Get a taste of the Alpine Spirit in the Swiss Alps

Join Couch2Summit on this adventure in the heart of the Swiss Alps at the Saas valley. Designed for beginners, this trip introduces you to the world of mountaineering with a chance to summit a stunning, beginner-friendly 4,000-meter peak. Along the way, you'll enjoy a night in a cozy mountain hut, a hands-on skills day where you'll 'learn the ropes' of glacier travel, and savor fabulous local Swiss cuisine.

To cap off the journey, take a breathtaking ride on the iconic Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt, offering spectacular views of the majestic Matterhorn. This perfectly balanced adventure holiday combines the thrill of Alpinism with rich cultural experiences and an opportunity to connect with and learn about the awe-inspiring Alpine landscapes. Whether you're looking for adventure or a taste of the Alps’ unique charm, this trip is your perfect gateway into the mountains.

With an IFMGA certified Mountain Guide, Elite Personal Trainers and motivation every step of the way, you will be fit and ready to experience a 4000 meter peak in safe hands.

Experience the Alpine Spirit

Itinerary

Date - Activity
07/08/2026 - Arrive at Saas Grund

After you have checked in to your accommodation, we do kit checks and also collect hired equipment including ice axes, crampons, harness and helmet. Overnight stay at Saas Grund or in proximity.

08/08/2026 - Hut night at the Weissmies Hut

We take the cable car in the morning to Kreuzboden and do the steady hike (1 - 2 hours) to the Weissmies Hut taking in sights of the Lagginhorn and the Weissmies amongst the glorious Alpine views. We settle into the Hut, grab lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing, enjoying the Alpine scenery and acclimatising. Dinner at the Hut is a lovely communal setting where you can meet other hikers and climbers using the hut as base for their adventures. Overnight stay at the Weissmies Hut.

09/08/2026 - Skills day

After breakfast at the Hut, we'll descend back down into the valley, head to lovely Längfluh which has terrific views of the Mischabel group and have fun practicing mountaineering/glacier skills including walking with crampons, ice axes and rope handling in the glacier and even try some ice climbing. We'll then head back down the valley and drive to Zermatt. The evening is free for you to look around, admire the views of the imposing Matterhorn and prepare for summit day with a good night's sleep. Overnight stay at Zermatt.

10/08/2026 - Breithorn

After an early breakfast, we take the lift to Klein Matterhorn which is the starting point for our goal to reach the Breithorn's summit at 4160 meters. We rope together and start the climb of 400 meters with some terrific views all around to reach the stunning summit. After the proud summit pictures, we then descend and chill at the restaurant in Trockener Steg which has great views of the Breithorn and other peaks to savour. The ascent and descent will take between 3 - 5 hours. We then take the lift back down and it's time for the celebration evening with an included fondue meal (other options available) and drinks at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at Zermatt.

11/08/2026 - Meet the Matterhorn up close

After a good night's rest, we take the Gornergrat railway to get you stunning views of the legendary Matterhorn and it's giant cousins. You will have the chance to learn about the mountain's formidable reputation, it's first conquest, why it draws Alpinists to its precipitous ridges/faces and also learn about Alpine landscapes. We then arrive back down to Zermatt, visit the Matterhorn museum and finish your adventure with some fabulous memories and inspiration for further adventures in the mountains. There is also opportunity for some rock climbing on this day if you fancy!

Pricing (4 places available)

£1280 per person (£1080 without Personal Training)

What's included

  • 8 virtual sessions of 30 minutes each spread out over 2 months with a Personal Trainer who will create and motivate you on your fitness plan for the trip
  • Fully qualified IFMGA Mountain Guides through the 4 activity days
  • All required equipment hire (Boots, Crampons, Ice axe, Harness and Helmet)
  • All required lifts/cable cars
  • Half board stay for a night at the Mountain Hut (Weissmies Hut)
  • Celebratory fondue dinner
  • A trip souvenir you can use in your future mountain adventures!
  • Transfer to Zermatt from the Saas valley and ticket on the Gornergrat Railway
  • Entry to the Matterhorn museum in Zermatt

What's not included

  • International airfare
  • Personal kit
  • Airport transfers to/from Saas Grund/Zermatt
  • Accommodation at the Saas valley/Zermatt except for the Mountain Hut night (We'll happily recommend the best places to stay)
  • Food and drink except for breakfast/dinner at the Hut and the Fondue dinner
  • Trip insurance covering the activity

Trip Reviews

"This trip sparked a whole new love for mountains and mountaineering in me. I genuinely can’t wait for the next adventure. I’d 100% recommend this experience to anyone, even if you’re unsure or a bit scared. Stepping outside your comfort zone is so worth it. Just start small, you might be surprised by how far you can go."
"The course covers everything: alpine skills, equipment advice, safety, and mindset — all delivered in a supportive, fun environment. It’s well-structured, confidence-boosting, and gets you genuinely ready for mountain adventures in the Alps."

Frequently asked questions