Matterhorn Ski Safari · Level Black

Vertical Mission 12K

  • Start: Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station · Switzerland · Italy
  • Required ticket: International

At a glance

Experts Closed

Currently closed: Zermatt - Sunnegga, Sunnegga - Blauherd, Blauherd - Rothorn and 63 more. The route can currently not be skied completely.

08:30 o'clock
ca. 8 h 20 min
142 km
29 Lifts
10 Stages

Ready for the route?

What you need to know

Show checklist

  • Ski pass international

    The Ski pass international is required for this route.

  • Early start

    Starting early helps to complete all the vertical metres in one day.

  • Discover Zermatt, Cervinia (IT) and Valtournenche (IT)

    Experience all the ski resorts on both the Swiss and Italian sides in a single day.

  • A challenging ski experience

    The many descents require confident skiing and good fitness.

  • Helmets are compulsory

    Helmets are mandatory on the slopes in Italy.

  • Don’t miss the last connection

    Check the operating hours for the return journey to Switzerland.

Ten challenging stages through the entire Matterhorn Ski Paradise

The day at a glance

The entire Matterhorn Ski Paradise in one day: The Matterhorn Ski Safari Vertical Mission 12K takes you through the entire ski area on both the Swiss and Italian sides, all the way to Valtournenche. The most extensive route combines challenging slopes and long distances, requiring plenty of stamina, an early start and a fast pace.

  1. 1 Zermatt & Rothorn 5 Lifts · 7 Runs · 1 h 15 min
  2. 2 Blauherd & Gant 2 Lifts · 3 Runs · 30 min
  3. 3 Gant & Riffelberg 2 Lifts · 6 Runs · 45 min
  4. 4 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gran Sometta 5 Lifts · 5 Runs · 1 h 20 min
  5. 5 Gran Sometta & Valtournenche 2 Lifts · 3 Runs · 40 min
  6. 6 Valtournenche & Cervinia 4 Lifts · 5 Runs · 1 h 10 min
  7. 7 Cervinia & Plateau Rosa 3 Lifts · 3 Runs · 45 min
  8. 8 Theodulpass & Trockener Steg 3 Lifts · 2 Runs · 40 min
  9. 9 Furggsattel & Furgg 1 Lift · 3 Runs · 30 min
  10. 10 Schwarzsee & Zermatt 2 Lifts · 5 Runs · 45 min
  11. Zermatt 16:50

Stage 1 of 10 · Zermatt → Rothorn → Patrullarve

Zermatt & Rothorn

1 h 15 min
5 Lifts
7 Runs

From Zermatt, the route leads via Sunnegga and Blauherd up to Rothorn. The first descents follow the Downhill, Kumme and Tufternkumme slopes before Kumme gondola takes you back up to Rothorn. From there, the Rotweng and Obere National slopes lead towards Patrullarve.

5 Lifts · 7 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Zermatt - Sunnegga Closed
  2. Sunnegga - Blauherd Closed
  3. Blauherd - Rothorn Closed
  4. 13 · Downhill Black run Closed
  5. 14 · Kumme Red run Closed
  6. 15 · Tufternkumme Red run Closed
  7. 15b · Tufternkumme Black run Closed
  8. Tuftern - Tufternkumme Closed
  9. Tufternkumme - Rothorn Closed
  10. 11 · Rotweng oben Red run Closed
  11. 11 · Rotweng unten Red run Closed
  12. 8 · Obere National Black run Closed

Stage 2 of 10 · Patrullarve → Blauherd → Gant

Blauherd & Gant

30 min
2 Lifts
3 Runs

The Patrullarve chairlift takes you up to Blauherd. From there, the Standard and Easyrun slopes lead to the Eja chairlift, followed by the Grünsee slope down to Gant.

2 Lifts · 3 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Patrullarve Closed
  2. 7 · Standard Blue run Closed
  3. 6 · Easy run Red run Closed
  4. Eja - Breitenboden Closed
  5. 26 · Grünsee Red run Closed

Stage 3 of 10 · Gant → Hohtälli → Schweigmatten

Gant & Riffelberg

45 min
2 Lifts
6 Runs

From Gant, the cable car takes you up to Hohtälli. The Hohtälli and Gifthittli slopes lead to the Gifthittli chairlift. The route then continues via Riffelalp and Landtunnel to Schweigmatten.

2 Lifts · 6 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Gant - Hohtälli Closed
  2. 44 · Hohtälli Red run Closed
  3. 35 · Gifthittli Red run Closed
  4. Gifthittli Closed
  5. 35 · Gifthittli Red run Closed
  6. 39 · Riffelalp Red run Closed
  7. 41 · Landtunnel Red run Closed
  8. 42 · Schweigmatten Red run Closed

Stage 4 of 10 · Schweigmatten → Matterhorn Glacier Paradise → Gran Sometta

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gran Sometta

1 h 20 min
5 Lifts
5 Runs

The route leads via Furi, Schwarzsee and Trockener Steg up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. From there, the Testa II and Ventina Ghiacciaio slopes take you across the border into Italy. The route then continues via Colle Cime Bianche and Gran Roc towards Gran Sometta.

5 Lifts · 5 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Furi - Riffelberg Closed
  2. Furi - Schwarzsee Closed
  3. Schwarzsee - Furgg Closed
  4. Furgg - Trockener Steg Closed
  5. Matterhorn Glacier Ride I Closed
  6. 85.1 · Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Red run Closed
  7. 88 · Testa II Blue run Closed
  8. 7 · Ventina Ghiacciaio Red run Closed
  9. 35 · Ventina - Colle Cime Bianche Red run Closed
  10. 11 · Gran Sometta Blue run Closed

Stage 5 of 10 · Gran Sometta → Becca d'Aran → Valtournenche

Gran Sometta & Valtournenche

40 min
2 Lifts
3 Runs

The Du Col lift takes you up to the Reine Blanche slope. The route then continues via Becca d'Aran and the Baracon slope, before following Reine Blanche down to Valtournenche.

2 Lifts · 3 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Du Col Closed
  2. 1 · Reine Blanche Red run Closed
  3. Becca D'aran Closed
  4. 9 · Baracon Blue run Closed
  5. 1 · Reine Blanche Red run Closed

Stage 6 of 10 · Valtournenche → Bec Carré → Cervinia

Valtournenche & Cervinia

1 h 10 min
4 Lifts
5 Runs

From Valtournenche, the gondola takes you to Salette, followed by the Campetto slope to the Motta and Bec Carré lifts. The route then continues via Du Col and Gran Sometta to the Ventina Bardoney 1 slope down to Cervinia.

To skip Cervinia, ski down from Gran Sometta to Cime Bianche Laghi and take the cable car to Plateau Rosa. From there, continue to Trockener Steg.

4 Lifts · 5 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Valtournenche - Salette Closed
  2. 2 · Campetto Blue run Closed
  3. Motta Closed
  4. Bec Carré Closed
  5. 10 · Du Col Blue run Closed
  6. Gran Sometta Closed
  7. 37 · Gran Sometta 3 Red run Closed
  8. 7.0 · Ventina Goillet Red run Closed
  9. 7.00 · Ventina Bardoney 1 Red run Closed

Stage 7 of 10 · Cervinia → Plateau Rosa / Testa Grigia → Plan Maison

Cervinia & Plateau Rosa

45 min
3 Lifts
3 Runs

From Cervinia, the lifts take you via Plan Maison to Cime Bianche Laghi, followed by the cable car to Plateau Rosa. The route then follows the Testa Grigia, Plateau Rosa–Bontadini and Fornet 1 slopes back to Plan Maison.

To return directly to Switzerland, you can shorten the route at Plateau Rosa and ski down to Trockener Steg.

3 Lifts · 3 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Breuil-Cervinia - Plan Maison Closed
  2. Plan Maison - Cime Bianche Laghi Closed
  3. Cime Bianche Laghi - Plateau Rosa Closed
  4. 80 · Testa Grigia Red run Closed
  5. 6 · Plateau Rosa - Bontadini Red run Closed
  6. 6.0 · Fornet 1 Red run Closed

Stage 8 of 10 · Plan Maison → Theodulpass → Trockener Steg

Theodulpass & Trockener Steg

40 min
3 Lifts
2 Runs

From Plan Maison, three chairlifts take you via Fornet and Bontadini up to the Theodul Pass. The Testa Grigia and Gandegg slopes then lead back to the Swiss side and Trockener Steg.

3 Lifts · 2 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Plan Maison Closed
  2. Fornet Closed
  3. Bontadini Closed
  4. 80 · Testa Grigia Red run Closed
  5. 73 · Gandegg Red run Closed

Stage 9 of 10 · Trockener Steg → Furggsattel → Furgg

Furggsattel & Furgg

30 min
1 Lift
3 Runs

From Trockener Steg, the Furggsattel chairlift takes you up. The descent then follows the Theodulgletscher, Schusspiste and Garten slopes down to Furgg.

1 Lift · 3 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Furggsattel Closed
  2. 71 · Theodulgletscher Red run Closed
  3. 70 · Schusspiste Red run Closed
  4. 64 · Garten Red run Closed

Stage 10 of 10 · Furgg → Schwarzsee → Zermatt

Schwarzsee & Zermatt

45 min
2 Lifts
5 Runs

From Furgg, the Matterhorn-Express takes you to Schwarzsee, where the Zermatt Letters offer a photo opportunity. The Weisse Perle and Stafelalp slopes lead to the Hirli chairlift. The final descents via Hörnli, Weisse Perle and Blatten take you back to Zermatt.

2 Lifts · 5 Runs show

Sequence of the stage

  1. Schwarzsee - Furgg Closed
  2. Photo spot ZERMATT letters
  3. 51 · Weisse Perle Red run Closed
  4. 52 · Stafelalp Red run Closed
  5. Hirli Closed
  6. 54 · Hörnli Black run Closed
  7. 51 · Weisse Perle Red run Closed
  8. 50 · Blatten Red run Closed

Interactive panoramic map

The route at a glance

The interactive panoramic map shows all ten stages of the Matterhorn Ski Safari Chasing 12k and the route through Matterhorn Ski Paradise.

Interaktive Panoramakarte

Hit the slopes with the right ticket

The right ski pass

Ski pass international

The Ski pass international is required for the Matterhorn Ski Safari routes Swiss-Italian Flirt, Vertical Mission 10K and Vertical Mission 12K. It can be added as an upgrade when purchasing the Ski pass Zermatt.
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Good to know

Frequently asked questions

The International ski pass is required for this route. It can be selected as an upgrade to the regular winter ski pass during the purchase process in the online shop.

Buy ski pass

Helmets are compulsory for all skiers on the Italian side. It is also important to check the operating hours of the lifts, particularly the last connection back to Switzerland.

Both routes are designed for experienced and ambitious skiers. The Vertical Mission 10K connects numerous ski areas on the Swiss and Italian sides, reaching as far as Cervinia. The Vertical Mission 12K extends the route to Valtournenche, covering the entire Matterhorn Ski Paradise.

The Vertical Mission 10K and 12K combine numerous ski areas and slopes into challenging day tours. Starting with the first departure at 8.30 a.m. from the Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station is therefore recommended. This allows enough time to complete all stages and return to Switzerland before the last connection.

When returning to Switzerland, it is important to check the operating hours of the lifts. Particular attention should be paid to the last connection across the border. Enough time should therefore be allowed for the return journey.

The order of the stages is planned around the operating hours of the lifts. As the lifts open gradually in the morning, following the recommended order helps avoid unnecessary waiting times. This makes it easier to complete the entire route in a single day.

The Vertical Mission 12K is designed for highly experienced and ambitious skiers who want to explore the entire Matterhorn Ski Paradise in a single day. The challenging route covers all ski areas on both the Swiss and Italian sides, reaching as far as Valtournenche. Excellent skiing skills, good fitness and endurance are essential.