--- id: 3635 title: Vertical Mission 12k | Matterhorn Ski Safari path: /en/experience/skiing/matterhorn-ski-safari/vertical-mission-12k url: "https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/experience/skiing/matterhorn-ski-safari/vertical-mission-12k" language: en generated_at: "2026-11-10T00:01:03+01:00" type: document --- ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/ski-safari/71394/image-thumb__71394__content-hero/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-13.1aa5dc91.jpg)![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/ski-safari/71394/image-thumb__71394__content-hero/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-13.1aa5dc91.jpg)![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/test-assets/566/image-thumb__566__content-hero-clouds/clouds-center.82ca394b.png) ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/test-assets/570/image-thumb__570__content-hero-clouds/clouds-mobile.6db79170.png) ### Matterhorn Ski Safari · Level Black Vertical Mission 12K ====================== - Start: Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station · Switzerland · Italy - Required ticket: International At a glance ----------- ExpertsStatus: Closed **Currently closed:** Zermatt - Sunnegga, Sunnegga - Blauherd, Blauherd - Rothorn and 63 more. The route can currently not be skied completely. Start08:30 o'clock Durationca. 8 h 20 min Kilometres of runs142 km Lifts29 Lifts Stages10 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. [1Zermatt & Rothorn 5 Lifts · 7 Runs · 1 h 15 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-1) 2. [2Blauherd & Gant 2 Lifts · 3 Runs · 30 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-2) 3. [3Gant & Riffelberg 2 Lifts · 6 Runs · 45 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-3) 4. [4Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gran Sometta 5 Lifts · 5 Runs · 1 h 20 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-4) 5. [5Gran Sometta & Valtournenche 2 Lifts · 3 Runs · 40 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-5) 6. [6Valtournenche & Cervinia 4 Lifts · 5 Runs · 1 h 10 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-6) 7. [7Cervinia & Plateau Rosa 3 Lifts · 3 Runs · 45 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-7) 8. [8Theodulpass & Trockener Steg 3 Lifts · 2 Runs · 40 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-8) 9. [9Furggsattel & Furgg 1 Lift · 3 Runs · 30 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-9) 10. [10Schwarzsee & Zermatt 2 Lifts · 5 Runs · 45 min ](#spec-area-route-stage-10) 11. Zermatt16:50 Stage 1 of 10 · Zermatt → Rothorn → Patrullarve Stage 1: Zermatt & Rothorn ------------------------------- Duration1 h 15 min Lifts5 Lifts Runs7 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Zermatt - SunneggaStatus: Closed 2. Sunnegga - BlauherdStatus: Closed 3. Blauherd - RothornStatus: Closed 4. 13 · DownhillBlack runStatus: Closed 5. 14 · KummeRed runStatus: Closed 6. 15 · TufternkummeRed runStatus: Closed 7. 15b · TufternkummeBlack runStatus: Closed 8. Tuftern - TufternkummeStatus: Closed 9. Tufternkumme - RothornStatus: Closed 10. 11 · Rotweng obenRed runStatus: Closed 11. 11 · Rotweng untenRed runStatus: Closed 12. 8 · Obere NationalBlack runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/11-ueber-uns/02-anlagen/01-norden/sunnegga-station/71552/image-thumb__71552__wysiwyg-with-media/20250116_station-sunnegga_nord-14.a8f0e8cb.jpg) Stage 2 of 10 · Patrullarve → Blauherd → Gant Stage 2: Blauherd & Gant ----------------------------- Duration30 min Lifts2 Lifts Runs3 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 showSequence of the stage 1. PatrullarveStatus: Closed 2. 7 · StandardBlue runStatus: Closed 3. 6 · Easy runRed runStatus: Closed 4. Eja - BreitenbodenStatus: Closed 5. 26 · GrünseeRed runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/00-keyvisuals/03-archiv/winter_24_25/65960/image-thumb__65960__wysiwyg-with-media/20260313_ski_nord-40.c371690e.jpg) Stage 3 of 10 · Gant → Hohtälli → Schweigmatten Stage 3: Gant & Riffelberg ------------------------------- Duration45 min Lifts2 Lifts Runs6 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Gant - HohtälliStatus: Closed 2. 44 · Hohtälli Red runStatus: Closed 3. 35 · Gifthittli Red runStatus: Closed 4. GifthittliStatus: Closed 5. 35 · Gifthittli Red runStatus: Closed 6. 39 · Riffelalp Red runStatus: Closed 7. 41 · Landtunnel Red runStatus: Closed 8. 42 · Schweigmatten Red runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/01-nord/71554/image-thumb__71554__wysiwyg-with-media/20260313_ski_nord-20.6684d889.jpg) Stage 4 of 10 · Schweigmatten → Matterhorn Glacier Paradise → Gran Sometta Stage 4: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gran Sometta -------------------------------------------------------- Duration1 h 20 min Lifts5 Lifts Runs5 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Furi - RiffelbergStatus: Closed 2. Furi - Schwarzsee Status: Closed 3. Schwarzsee - FurggStatus: Closed 4. Furgg - Trockener StegStatus: Closed 5. Matterhorn Glacier Ride IStatus: Closed 6. 85.1 · Matterhorn Glacier ParadiseRed runStatus: Closed 7. 88 · Testa II Blue runStatus: Closed 8. 7 · Ventina Ghiacciaio Red runStatus: Closed 9. 35 · Ventina - Colle Cime Bianche Red runStatus: Closed 10. 11 · Gran Sometta Blue runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/05-italien/69305/image-thumb__69305__wysiwyg-with-media/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-6.7d1b49fb.jpg) Stage 5 of 10 · Gran Sometta → Becca d'Aran → Valtournenche Stage 5: Gran Sometta & Valtournenche ------------------------------------------ Duration40 min Lifts2 Lifts Runs3 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Du ColStatus: Closed 2. 1 · Reine Blanche Red runStatus: Closed 3. Becca D'aranStatus: Closed 4. 9 · Baracon Blue runStatus: Closed 5. 1 · Reine Blanche Red runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/05-italien/71472/image-thumb__71472__wysiwyg-with-media/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-9.c40b7494.jpg) Stage 6 of 10 · Valtournenche → Bec Carré → Cervinia Stage 6: Valtournenche & Cervinia -------------------------------------- Duration1 h 10 min Lifts4 Lifts Runs5 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Valtournenche - SaletteStatus: Closed 2. 2 · Campetto Blue runStatus: Closed 3. MottaStatus: Closed 4. Bec CarréStatus: Closed 5. 10 · Du Col Blue runStatus: Closed 6. Gran SomettaStatus: Closed 7. 37 · Gran Sometta 3 Red runStatus: Closed 8. 7.0 · Ventina Goillet Red runStatus: Closed 9. 7.00 · Ventina Bardoney 1 Red runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/05-italien/71473/image-thumb__71473__wysiwyg-with-media/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-21.ecc47e23.jpg) Stage 7 of 10 · Cervinia → Plateau Rosa / Testa Grigia → Plan Maison Stage 7: Cervinia & Plateau Rosa ------------------------------------- Duration45 min Lifts3 Lifts Runs3 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Breuil-Cervinia - Plan MaisonStatus: Closed 2. Plan Maison - Cime Bianche Laghi Status: Closed 3. Cime Bianche Laghi - Plateau RosaStatus: Closed 4. 80 · Testa GrigiaRed runStatus: Closed 5. 6 · Plateau Rosa - Bontadini Red runStatus: Closed 6. 6.0 · Fornet 1 Red runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/05-italien/71469/image-thumb__71469__wysiwyg-with-media/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-52.291979b7.jpg) Stage 8 of 10 · Plan Maison → Theodulpass → Trockener Steg Stage 8: Theodulpass & Trockener Steg ------------------------------------------ Duration40 min Lifts3 Lifts Runs2 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Plan MaisonStatus: Closed 2. FornetStatus: Closed 3. BontadiniStatus: Closed 4. 80 · Testa GrigiaRed runStatus: Closed 5. 73 · Gandegg Red runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/05-italien/71470/image-thumb__71470__wysiwyg-with-media/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-62.726f7041.jpg) Stage 9 of 10 · Trockener Steg → Furggsattel → Furgg Stage 9: Furggsattel & Furgg --------------------------------- Duration30 min Lifts1 Lift Runs3 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 showSequence of the stage 1. FurggsattelStatus: Closed 2. 71 · Theodulgletscher Red runStatus: Closed 3. 70 · SchusspisteRed runStatus: Closed 4. 64 · GartenRed runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/02-sued/71498/image-thumb__71498__wysiwyg-with-media/301024_ski_furggsattel_sued-22.89b3e3b3.jpg) Stage 10 of 10 · Furgg → Schwarzsee → Zermatt Stage 10: Schwarzsee & Zermatt ----------------------------------- Duration45 min Lifts2 Lifts Runs5 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 showSequence of the stage 1. Schwarzsee - FurggStatus: Closed 2. Photo spot ZERMATT letters 3. 51 · Weisse PerleRed runStatus: Closed 4. 52 · StafelalpRed runStatus: Closed 5. HirliStatus: Closed 6. 54 · HörnliBlack runStatus: Closed 7. 51 · Weisse PerleRed runStatus: Closed 8. 50 · BlattenRed runStatus: Closed ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/02-sued/71471/image-thumb__71471__wysiwyg-with-media/290124_ski_sued-81.4829e9dc.jpg) ### 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. cookies.accept-cookies-to-show-external-content cookies.accept-cookies.service marketing [ Interaktive Panoramakarte ](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/de/erleben/skifahren/pistenplan) ### Hit the slopes with the right ticket The right ski pass -------------------- ![](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/ZBAG/05-skifahren/00_ski/05-italien/71744/image-thumb__71744__large-img-teaser/210224_ski_cervinia-valtournenche-1.3c7e009d.jpg) ### 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. [ Book now ](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/book/tickets/ski-pass-winter) ### Good to know Frequently asked questions ---------------------------- Which ski pass is required for this route? 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 ](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/book/tickets/ski-pass-winter) What should be considered when skiing on the Italian side? 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. What is the difference between the Vertical Mission 10K and the Vertical Mission 12K? 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. Why is an early start particularly important for this route? 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. What should skiers bear in mind when returning from Italy to Switzerland? 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. Why should the route be followed in the recommended order? 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. Who is the Vertical Mission 12K suitable for? 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. ### News from zermatt Always informed thanks to our NewsLetter ------------------------------------------ [ E-mail address Subscribe now ](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/newsletter) ### benefit now Experiences, ski passes and much more --------------------------------------- - **Book early** and save - **Secure** online shopping - **without queuing** into the mountains [buy tickets](https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/book/tickets)