Ski tour Aebihorn

Ski tour to the Äbihorn

  • Endurance
    4
    Walking time 8-9 hours. Up to approx. 1600 metres altitude. For experienced alpinists with very good stamina.
  • Technique
    3
    You are experienced in the terrain. You can master hairpin bends even in steeper terrain (35°), ski in a controlled manner in all types of snow and can move safely and with stamina on ascents.
  • Duration
    5 - 6 h
  • Date
    End of January - Mid-April
  • Participants
    1 - 6 people

The Äbihorn lies south of the Ober Gabelhorn and is a quiet summit with impressive views of the famous north and south faces around Zermatt. This tour is perfect for ski touring fans looking for a secluded, sporty line - also ideal as training for the Patrouille des Glaciers.


About this tour



Duration

  • Ascent to the summit of the Äbihorn (3,473 m): approx. 3 - 4 hours from Schwarzsee
  • Descent to Zermatt (1620 m): approx. 2 hours

Date

Daily from the end of January to mid-April, depending on the conditions


Number of participants

1 - 6 participants per mountain guide


Description

Your ski touring day starts at the Schwarzsee mountain station with a short descent on the ski slope, ideal for warming up. We ski up at Stafelalp and make our way towards Äbihorn. The view always remains focused on the impressive south face of the Ober Gabelhorn, which towers directly in front of us. At a steady, energy-saving pace, we work our way up over secluded slopes, far away from the hustle and bustle of skiing and with increasing tranquillity.

An impressive panorama of the Matterhorn, Dent d'Hérens, Dent Blanche and the surrounding 4000-metre peaks of the Couronne Impériale awaits you at the summit. After a break on the panoramic summit, the long descent back to Zermatt begins. An absolute delight in good conditions.


Program

1

Meeting point at 08:15 with your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)

2

Joint cable car ride to the Schwarzsee mountain station

3

Descent on the ski piste to the Stafelalp mountain restaurant

4

Ascent with the Äbihorn skis

5

Descent over the Arben Glacier to Zermatt

6

Say goodbye to your mountain guide.


Meeting point

08:15 at the Matterhorn Express valley station, at Dorsaz Sport

Meeting point on Google Maps

Matterhorn Express valley station at Dorsaz Sport


"Climbing up the lonely and untouched Arbental valley is unique. But reaching the summit of the Äbihorn with a constant view of the north face of the Matterhorn is an experience in itself."

Emanuel Julen

Mountain guide, board member


Additional costs

  • Train journey Zermatt-Schwarzsee: from CHF 50.00
    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 to the Äbihorn, you should definitely have this equipment with you.


  • Touring skis with running binding (binding adjusted)
  • Touring ski boots
  • Telescopic poles
  • Skins
  • Crampons
  • Climbing harness
  • 1 carabiner
  • ice axe
  • Backpack max 30L - skis must be able to be tied on
  • Shovel
  • Probe
  • Avalanche Transceiver
  • Warm, weatherproof touring ski clothing
  • Warm gloves
  • Finger gloves
  • Helmet
  • Hat / headband
  • Goggles, sunglasses, sun cream
  • Thermos flask, drinks
  • Snacks (high-energy food such as chocolate, dried fruit, energy bars)

Equipment rental:
You can rent the following equipment from our office:

  • Avalanche equipment (avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes, ABS backpacks)
  • Crampons
  • Hiking poles
  • Climbing harness
  • Via ferrata set
  • Thin gloves

If you need more equipment, you can hire it from a sports store in Zermatt.


Insurance

Insurance is the responsibility of the participant. We recommend valid accident and evacuation insurance.


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 Äbihorn

General information about the Äbihorn

  • The Äbihorn lies south of the Ober Gabelhorn and is a less frequented ski touring mountain away from the crowds.
  • The technically easy ascent requires stamina and a good feel for the line in the terrain.
  • The summit offers one of the most impressive views in the Zermatt mountains.

Special features of the Äbihorn

  • Magnificent view of the south face of the Ober Gabelhorn from a unique angle.
  • If desired, the tour can be extended with a detour to the Arbenbiwak.
  • A real insider tip for ambitious ski tourers and those hungry for training.

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, ZERMATTERS will always accompany you professionally and provide you with the necessary safety equipment. Weather changes can occur unexpectedly on the Äbihorn, which is why the orientation and experience of our local mountain guides are crucial.



FAQ

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.

What equipment do I need for a ski tour?

The equipment required varies depending on the ski tour and can be viewed directly on the equipment list for the respective ski tour.

When will a final decision be made about the ski tour?

The final decision is usually made 48 hours before the start of the ski tour, based on current weather and route conditions. The ZERMATTERS home base will inform you in good time and make any necessary adjustments.

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.

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