The Grand Combin, the icy giant of Valais

Rising to 4 314 m, the Grand Combin dominates southern Valais. Known for its massive glaciers and steep faces, it embodies a wild, powerful and formidable mountain. Its nickname, the “mountain of glaciers,” reflects both its beauty and the dangers it presents.

Altitude

4 314 m

Localisation

45.934° N / 7.285° E

A summit as fascinating as it is dangerous

The Grand Combin is made up of several peaks, including the Combin de Grafeneire, the highest point of the massif. Its gigantic glaciers make it one of the most impressive summits in the Western Alps. Yet they also reveal its dark side: the danger of seracs and avalanches, particularly feared on the normal route. While its ascent attracts mountaineers, it demands respect, caution, and excellent technical skill.

1857

First ascent

Achieved by Gottlieb Samuel Studer and his guides, after several unsuccessful attempts.

19th century

Reputation as a dangerous mountain

Falling seracs and avalanches make the Grand Combin a summit feared by mountaineers.

Années 1930

New routes

Opening of more technical routes on the east and north faces.

1954

Scientific expeditions

Major glaciological studies on the Combin glaciers, true natural laboratories.

Années 2000

Sporting ascents

The Grand Combin has become a prime area for ski mountaineering and fast ascents.

45.9344° N / 7.2847° E

Switzerland

4 314 m

Official altitude

1857

First documented ascent

> 25 km²

Glacial area of the massif

3 main peaks

Grafeneire, de Valsorey and de la Tsessette

The mountain of glaciers

The Grand Combin owes its reputation to its immense glaciers, whose imposing seracs are both majestic and formidable.

A summit with many faces

With its three main peaks, the Combin massif presents a complex and imposing terrain, visible from the entire Rhône plain.

The Neighbors

Dent Blanche

Switzerland

4357 m

Weisshorn

Switzerland

4506 m

Matterhorn

Switzerland

4478 m

Aiguille Verte

4 122 m

The boundary between fascination and danger

The Grand Combin embodies the raw power of the Alps. Both majestic and feared, it symbolizes the boundary between fascination and danger. For Norton Peak, it illustrates the courage and mastery required to turn challenges into achievements.

From Bourg-Saint-Pierre

The classic route passes by the Valsorey Hut (3,030 m) and then crosses glaciers and ridges. A long and demanding route, reserved for experienced rope teams.

“The Grand Combin, with its endless glaciers, is a colossus that can only be approached with caution.”

Gottlieb Samuel Studer, Alpenwanderungen (1859)

4357 m

Dent Blanche

At 4,357 m, Dent Blanche towers above the Hérens valley. An isolated peak with a sharp pyramidal silhouette, it embodies both elegance and the harshness of the Valais Alps. A true “solitary queen,” admired for its beauty and demanding nature.

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4478 m

Matterhorn

With its almost unreal pyramidal silhouette, the Matterhorn towers above Zermatt and embodies the very archetype of the Alpine peak. At 4,478 m, this Swiss-Italian summit has attracted explorers, mountaineers, and dreamers for more than a century. A peak of magnetic beauty—both iconic and formidable.

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4808 m

Mont Blanc

At 4,808 meters, Mont Blanc towers over Western Europe. As an enduring symbol of mountaineering, it has drawn explorers, climbers, and dreamers to its eternal snows for more than two centuries.

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