Set in the heart of the stunning Zermatt skyline and among the other Swiss giants of this remarkable alpine arena, the Dufourspitze is the 2nd highest peak in the Alps and its ski ascent forms a logical, but physically tough and technical ascent.

With base camp at the brilliant Monte Rosa Hut this trip makes for an inspiring late spring ski mountaineering expedition combining a long physical glacier ski ascent to a beautiful exposed high altitude alpine mountaineering ridge traverse…

2026 Ski The Dufourspitze Dates & Guiding Fees

Ski The Dufour Conditions

Pre-dawn departure from the Monte Rosa Hut en route to ski the Dufour.  Long way, big day!

Course Aims

  • Ski The Dufourspitze
  • Enjoy 3 days of ski mountaineering in the stunning Swiss Monte Rosa Massif
  • Complete a physically & technically challenging long climb on a very big peak
  • Spend 2 enjoyable evenings in the brilliant Swiss alpine Monte Rosa Hut
  • Refine existing ski mountaineering skills
  • Help prepare you for future ski mountaineering expeditions
  • Optional pre-trip acclimatisation on our Spring Ski Summits & Ski Bishorn courses
  • Optional continuation to our Ski Mont Blanc private guiding trip

Easy skinning and velvet snow on the approach to the Dufourspitze West Ridge

Plan A Itinerary

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.
  • 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 pre-courses described below you will need to arrange some private guiding or supply details of other skiing you are doing prior to joining the team.
  • Our 3 day ski Dufourspitze trip starts with a combination of our Spring Ski Summits and Ski Bishorn courses, with a rest day in-between.

Day 1

  • Meet in Chamonix for the drive to Tasch (or meet in the Rhone Valley).  Train to Zermatt and train or ski lift to start the approach to the Monte Rosa Hut
  • Depending on conditions we either ski the Theodulglacier from Kleinne Matterhorn or approach from the Rotenboden train station.  Either way, we traverse the mighty Gorner Glacier en route to the superb ‘new’ Monte Rosa Hut 2882m

The amazing position and atmosphere of the Monte Rosa 2883m Hut above Zermatt.

The superb base camp at the Monte Rosa Hut with views across the massive Gorner Glacier to the East Face of the Matterhornn, Hornli Ridge on the right hand skyline, and the, equally brilliant, south ridge of the Dent Blance is the left hand skyline of the peak to the right.

  • 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, and stair case!  We also have a briefing on the plan for the summit day tomorrow & do any final equipment checks as required.

Day 2

  • This is a big summit day combining lots of different types of ski and mountaineering terrain and thus requiring lots of varied skills along the way
  • Great fitness is also required for the 1750m of ascent to an altitude of 4633m
  • There is plenty of steady skinning on the glacier but equally several sections where sustained & exposed kick turns are required

Climbing high on the skins towards the base of the West Ridge at around 4300m

  • From a ski depot at the col below the West Ridge we take to crampons and steep snow slopes, with increasingly technical mixed terrain above.

Enjoyable mountaineering in good conditions in a stunning location. The late spring ascent of the West Ridge of the Dufourspitze.

  • This ridge gets the alpine grade of around PD+ to AD- and we also descend this way, so good mountaineering skills are required for the full team.

Leaving the first mixed section on the West Ridge of the Dufourspitze. The 2nd snowy ridge section above leads to the final mixed summit ridge.

  • Once back at the skis there is hopefully some high altitude north facing spring powder to enjoy on the north facing slopes below and these usually give way to juicy spring snow lower down, although there can be a ‘transitional’ phase in-between!

High on the ski descent of the Dufourspitze, with the East face of the Matterhorn & Hornli Ridge beyond

  • It’s great to have a 2nd night in the hut and this means the ascent & descent can be fully enjoyed with less time pressure and a relaxing afternoon of sight seeing from the hut can then be enjoyed after a well deserved rösti!

Day 3

  • This last day involves more than just a ski down the mighty Gorner Glacier.  First there is a technical passage between the hut and the amazing high altitude glacier plateau to the north east high on the Swiss – Italian alpine border.

    Setting off on the technical passage linking Monte Rosa Hut with the Stockhorn Pass. Photo Kev Avery

  • From here there are options to ski a glacial summit, right on the border, and brilliantly named, Cima di Jazzi 3792m.  Or, depending on conditions explore other passes and big glacier descents to Zermatt.
  • There is usually a bit of late spring walking, skis on packs, to finish this run, this trip and probably the ski season in general!
  • …Unless you want a day off and then join us to ski Mont Blanc!

The lower Gorner Glacier and rocky scramble to bypass the Gorge section

Fitness, Ski and Mountaineering Experience Pre-Requirements

A very high level of mountain fitness is required for this course in order to complete multiple long summit ski days in a row.  Thus an ability to comfortably maintain an ascent rate of 350m/hr on skins or foot for 5-6  hours with regular transitions, which also require effort and energy!

Strong and effective off-piste skiing ability is also required with an ability to ski in all types of snow conditions including steep and exposed terrain up to around 35-40 degrees.

Ski touring experience is also required and a strong and reliable kick turn and ability to use ski crampons and make efficient transitions.

Existing mountaineering experience with ice axe and crampons is also required 

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 Dufourspitze – Dates & Course Fees

Max guiding ratio of 1 Guide : 2 Guests 

What’s included in the Open Course Price?

  • 3 days ski & mountaineering guiding with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
  • car transport from Chamonix to Tasch

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 95 euros per night half board accommodation and about 50 euros per day for lift passes.
  • The guides discounted hut expenses are split between the group members
  • 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 Ski Dufourspitze courses run from early April through to mid May!  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.

£3360

What’s included in the Price?

  • 5 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 guide. Allow about 150 euros per night half board accommodation and about 100 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 Mountaineering Kit List

Ski The Dufourspitze Conditions

If you have skied on the Dufour recently please add any relevant comments on snow & ski conditions via the contact form at the base of the page. Thanks & bon ski!

10 May 2019 – Superb Powder Then Spring Snow Conditions For The Dufourspitze Via Monte Rosa Hut

A brilliant & highly physical trip with fine snow conditions for both the ski & mountaineering ascent, and descent.  Photos and report on our news page here:

10 May 2019, Ski Dufourspitze 4634m