Set in the heart of the stunning Swiss alpine arena of the Val d’Anniviers, the ski ascent of the Bishorn provides both a wonderful journey and logical descent, of a big mountain! The climb to the lovely Tracuit Hut from Zinal is highly physical but rewarded with both superb views and a great base camp at the impressively situated and hospitable Cabane. The summit climb the next morning provides an inspiring glacier journey and amazing panorama before the huge 2500m ski descent to Zinal with a welcome tea and cakes stop en route!
2026 Ski The Bishorn Dates & Guiding Fees
Ski The Bishorn Conditions
Course Aims
- Ski The Bishorn
- Enjoy 2 days of ski mountaineering in the stunning Val d’Anniviers
- Complete a physically challenging climb to the hut & long ski back down to the valley
- Spend an enjoyable evening in the smart Swiss alpine Tracuit Hut
- Refine ski mountaineering skills
- Help prepare you for future ski mountaineering expeditions
- Optional pre-trip acclimatisation on our West Oberland weekend & Ski Gran Pardiso courses
- Optional continuation to our Ski Mont Blanc or Ski Dufourspitze private guiding
The superbly situated Tracuit Hut at the base of the glacier ski to the Bishorn.
Plan A Itinerary
Our 2 day ski Bishorn summit trip starts with a combination of our West Oberland Ski Touring Weekend or Ski Gran Paradiso course, with a rest day in-between. It’s important to do both some warm up skiing and acclimatisation in advance of this physical & high altitude trip so if you are not doing the above courses you will need to arrange some private guiding or supply details of other skiing you are doing prior to joining the team.
- Pre Course. As with all our ski courses, we recommend you prepare as much as possible in advance with relevant ‘ski fit’ preparation and then arrive several days before the course to acclimatise, warm up your ski legs and check equipment. This is especially important if you will be renting boots or skis & bindings. Please make sure your skis are well serviced & bindings correctly adjusted.
- Day 1. Meet in Chamonix, drive to Zinal and set off up the physical approach to the Tracuit Hut.
Skinning through the meadows en route to the Tracuit Hut
- There is a a solid 1600m of ascent including some walking with skis on packs to get going followed by easy skinning then some steep kick turns and even a little booting section through a very small rock band near the hut.
Climbing through the little rock wall near the Tracuit Hut. A chain and some bolts in place.
- After a physical ascent it’s important to rest and relax at the hut, re-hydrate and enjoy the good hospitality, food and amazing views from the dining room at Tracuit. We also have a briefing on the plan for the summit day tomorrow.
Despite its high altitude location (3256m) the Cabane de Tracuit is a superb base camp for the ascent of the Bishorn. With great views from the dining room!
Full moon over the Dent Blanche at dusk from the Tracuit Hut
- Day 2. The 900m ascent from hut to summit is less physical than valley to hut and allows for the appreciation of this high altitude glacier ski mountaineering journey with stunning views of the surrounding Swiss Valais Alps.
Early, but not too early departure from Tracuit en route to ski the Bishorn in early May
Skinning and skiing tracks with the summit of the Bishorn beyond. A brilliant logical ski peak.
- The ascent is mainly easy touring with steady skinning on the glacier and a few kick turns higher up.
Steady skinning in stunning scenery on the Turtmann Glacier
- Higher up there are a few more kick turns and, depending on conditions either a short steep section with ski or boot crampons to reach the summit.
Skinning right to the summit – a pleasure on a ski peak and enhanced by the wonderful views of the giants of the Swiss Valais Alps. Here the Dom and Tasch beyond with the Alphubel and Rimfischorn on the right.
- After savouring the panoramic views to some of the real giants of the Swiss Alps there is an appealing descent with wide slopes, sustained and a little steep to begin with followed by real open cruising terrain back to the hut for a well earned coffee and cake.
The ski descent of the Turtman Glacier on the Bishorn. Lovely fresh tracks in cold light powder above the hut and juicy spring snow below it.
The ski mountaineering descent, great fun in these conditions but also a swift and efficient cruise down the mountain. So much easier than walking!
- With a bit of luck we get to enjoy the classic spring combination of fresh tracks in high altitude north facing powder on the upper mountain followed by sun softened juicy spring snow on the south west facing slopes below the hut…
Beautiful spring snow turns below the Tracuit Hut with the Schalihorn beyond.
- With even more luck the spring snow cover will extend right down in to the Zinal Valley although a significant walk is common in late spring too. This is fine, we can stash some trainers behind a rock on the way up and enjoy taking the ski boots off and a final hike out whilst enjoying the beautiful spring ambiance in the upper Val d’Anniviers.
Old shepherds hut en route to the Tracuit Hut above Zinal with Besso beyond.
Fitness, Ski & Mountaineering Skills Required For Skiing The Bishorn
- A very high level of aerobic fitness is required for the 1600m hut climb with significant distance and a very physical couple of days. Good skiing stamina is also required for the long descent with some sustained slopes and moderately exposed terrain in a few places.
- Ski touring experience is required with the ability to kick turn reliably on steep slopes, use ski crampons and and perform efficient transitions with your ski gear whilst on the mountain.
- Strong, confident and technically competent skier able to deal with variable off-piste snow conditions on slopes up to 35 degrees. An ability to manoeuvre skis around crevasses and other obstacles with precision & confidence.
- Some mountaineering experience with crampons would be useful but is not essential.
Team Approach. These are group / team courses. We work hard to try and ensure that all guests meet our pre-requirements for fitness and relevant experience, but sometimes things can happen in the mountains meaning that descent for the whole team is required. This is non-negotiable so you need to be aware of that possibility and embrace this important team element to the trip, which has many positive elements. Please read our FAQ on the difference between group courses and private guiding here. If you are keen to maximise your time in terms of individual ski coaching, or completing longer / more physical tours then we recommend Chamonix private ski guiding.
Let’s get physical! The ascent to the Tracuit Hut from Zinal, via the Cote de la Maya. Not only 1700m+ of ascent – but plenty of unrelentingly steep goat tracks too. With skis and boots on the heavy packs…this is good training!
Dave Owen, Ski Bishorn Winter Room Trip, May 2025
This is just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the ski touring and climbing last month. The hut trips in Italy, the day skiing powder from Aiguille de Midi, and the tremendous winter room expedition to ski the Bishorn in Switzerland were all fantastic experiences. I really appreciated the level of preparation and planning you provided for David and myself, in the face of pretty challenging weather and snow conditions.
2026 Ski The Bishorn – Dates & Course Fees
- £495 – 2 day course
- £1290 – With 3 Day Ski Gran Paradiso Programme
- £1695 – With 3 Day Ski Gran Paradiso Programme + 2 Day West Oberland Weekend
What’s included in the Open Course Price?
- 2, 5 or 7 days ski & mountaineering guiding with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Transport during the course
What’s not included?
- Valley accommodation. Please see our Chamonix accommodation and venue info.
- Mountain huts & lift passes, for you and the guides. Allow about 90 euros per night half board accommodation and about 50 euros per day for lift passes. The guides expenses are split between the group members and are discounted in huts and on lifts (most Chamonix based guides have a season pass).
- Flights and transfers from the airport to Chamonix.
- Food and drink during the course
- Ski equipment. Check the kit list below
- Transceiver, shovel and probe hire
- Crampons, axe, harness hire
- Any lift passes / additional expenses for Plan B itineraries
2026 Private Guiding – Dates & Fees
Our Bishorn courses run from early April through to late May and even early June some years! Mid April or early May is usually a good time for reliable conditions although of course there are no guarantees with the weather or snow conditions at any time of year.
What’s included in the Price?
- 4 full days ski & mountaineering guiding with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
- Loan of transceiver, shovel & probe, harness, helmet, ice axe and crampons as required
- Transport during the course
What’s not included?
- Valley accommodation. Please see our Chamonix accommodation and venue info.
- Mountain huts & lift passes, for you and the guides. Allow about 90 euros per night half board accommodation and about 50 euros per day for lift passes. The guides expenses are split between the group members and are discounted in huts and on lifts (most Chamonix based guides have a season pass).
- Flights and transfer from the airport to Chamonix.
- Food and drink during the course
- Ski equipment. Check the kit list below
Equipment List For Skiing The Bishorn
Ski The Bishorn Conditions
If you have skied on The Bishorn recently please add any relevant comments on snow & ski conditions via the contact form at the base of the page. Thanks & bon ski!
15 May 2025 – Superb Spring Snow Conditions For The Bishorn Via The Tracuit Hut Winter Room
A brilliant but highly physical trip with great snow conditions for both the ascent and descent. Fresh tracks in lovely powder from the summit to the Tracuit Hut then juicy spring snow below Tracuit. Then a pretty big walk back to Zinal! Photos and report on our news page here:
