Skitour - Schwarztor
Ski tour between peaks and across glaciers
Endurance
3Walking time 6-7 hours. Up to approx. 1200 hm. More demanding tour with longer descent, solid basic stamina required.
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
6 hours
Date
Mid-February - Mid-Aprildepending on the conditions of the exit
Participants
1 - 5 people
Gallery (5)
Ski tour - Schwarztor
The Schwarztor (3'720 m, engl. “black gate”) is a popular tour destination above Zermatt. The gate lies between Roccia Nera (4'069 m) and Pollux (4'092 m). The descent takes you over the Schwärze and Gorner glaciers, through the Gorner gorge and ends in Furi (1'862 m). This ski tour is often combined with a summit (e.g. Breithorn or Pollux) or used as an approach to the Monte Rosa hut.
Description
The tour starts at the Klein Matterhorn (3'883 m), the highest mountain station in Europe. A unique panorama in the middle of the Alps awaits you there. You ski over glaciers past the imposing south face of the Breithorn, the Rossi e Volante bivouac and on to the Schwarztor with a constant view of the Aosta Valley. The rather short ascents make this tour popular with connoisseurs and the long descent from Schwarztor to Zermatt is one of the most beautiful in the area.
Program
Meet your local, IFMGA-certified mountain guide at 8:30 a.m. at the Matterhorn Express valley station
Cable car ride to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station (3,883 m)
Descent along the south face of the Breithorn and ascent to the Schwarztor—located between Roccia Nera and Pollux
Descent through the Schwarztor, across the Schwärze and Gorner glaciers, and then through the gorge to Furi
Return trip to Zermatt from Furi
Additional costs
- Train journey Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn: from approx. CHF 70.00.
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 17:00 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.
Safety and risk warnings
Even though 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 come as a surprise at Schwarztor, 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.
Ski tour - Schwarztor
The Schwarztor (3'720 m, engl. “black gate”) is a popular tour destination above Zermatt. The gate lies between Roccia Nera (4'069 m) and Pollux (4'092 m). The descent takes you over the Schwärze and Gorner glaciers, through the Gorner gorge and ends in Furi (1'862 m). This ski tour is often combined with a summit (e.g. Breithorn or Pollux) or used as an approach to the Monte Rosa hut.
- Endurance
3Walking time 6-7 hours. Up to approx. 1200 hm. More demanding tour with longer descent, solid basic stamina required. - 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
6 hours - Date
Mid-February - Mid-Aprildepending on the conditions of the exit - Participants
1 - 5 people
Duration
- Ascent to Schwarztor (3,720 m): approx. 2.5 - 3 hours from the Klein Matterhorn station
- Descent via the Schwärze and Gorner glaciers to Zermatt: approx. 2.5 - 3 hours from Schwarztor
Description
The tour starts at the Klein Matterhorn (3'883 m), the highest mountain station in Europe. A unique panorama in the middle of the Alps awaits you there. You ski over glaciers past the imposing south face of the Breithorn, the Rossi e Volante bivouac and on to the Schwarztor with a constant view of the Aosta Valley. The rather short ascents make this tour popular with connoisseurs and the long descent from Schwarztor to Zermatt is one of the most beautiful in the area.
Program
Meet your local, IFMGA-certified mountain guide at 8:30 a.m. at the Matterhorn Express valley station
Cable car ride to the Klein Matterhorn mountain station (3,883 m)
Descent along the south face of the Breithorn and ascent to the Schwarztor—located between Roccia Nera and Pollux
Descent through the Schwarztor, across the Schwärze and Gorner glaciers, and then through the gorge to Furi
Return trip to Zermatt from Furi
Additional costs
- Train journey Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn: from approx. CHF 70.00.
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 17:00 at the latest after the tour
- Other equipment: from CHF 80.00, available in a sports store in Zermatt
Material
So that you are well equipped for the ski tour through the Schwarztor, 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.
Safety and risk warnings
Even though 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 come as a surprise at Schwarztor, 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.
