The Black Gate, the vast glacier landscape around the Monte Rosa hut and the majestic Capanna Regina Margherita make this tour a top-class high alpine experience - without any climbing passages.
Highlights
Duration
- The ski tour to the Signalkuppe is divided into two ascent days:
- Day 1
- Descent to the Grande Ghiacciaio di Verra and counter ascent to the Schwarztor (3,722 m): approx. 2 hours
- Descent via Schwarztor to the Gorner Glacier: approx. 1 hour
- Ascent to the Monte Rosa hut (2,882 m): approx. 3 hours
- 2nd day
- Ascent via the Grenzgletscher to the Signalkuppe (4,554 m): approx. 4.5 hours
- Descent to Zermatt (1620 m): approx. 3 hours
Description
The tour starts at the Klein Matterhorn mountain station. From here we cross the wide Breithorn plateau, accompanied by views of Castor, Pollux and the two Liskamm peaks. After a short descent to the depression between Roccia Nera and Pollux, we put on our skins and ascend to Schwarztor. This is followed by an impressive descent over glacier slopes to the Gorner Glacier, before we skin up again with the Monte Rosa hut in view.
After an overnight stay in the Monte Rosa hut, we set off early in the morning. The trail leads over the mighty Grenz Glacier to the summit of the Signalkuppe with the highest mountain hut in Europe: the Capanna Regina Margherita at 4,554 meters.
What follows is one of the most spectacular descents in the Alps: around 20 kilometers over wide glacier surfaces, moraine slopes and the Gorner Glacier back to Zermatt.
Program
Day 1: Schwarztor and Ascent to the Monte Rosa Hut
- Meet your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at 08:15 at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
- Cable car ride to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
- Descent along the southern side of the Breithorn and ascent to the Schwarztor
- Glacier descent down to the Gorner Glacier below
- Ascent to the Monte Rosa Hut
Day 2: Ascent of the Signalkuppe and Descent to Zermatt
- Start of the ski tour with your private mountain guide around 3:00 AM (depending on the season)
- Ascent via the long Grenzgletscher to the Signalkuppe
- Descent back to the Monte Rosa Hut
- Descent over the Gorner Glacier and through the gorge back to Zermatt (depending on the season)
- Farewell to your mountain guide
Additional costs
- Overnight stay and half board in the Monte Rosa hut for you and your mountain guide: from: approx. CHF 90.00 per person
- Train journey Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn: from approx. CHF 95.00
Reduction with GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (more information can be found at Zermatt Bergbahnen AG) - Rental equipment:
- Avalanche transceiver (LVS), avalanche shovel and avalanche probe: can be rented at the ZERMATTERS Homebase at a special price of CHF 15.00 per person from 17.00 the day before. The rented equipment must be returned to the ZERMATTERS Homebase after the tour by 5 p.m. at the latest
- Other equipment: from CHF 80.00, available in a sports store in Zermatt
- Touring skis with running binding (binding adjusted)
- Touring ski boots
- Telescopic poles
- Backpack should not weigh more than 8-9 kg (skis must be able to be tied on)
- skins
- crampons
- crampons
- Climbing harness
- 1 carabiner
- ice axe
- shovel
- probe
- AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER
- Warm, weatherproof touring ski clothing
- Warm gloves
- Finger gloves
- Helmet (optional)
- Hat / headband
- Goggles, sunglasses, sun cream
- Headlamp
- Silk sleeping bag (obligatory)
- Thermos flask, drinks
- Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)
- Wash kit
- Minimal spare underwear
- Plasters
- Personal pharmacy
- Cash, identity card
After booking
After booking, you will receive a confirmation by email. Please check that your details are correct.
Two days before the tour, you will receive a link to the customer portal.
Please contact us before the tour to go over the details (current weather, conditions, group size, etc.). You can reach us by phone, email or visit us at the ZERMATTERS Homebase.
The Black Gate and the Signalkuppe
General information about the Black Gate and the Signalkuppe
- The Signalkuppe in the Monte Rosa massif is 4,554 m high and is home to the highest mountain hut in Europe: the Capanna Regina Margherita.
- The Signalkuppe is a popular destination for alpine tours and ski tours in both winter and summer. Often part of the famous "Spaghetti Tour".
- The Schwarztor separates the Roccia Nera, the easternmost summit of the Breithorn, from the Pollux.
Special features of the Schwarztor and the Signalkuppe
- The Signalkuppe is home to a scientific laboratory for research into the effects of altitude on the human body.
Safety and risk warnings
- Even if the tour is technically easy, you should not underestimate the alpine risks. The route leads over glaciers where there is always a risk of crevasses. For this reason, you will always be accompanied by a professional and equipped with the necessary safety equipment on ZERMATTERS. Weather changes can occur unexpectedly on the Signalkuppe, which is why the orientation and experience of our local mountain guides are crucial.
Do I need a mountain guide for a ski tour?
Yes, a mountain guide is highly recommended for a ski tour. Ski tours in alpine terrain require experience in avalanche awareness, route selection and snow conditions. Especially in high alpine regions such as Zermatt, many tours lead through challenging terrain with steep descents and possible crevasses. If you want to get the best out of your ski tour and minimize risks, a professional guide is the best choice.
What are the advantages of a local ski tour guide?
A local ski tour guide from Zermatt knows the mountains, snow and weather conditions like no other. Thanks to his regional expertise, the tour can be optimally planned and flexibly adapted to current conditions. He also enriches the experience with exciting stories and insights into the regional culture and mountain world - for a safe and unforgettable ski tour.
What should I look out for when booking a ski tour guide?
Make sure that your mountain guide is certified according to the standards of the International Union of Mountain Guide Associations (UIAGM/IFMGA). This certification guarantees comprehensive training and compliance with the highest safety standards. All ZERMATTERS mountain guides are trained according to these international guidelines.
What difficulty levels are ski tours divided into?
Ski tours are divided into seven main levels of difficulty according to the SAC ski tour scale:
- L: Easy
- WS: Less difficult
- ZS: Fairly difficult
- S: Difficult
- SS: Very difficult
- AS: Extremely Difficult
- EX: Extremely difficult
Each of these grades can be additionally refined by a minus (-) or plus (+) to allow finer gradations.
The classification is based on main criteria such as steepness, exposure, terrain shape and bottlenecks in the descent. Auxiliary criteria such as the complexity of the route and the correctability of errors can also be taken into account.
How do I choose the right ski tour for my ability?
The choice of ski tour should always be based on your personal ability and alpine experience. Our offers are therefore provided with clear information on the level of difficulty, required stamina and technique to help you make the right decision. We will be happy to provide you with personal advice directly.
-
Endurance
4Walking time 8-9 hours. Up to approx. 1600 vertical meters. For experienced alpinists with very good stamina. -
Technique
2You already have experience of off-piste skiing and are sure-footed on the ascent. You have some touring experience, are familiar with hairpin bends and walking with skins. Easy, hilly terrain (30°) suits you. -
Duration
2 days -
Date
Mid-March - Mid-May -
Participants
1 - 4 people
The Signalkuppe (Italian: Punta Gnifetti) is 4,554 m high and is also home to the highest mountain hut in Europe.This ski tour is a true dream route for ambitious ski tourers: The Black Gate, the vast glacier landscape around the Monte Rosa hut and the majestic Capanna Regina Margherita make this tour a top-class high alpine experience - without any climbing passages.
Highlights
Duration
- The ski tour to the Signalkuppe is divided into two ascent days:
- Day 1
- Descent to the Grande Ghiacciaio di Verra and counter ascent to the Schwarztor (3,722 m): approx. 2 hours
- Descent via Schwarztor to the Gorner Glacier: approx. 1 hour
- Ascent to the Monte Rosa hut (2,882 m): approx. 3 hours
- 2nd day
- Ascent via the Grenzgletscher to the Signalkuppe (4,554 m): approx. 4.5 hours
- Descent to Zermatt (1620 m): approx. 3 hours
Description
The tour starts at the Klein Matterhorn mountain station. From here we cross the wide Breithorn plateau, accompanied by views of Castor, Pollux and the two Liskamm peaks. After a short descent to the depression between Roccia Nera and Pollux, we put on our skins and ascend to Schwarztor. This is followed by an impressive descent over glacier slopes to the Gorner Glacier, before we skin up again with the Monte Rosa hut in view.
After an overnight stay in the Monte Rosa hut, we set off early in the morning. The trail leads over the mighty Grenz Glacier to the summit of the Signalkuppe with the highest mountain hut in Europe: the Capanna Regina Margherita at 4,554 meters.
What follows is one of the most spectacular descents in the Alps: around 20 kilometers over wide glacier surfaces, moraine slopes and the Gorner Glacier back to Zermatt.
Program
Day 1: Schwarztor and Ascent to the Monte Rosa Hut
- Meet your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at 08:15 at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
- Cable car ride to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
- Descent along the southern side of the Breithorn and ascent to the Schwarztor
- Glacier descent down to the Gorner Glacier below
- Ascent to the Monte Rosa Hut
Day 2: Ascent of the Signalkuppe and Descent to Zermatt
- Start of the ski tour with your private mountain guide around 3:00 AM (depending on the season)
- Ascent via the long Grenzgletscher to the Signalkuppe
- Descent back to the Monte Rosa Hut
- Descent over the Gorner Glacier and through the gorge back to Zermatt (depending on the season)
- Farewell to your mountain guide
Additional costs
- Overnight stay and half board in the Monte Rosa hut for you and your mountain guide: from: approx. CHF 90.00 per person
- Train journey Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn: from approx. CHF 95.00
Reduction with GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (more information can be found at Zermatt Bergbahnen AG) - Rental equipment:
- Avalanche transceiver (LVS), avalanche shovel and avalanche probe: can be rented at the ZERMATTERS Homebase at a special price of CHF 15.00 per person from 17.00 the day before. The rented equipment must be returned to the ZERMATTERS Homebase after the tour by 5 p.m. at the latest
- Other equipment: from CHF 80.00, available in a sports store in Zermatt
Material
To ensure that you are optimally equipped for the ski tour via Schwarztor to the Signalkuppe, you should definitely have this equipment with you.
- Touring skis with running binding (binding adjusted)
- Touring ski boots
- Telescopic poles
- Backpack should not weigh more than 8-9 kg (skis must be able to be tied on)
- skins
- crampons
- crampons
- Climbing harness
- 1 carabiner
- ice axe
- shovel
- probe
- AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER
- Warm, weatherproof touring ski clothing
- Warm gloves
- Finger gloves
- Helmet (optional)
- Hat / headband
- Goggles, sunglasses, sun cream
- Headlamp
- Silk sleeping bag (obligatory)
- Thermos flask, drinks
- Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)
- Wash kit
- Minimal spare underwear
- Plasters
- Personal pharmacy
- Cash, identity card
After booking
After booking, you will receive a confirmation by email. Please check that your details are correct.
Two days before the tour, you will receive a link to the customer portal.
Please contact us before the tour to go over the details (current weather, conditions, group size, etc.). You can reach us by phone, email or visit us at the ZERMATTERS Homebase.
The Black Gate and the Signalkuppe
General information about the Black Gate and the Signalkuppe
- The Signalkuppe in the Monte Rosa massif is 4,554 m high and is home to the highest mountain hut in Europe: the Capanna Regina Margherita.
- The Signalkuppe is a popular destination for alpine tours and ski tours in both winter and summer. Often part of the famous "Spaghetti Tour".
- The Schwarztor separates the Roccia Nera, the easternmost summit of the Breithorn, from the Pollux.
Special features of the Schwarztor and the Signalkuppe
- The Signalkuppe is home to a scientific laboratory for research into the effects of altitude on the human body.
Safety and risk warnings
- Even if the tour is technically easy, you should not underestimate the alpine risks. The route leads over glaciers where there is always a risk of crevasses. For this reason, you will always be accompanied by a professional and equipped with the necessary safety equipment on ZERMATTERS. Weather changes can occur unexpectedly on the Signalkuppe, which is why the orientation and experience of our local mountain guides are crucial.
Do I need a mountain guide for a ski tour?
Yes, a mountain guide is highly recommended for a ski tour. Ski tours in alpine terrain require experience in avalanche awareness, route selection and snow conditions. Especially in high alpine regions such as Zermatt, many tours lead through challenging terrain with steep descents and possible crevasses. If you want to get the best out of your ski tour and minimize risks, a professional guide is the best choice.
What are the advantages of a local ski tour guide?
A local ski tour guide from Zermatt knows the mountains, snow and weather conditions like no other. Thanks to his regional expertise, the tour can be optimally planned and flexibly adapted to current conditions. He also enriches the experience with exciting stories and insights into the regional culture and mountain world - for a safe and unforgettable ski tour.
What should I look out for when booking a ski tour guide?
Make sure that your mountain guide is certified according to the standards of the International Union of Mountain Guide Associations (UIAGM/IFMGA). This certification guarantees comprehensive training and compliance with the highest safety standards. All ZERMATTERS mountain guides are trained according to these international guidelines.
What difficulty levels are ski tours divided into?
Ski tours are divided into seven main levels of difficulty according to the SAC ski tour scale:
- L: Easy
- WS: Less difficult
- ZS: Fairly difficult
- S: Difficult
- SS: Very difficult
- AS: Extremely Difficult
- EX: Extremely difficult
Each of these grades can be additionally refined by a minus (-) or plus (+) to allow finer gradations.
The classification is based on main criteria such as steepness, exposure, terrain shape and bottlenecks in the descent. Auxiliary criteria such as the complexity of the route and the correctability of errors can also be taken into account.
How do I choose the right ski tour for my ability?
The choice of ski tour should always be based on your personal ability and alpine experience. Our offers are therefore provided with clear information on the level of difficulty, required stamina and technique to help you make the right decision. We will be happy to provide you with personal advice directly.
