Ski tour Tête Blanche - Training Patrouille des Glaciers (PdG)
Ski tour to the Tête Blanche
-
Endurance
Level 3Walking time 6-7 hours. Up to approx. 1200 vertical meters. Solid physical condition required, also in alpine terrain. -
Technique
Level 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
6 - 7 h -
Date
Beginning of February - end of April -
Participants
1 - 6 people
Gallery (4)
Highlights
Description
Your ski tour starts at the Schwarzsee mountain station. During a short descent on the piste, you warm up for the long ascent. We put the skins on our skis at around Stafelalp. From there, the route takes us over the Zmutt Glacier, directly alongside the imposing north face of the Matterhorn. A sight that gets under your skin. We continue to climb, pass the striking Stockji and steadily gain altitude until we finally reach the Tête Blanche. A beautiful summit cross and a panoramic view that stretches from Mont Collon to the Dufourspitze await you at the top. The descent follows the ascent route and leads us back down into the valley to Zermatt in long turns.
Program
Meeting point at 08:15 with your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
Joint cable car ride to the Schwarzsee mountain station
Descent on the ski slope to the Stafelalp mountain restaurant
Ascent on skis to the Tête Blanche
Descent over the Zmutt Glacier to Zermatt
Say goodbye to your mountain guide.
Additional costs
- Train journey Zermatt-Schwarzsee: from approx. 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 by 5 p.m. at the latest after the tour
- 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
- 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)
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 Tête Blanche
General information about the Tête Blanche
- The Tête Blanche is 3,706 m high and almost completely glaciated
- The summit is on the route of the Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) and the Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt
Special features of the Tête Blanche
- The Tête Blanche is the highest point of the legendary Patrouille des Glaciers. One of the most famous ski touring races in the world, which runs from Zermatt to Verbier every two years
Safety and risk warnings
- Even though the tour is not technically very difficult, you should not underestimate the alpine risks. The route leads over glaciers where there is always a risk of crevasses. For this reason, ZERMATTERS is always accompanied by professionals and equipped with the necessary safety gear. Weather changes can come as a surprise on the Tête Blanche, 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
Level 3Walking time 6-7 hours. Up to approx. 1200 vertical meters. Solid physical condition required, also in alpine terrain. -
Technique
Level 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
6 - 7 h -
Date
Beginning of February - end of April -
Participants
1 - 6 people
We take you up the Tête Blanche - the highest point of the legendary Patrouille des Glaciers. The ascent is long and spectacularly scenic and is rewarded with a long glacier descent. Ideal for experienced ski tourers who love the high mountains.
Highlights
Duration
- Ascent to Tête Blanche (3,700 m): approx. 4 - 5 hours from Schwarzsee
- Descent to Zermatt (1,620 m): approx. 2 hours
Description
Your ski tour starts at the Schwarzsee mountain station. During a short descent on the piste, you warm up for the long ascent. We put the skins on our skis at around Stafelalp. From there, the route takes us over the Zmutt Glacier, directly alongside the imposing north face of the Matterhorn. A sight that gets under your skin. We continue to climb, pass the striking Stockji and steadily gain altitude until we finally reach the Tête Blanche. A beautiful summit cross and a panoramic view that stretches from Mont Collon to the Dufourspitze await you at the top. The descent follows the ascent route and leads us back down into the valley to Zermatt in long turns.
Program
Meeting point at 08:15 with your local and IFMGA-certified mountain guide at the Matterhorn Express valley station (depending on the season)
Joint cable car ride to the Schwarzsee mountain station
Descent on the ski slope to the Stafelalp mountain restaurant
Ascent on skis to the Tête Blanche
Descent over the Zmutt Glacier to Zermatt
Say goodbye to your mountain guide.
Additional costs
- Train journey Zermatt-Schwarzsee: from approx. 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 by 5 p.m. at the latest after the tour
- 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 on the Tête Blanche, 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)
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 Tête Blanche
General information about the Tête Blanche
- The Tête Blanche is 3,706 m high and almost completely glaciated
- The summit is on the route of the Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) and the Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt
Special features of the Tête Blanche
- The Tête Blanche is the highest point of the legendary Patrouille des Glaciers. One of the most famous ski touring races in the world, which runs from Zermatt to Verbier every two years
Safety and risk warnings
- Even though the tour is not technically very difficult, you should not underestimate the alpine risks. The route leads over glaciers where there is always a risk of crevasses. For this reason, ZERMATTERS is always accompanied by professionals and equipped with the necessary safety gear. Weather changes can come as a surprise on the Tête Blanche, 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.
