Ski Traverse
Tour du Ciel
Valais ski traverse
Südtirolalpin
Certified Mountain Guide
IFMGA - Mountain Guides Associations
Mail suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Prices from
1.150,- €
ABOUT THE TOUR
Five days on skis through the Valais Alps.
5 days · Difficulty ZS (ski tour) · Valais Alps
Tour du Ciel – ski traverse of the Valais Alps: 5 exceptional days of ski mountaineering and the great names of the Valais mountains – almost within reach. That would be the shortest possible way to describe this fantastic ski traverse. But that one sentence definitely does not do justice to the variety and diversity we will experience over these days.
Each day, new and unfamiliar perspectives of the wintry four-thousanders make the ascents fly by. In good snow conditions, vast glacier slopes offer plenty of space to float down into the valley through deep powder. A “heavenly tour” – just as the fitting name of this ski traverse already suggests.
Often referred to as the Haute Route of the Valais Alps, the Tour du Ciel is, however, much more than that and can easily match – if not surpass – the classic ski traverse from Chamonix to Zermatt in terms of experience, scenery, and challenges. A tour that fans of ski traverses should definitely not miss.
INFO
Services
Included in the price:
- Complete organization and guiding by a certified mountain guide
- All necessary reservations will be made in advance
Additional costs:
- 4 nights' accommodation in mountain huts with half board
- 2 cable car tickets (Klein Matterhorn + St. Nikolaus)
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- Expenses (accommodations, cable car) for the mountain guide
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment (€10 per item)
Facts
Location:
Valais Alps
Zermatt - St. Nikolaus
Best time of year:
April
Duration:
5 days
Meeting point:
Zermatt - Train Station
What you need
Requirements:
- Excellent physical condition for daily stages with 1,000–1,700 meters of elevation gain at high altitude, repeated several days in a row
- Long tour days, regularly covering 6 to 8 hours
- Solid kick-turn technique and downhill skiing technique for slopes around 35°
- Confident walking with crampons
- Sure-footedness
- This ski traverse is not for beginners!
PRICING
Participants:
max. 4 people
Prices:
1 person:
2 people:
3 people:
4 people:
3.000,- €
1.800,- €
1.350,- €
1.150,- €
If you have any questions or need further information, please write them in the comment field of the inquiry form.
Before submitting your request: Please read the "important information" about risks in mountaineering carefully.
Dates:
upon request
PROGRAM
Day 1: Breithorn and Schönbielhütte
We meet in the morning at around 8 a.m. (the exact meeting point will be announced at short notice) at the railway station in Zermatt. Together we take the lift up to Klein Matterhorn, climb the technically straightforward summit of the Breithorn to acclimatise, and then enjoy our first long descent. To reach our goal for the day, however, there is still another ascent to tackle in magnificent surroundings directly below the Matterhorn up to the Schönbielhütte.
Total time: ↑ 700 m | ↓ 1,800 m | Difficulty: WS (ski tour)
⌂ Schönbielhütte
Day 2: Col Durand and Mountet
Day 2 takes us across Col Durand, with the first more technically demanding sections, ever deeper into the magnificent mountain world of the Valais. We reach our goal for the day at the Cabane du Mountet after descending across the glacier slopes. A short re-ascent finally brings us to the hut.
Total time: 5.5 h | ↑ 1,200 m | ↓ 1,000 m | Difficulty: ZS- (ski tour)
⌂ Cabane du Mountet
Day 3: Blanc du Moming
On the third day, the Tour du Ciel takes us to the Blanc du Moming. An impressive snow arête, the Arête du Blanc, awaits us on the way to the summit. On the subsequent descent across the glacier slopes, we carve our turns into the snow and once again enjoy scenery of the highest order before things get serious again – with the following ascent to the Col de Milon, a short descent, and putting skins back on once more to reach the day’s destination, the Cabane Tracuit.
Total time: 7.5 h | ↑ 1,700 m | ↓ 1,100 m | Difficulty: ZS (ski tour) / AD (alpine tour)
⌂ Cabane Tracuit
Day 4: Bishorn and Turtmannhütte
Today brings our next ski four-thousander: the Bishorn. We reach the summit via the Turtmanngletscher, with views of practically all the four-thousanders of the Valais as well as the north ridge, which continues directly towards the Weisshorn. A long descent afterwards brings us to the Turtmannhütte.
Total time: 7.5 h | ↑ 1,100 m | ↓ 1,700 m | Difficulty: WS (ski tour) / PD+ (alpine tour)
⌂ Turtmannhütte
Day 5: Wasuhorn and Jungen
The final day of this magnificent Tour du Ciel has arrived. First, we have to reach the Jungtaljoch before, after a short descent and a brief re-ascent, we gain our final summit: the Wasuhorn. One last fantastic north-facing descent of almost 1,400 vertical metres is the enjoyable finale to a superb ski traverse which, thanks to the unique impressions of this mountain world and the effort of many vertical metres, will hopefully remain a fond memory for a long time. Via the hamlet of Jungen, we take the lift down to St. Niklaus.
Total time: ↑ 1,000 m | ↓ 1,500 m | Difficulty: ZS (ski tour)
Any changes to the program that may be necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, accommodation booking situation, etc.) will always be made in consultation with the participants.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - (FAQs)
Who is the Tour du Ciel suitable for?
The Tour du Ciel is intended for experienced ski tourers looking forward to multi-day ski traverses in high-alpine terrain. You should bring the fitness for several long days and confident movement on skis in changing terrain.
What equipment do I need for the tour?
You will receive the exact packing list with the confirmation email. Naturally, your ski touring equipment and suitable ski crampons are essential. Missing equipment can be hired from Südtirolalpin for a small wear fee.
How do arrival and departure work?
The meeting point is at the railway station in Zermatt. The tour ends after the descent via Jungen and the lift ride to St. Niklaus. You will receive the exact organisational details in good time before the tour.
