Klein Matterhorn is a peak at 3883 meters above sea level located in Switzerland. Its name is a reference to the famous Matterhorn mountain, symbol of Swiss Alps, lying just 7 km away and decorating entire panorama.
The peak is also a year-round ski area, marketed as “Matterhorn Glacier Paradise”, and part of the international ski area between Breuil-Cervinia and Zermatt. And it is the highest place in Europe that can be reached by cable car or any other means of transport.
The entire area is quite spectacular. I was touring in Cervinia last year, starting from the village in 2000m to the Rifugio on Plateau Rosa in 3480m and back with amazing views on the Matterhorn while skiing down. I wanted to return one day and go higher.
Klein Matterhorn is also a start of skitour towards Breithorn (4164m). However, the weather forecast was quite unstable for this day with considerable avalanche alert. So I did not have strong plans and high expectations. It should be partially sunny and cloudy in the morning changing to overcast, snowy with gusty winds in the afternoon. Therefore the plan was to start early in the morning and adjust the plan based on the weather conditions as there is always easy way down. And, Cervinia offers an Exploration pass to get by the gondola to Plan Maison (2500m) to focus on the adventure !
I arrived to Breuil-Cervinia early in the morning after the 3 hour drive through the italian autostrada. I managed to have breakfast in my car and take first gondola up. Plan Maison was just getting open, hot espresso, a croissant, and cloudy Matterhorn in front of me. What a day.
The route is not especially difficult. It is marked by the green poles almost to the Plateau Rosa, it is a maintenance route for snowcats most of the time. Very much safe. From Plateau, it goes along the piste until Klein Matterhorn with view over glacier and crevasses.
The route is not steep nor technical. However one can feel the altitude and experience strong and cold wind on the open area after the Plateau. The water in my camel bag started getting frozen, the water in the tube had icy parts already. Wind was getting stronger and colder as reaching up the top. My left nostril became frosty and I began breathing heavily from the 3600 meters. I needed to pause for a brief moment, caught the oxygen, and go again. It feels like taking few more deep breaths before moving. When resting, it was all ok and normal, but going same tempo required me to inhale more and more and then pause again.
Once you’re on the Plateau, the end does not seem to be too far away. You are almost there. But it’s an altitude that makes it tricky. This time, I made it to the Klein Matternhorn, but not Breithorn. Maybe another time.
