Snowshoe ascent of the Breithorn
Easy 4000 m ascent of the Mont Rose massif via the normal route

The ascent

4000 metres Easy: The Breithorn (4,164 m.) via the normal route

Mont Rose Massif:

The Breithorn, often considered one of the most beautiful and accessible 4000-metre peaks in the Alps, is a glacial ridge forming part of the Mont Rose range, which is home to several other peaks of this altitude. The Monte Rosa massif, the second highest in Europe along with the 4,634 metre-high Pointe Dufour, lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its name, derived from the local language, means ‘frozen mountain’ or ‘glacier’.

Crossing the glacier:

The traverse of this glacier is perfectly suited to those who want to get closer to the world of mountaineering, but certainly also to trained hikers who want to discover this fantastic environment in safety accompanied by a high mountain guide: it's still a 4000 m and the altitude should not be underestimated.

The ascent can be made as a day trip, leaving early in the morning from Cervinia. The ascent and descent on the glacier take around 4 to 5 hours, depending on your level of training.

The ascent presents no particular technical difficulty, but the spectacular panorama that opens up before your eyes once up there is a very good reason for wanting to immerse yourself in the world of the Alps.

Snowshoeing for the day

Considered one of the most beautiful and easy 4000m peaks in the Alps, Breithorn is a glacial summit in the Mont-Rose range, which includes several peaks.

It is easily accessible by the Plateau Rosa cable car, which leaves from Cervinia station.

If you'd prefer a more peaceful setting, we suggest you spend the evening at the Refuge des Guides, where you can enjoy the mountain views and the sunset.

Program

Breithorn climbing programme

Meeting point in Cervinia :

Difference in altitude: + 400 m; - 400 m
Duration: approx. 5 hours 

You and your guide will meet at the cable car ticket office in Cervinia at 7.00 a.m. to check your equipment and organise your day. Once you've picked up the lift pass for the ascent to Plateau Rosa, you can enjoy a coffee before getting started. We'll take the cable car up to Plateau Rosa, at an altitude of 3500 metres, where the traverse begins. The Cervinia ski area is linked to Switzerland, with the Petit Cervin on the north side of the Plateau Rosa.

The ascent consists of a 5km traverse across the glacier to reach the summit, with a return via the same route.
 

The ascent to the summit and descent from the glacier take around 4 to 5 hours. We start from the Plateau Rosa ski slopes, at the top of the cable car, and after about an hour's walk, we move away from the slopes into a wilder environment, offering breathtaking views of the Monte Rosa massif. To reach the summit of the Breithorn, we climb a snow-covered ridge with a gradient of around 35°, making the summit slightly airy.
 

Throughout the ascent, we'll have views of numerous peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Dent d'Hérens, Weisshorn, Pointe Dufour and Dôme. Situated in the heart of the Alps, this summit is quite popular, thanks in particular to the ski lifts on the Italian and Swiss sides.
 

Your Guide will form the rope party and lead the group at a moderate pace, to maximise the enjoyment and chances of success in reaching the summit.

Materiel

Mountaineering Technical Equipment 

• Snowplak-type cramponable snowshoes (supplied by Esprit Montagne)
• mountaineering boots
• crampons and ice axe
• harness
• 40-litre rucksack
• walking poles with washers for snow
• mountaineering helmet

How to dress for mountaineering

First layer on the skin:

• (Merino wool) thermal/breathable long sleeve
• (Merino wool) long thermal/breathable underwear
• Woolen warm socks

Second layer:

• Warm technical sweater
• Waterproof & windproof hiking pants

Third layer:

• Thin but warm down jacket (to wear just in case of cold temperatures)

Last layer:

• Waterproof & windproof Goretex jacket

Important Additionals:

• Warm winter hat
• Buff/head-neckband
• Warm winter gloves
• Headlamp
• Suncream (protection factor 50+)
• Sunglasses
• Camera

If you have any doubts or simply need clarification on what gear to take for your climb, you can take a look at our Blog page "What gear for mountaineering?"

N.B. Consider a change for when you are back to the hut (you can leave some stuff at the hut).

IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.

Level

Difficulty and level required for climbing Breithorn

Easy mountaineering climb.

If you have already done some mountaineering or glacier trekking, and have experience of cramponnage on a glacier, you will be comfortable with this climb!

If you have never used crampons before, but are used to walking in the mountains and have approached glaciers by feet or on skis, this will be a perfect summit for your first mountaineering experience, the route is easy and not very long.

You need to be in good shape to resist 4-5 hours of walking at high altitude above 3500 meters.

Useful infos

Useful information to prepare your mountain trip:

Meeting on the first day

Meeting with the Guide at the Crevinia Cable Car ticket office at 7.00 am.

End of the trip

The programme ends on the second day between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm in Cervinia. 

Organisation:

The week before your departure, you will receive a reminder by email with all the information concerning the meeting and the guide in charge of your group.

Guiding

How to reach Aosta Valley ?

• Via Chamonix Mont Blanc – you can reach Chamonix by train from the main French airports or from Geneva airport – then you can reach Courmayeur – Aosta Valley through the Mont Blanc Tunnel (there are buses connections from Chamonix to Aosta Valley, but if you would like to be free to move it is advisable to rent a car).
• Via Geneva or Martigny – you can easily reach Martigny by train from Geneva airport - then you reach Aosta city center via the tunnel of Grand Saint Bernard (there are buses connections from Martigny to Aosta Valley, but if you would like to be free to move it is advisable to rent a car).
• Via Milan/Turin airport – rent a car directly to reach Aosta via the highway
  • Rent a car directly to reach Aosta via the motorway;
  • By train: https://www.trenitalia.com/trenitalia-france.html
• Or via Bourg Saint Maurice (73700, France) - Col du Petit Saint Bernard - you can reach Bourg Saint Maurice by train from the main French airports. Once in Bourg Saint Maurice you will need to rent a car to reach the Aosta Valley via the Col du Petit Saint Bernard (2 hours drive). It's a slightly longer trip but you can save the toll at the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

Public transports Aosta Valley

• Bus trasport from Chamonix to Courmayeur: https://aosta.arriva.it/line/courmayeur-chamonix/
• Bus trasport from Courmayeur to Aosta : https://aosta.arriva.it/en/line/aosta-courmayeur-2/
• Bus transport from Milan to Aosta: https://aosta.arriva.it/en/aosta-milano/
• Bus transport whithin the Aosta Region: https://aosta.arriva.it/en/timetables-and-routes/

Bus to the Cervinia Valley

The departure point of the bus for Cervinia is at the train station in the village of Chatillon.
For the bus timetable: https://aosta.arriva.it/en/line/chatillon-breuil-cervinia-2/

If you are coming only for the climb, we can organize you a taxi to pick you up or the mountain guide can come to pick you up on the road nearby Aosta (organization upon booking).

Food

• Lunch and drinks are at your own charge
• Remember to bring some food to eat before you leave (cereal bars, dried fruit, chocolate, etc...)

Budget and currency

Italy is in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro (€).
The shelter has a credit card terminal, however, we strongly advise you to bring cash!

Car sharing

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.