This itinerary, in which you can practice mountain skiing, is very interesting: you can do active tourism through the most impressive landscapes.
It runs almost entirely through glacial terrain and at an average altitude of over 3,000 m. Therefore, to venture into it, solid training in high winter mountains is required and it is advisable to do the route with a group of expert skiers. A little disorientation, loss of direction or the sudden arrival of bad weather can turn this seemingly easy itinerary into a dangerous trap.
It is advisable to make sure of the weather forecast and the state of the route: with good conditions it will leave us with an indelible memory, but if not, it is preferable to change the objective or stay in the ski slope.
The use of the Klein Matterhorn cable car allows this crossing to be carried out with a clear predominance of descent. Although the total difference between the two days does not reach 2,000 m, it must be taken into account that the route is long and at high altitude.
Recommended time between March and May. The starting point will be Zermatt (Geneva-Lausanne-Visp, or Chamonix-Martigny-Visp). From Visp follow the road towards Tasch, leave the car in the Tasch car park (paid) and take the train to Zermatt.
1st Stage: Zermatt (1616 m)-Breithorn (4164 m)- Monte Rosa Hütte (2795 m). With an ascent difference of 690 m. and one of descent of 1,660 m.
In Zermatt, we head to the starting station of the cable car chain that will take us to the Klein Matterhorn. From there, you descend on skis to the Breithorn plateau (elevation 3,780 m) and climb up the top of the Breithorn (4,164 m). If the snow is hard or icy, crampons may be necessary. Once at the top, we will be able to see most of the four thousand Alps, from the nearby Matterhorn or Mont Rosa to the most distant ones. Do not miss the opportunity to observe the route that we will take next, pay attention to the most important points of it and the presence or absence of traces.
Attention: Even before the construction of the Klein Matterhorn cable car, the Breithorn was reputed to be the easiest four thousand in the Alps. This does not mean that it is free of dangers because, although it may seem impossible in good weather, a storm on the plateau of the Breithorn is a frequent cause of serious accidents.
From the Breithorn, we return to the Breithorn plateau and follow the ski resorts towards the Rosa plateau and the Theodulpass (approx. 3,300 m), where we will abandon the marked route and descend along the Unter Theodulgletscher, which flows (elevation 2,500 m) into the Gornergletscher. From there we will go uphill for just over 5 km, until we reach the Monte Rosa Hütte shelter, the end of the day's stage. Apart from the natural caution when driving on glacial terrain, be sure to observe the magnificent spectacle of mountains that surrounds us, with peaks such as the Weishorn, the Matterhorn, the Lyskamm or the impressive Monte Rosa.
2nd Stage: Monte Rosa Hütte (2,795 m)-Stockhornpass (3,394 m)-Adlerpass (3,789 m)-Britannia Hütte (3,030 m)-Saas Fee (1,792 m). It has an ascent level of 1,280 m. and the descent is 2,000 m.
From the refuge we will continue in the direction of the Stockhornpass, following the route that will take us through this very extensive glacial basin in gentle ascents, flatlands and descents to the foot of the Adlerpass. It now goes up steeper slopes until it overcomes the last steep meters to the hill. Depending on the condition of the snow and the technical level of the group members, it may be necessary to use the rope to overcome the pass. From there, a descent along the Allalingletscher will take us to the Britannia hut (3,030 m) and, following the ski slopes, to the village of Saas Fee.
Variants: One of the additional objectives of the second day is to climb the magnificent Strahlhorn (4,128 m), easily accessible from the Adlerpass. If you have extra days, you can also ascend one of the peaks of Monte Rosa from the Monte Rosa Hütte, or ascend the Allalinhorn (4,027 m) or the Alphubel (4,206 m) from the Britannia hut (Britannia Hütte). The easy access to the Britannia cabin from the Saas Fee slopes allows the group to meet other less expert companions, who arrive using the resort's ski lifts.
