It is one of the ultimate challenges for advanced skiers: the Matterhorn Ski Safari! SnowTrex knows why skiers looking for that certain challenge should definitely take on this safari.
What is the Matterhorn Ski Safari?
The Matterhorn Ski Safari is a skiing experience in a class of its own: within one skiing day, you explore over 10,000 metres of altitude! No lift or cable car is used twice. Technical support is provided by the Ski Safari function in the Skiguide Zermatt app.
The route leads over perfectly groomed sections of piste, always starting at the Rothorn. Skiers can then choose whether they want to complete the “Silver” or the “Gold” Safari. Both routes lead over Riffelberg, the Theodul glacier (Trockener Steg) and into the Matterhorn glacier paradise ski area. The “Gold” route then takes you to the slopes of Italy – to Breuil-Cervinia and Testa Grigia. In the evening, the routes lead back to Zermatt via Stafelalp. What a great day of skiing!
The “Silver” Route: The Matterhorn Ski Safari 10,500
On the Matterhorn Ski Safari 10,500, safari skiers explore the Rothorn area, the Gornergrat and the Matterhorn glacier paradise ski area. As the name suggests, you cover around 10,500 metres in altitude. In addition to your own skis, a whole 24 cable cars and lifts transport you to the next section of piste on this route – none of these means of ascent are used twice. Here is an overview of the route stations:
1. Zermatt Sunnegga (668 metres in altitude)
2. Eja Sunnegga (260 m)
3. Sunnegga Blauherd (282 m)
4. Patrullarve Blauherd (619 m)
5. Blauherd Rothorn (484 m)
6. Kumme Rothorn (324 m)
7. Gant Hohtälli (1,063 m)
8. Eja Breitboden (395 m)
9. Riffelalp Riffelberg (371 m)
10. Riffelberg Gifthittli (375 m)
11. Schweigmatte – Riffelberg (711 m)
12. Schweigmatte via Furi Schwarzsee (720 m)
13. Schwarzsee Furgg (147 m)
14. Furgg Trockener Steg (487 m)
15. Trockener Steg Matterhorn glacier paradise (881 m)
16. Testa (201 m)
17. Cervinia Plan Maison (505 m)
18. Plan Maison Laghi cime Bianche (257 m)
19. Laghi cime Bianche Test Grigia (668 m)
20. Plan Maison Fornet (335 m)
21. Fornet Bontadini (190 m)
22. Bontadini Theodul Pass (231 m)
23. Dry footbridge Furggsattel (426 m)
24. Furgg Sandiger Boden (359 m)
The “Gold” Route: The Matterhorn Ski Safari 12,500
The supreme discipline of the Matterhorn Ski Safari is the “Gold” route: the Matterhorn Ski Safari 12,500. In contrast to the “Silver” route, here you cover an additional 2,000 metres in altitude. You also leave Swiss soil and enjoy the slopes of “Bella Italia” before returning to Zermatt in the evening. Here is an overview of the route stations:
1. Zermatt Sunnegga (668 metres in altitude)
2. Eja Sunnegga (260 m)
3. Sunnegga Blauherd (282 m)
4. Patrullarve Blauherd (619 m)
5. Blauherd Rothorn (484 m)
6. Kumme Rothorn (324 m)
7. Gant Hohtälli (1,063 m)
8. Eja Breitboden (395 m)
9. Riffelalp Riffelberg (371 m)
10. Riffelberg Gifthittli (375 m)
11. Schweigmatte – Riffelberg (711 m)
12. Schweigmatte via Furi Schwarzsee (720 m)
13. Schwarzsee Furgg (147 m)
14. Furgg Trockener Steg (487 m)
15. Trockener Steg Matterhorn glacier paradise (881 m)
16. Testa (201 m)
16a. Valtournenche Salette (721 m)
16b. Salette Becca D aran (215 m)
16c. Salette Motta (185 m)
16d. Motta Du Col (485 m)
16e. Du Col Gran Sometta (250 m)
17. Cervinia Plan Maison (505 m)
18. Plan Maison Laghi cime Bianche (257 m)
19. Laghi cime Bianche Test Grigia (668 m)
20. Plan Maison Fornet (335 m)
21. Fornet Bontadini (190 m)
22. Bontadini Theodul Pass (231 m)
23. Dry footbridge Furggsattel (426 m)
24. Furgg Sandiger Boden (359 m)
Conclusion
The Matterhorn Ski Safari is suitable for every advanced skier who is looking for a special challenge and has a certain degree of stamina. Here, skiing can be experienced in a whole new way, and always against the dream backdrop of the impressive Matterhorn! Let’s go to Zermatt!
