Question: I am interested in summitting Breithorn this winter (late January) using crampons and an ice axe. I am in excellent physical shape but I do not have much alpine experience. I have seen mixed reviews about whether or not I should hire a guide, but most companies do not offer tours in the winter. I am curious why this is the case and if I should even think about summitting Breithorn in the winter, and if I should even consider doing it by myself.

Answer: 
As a general rule, I think it unwise to attempt, solo, for the first time, the sort of climb that one has no experience with, especially if it carries the potential for a serious accident.

You have winter against you, ice against you, inexperience against you, and possibly an unknown reaction to 4,164 meters against you. Solo? No, not unless your meaning of *do not have much alpine experience* is an extremely modest understatement.

As for hiring a guide, it is likely that a company will be able to find a guide for you, even if they do not regularly offer tours in the winter. You will be hiring a private guide and it will be more expensive than the summer tour. The reason that the companies do not offer regular tours is probably because there are not enough tourists who are able to climb a mountain in winter conditions. 

[Breithorn Ascent](https://www.zermatt.ch/en/Media/Planning-hikes-tours/Breithorn-ascent) says:

> 
> This tour is a perfect way to get a sense of high Alpine air for the first time but only for surefooted and experienced mountain hikers accompanied by a mountain guide. The tour includes climbing a glaciated four thousand-metre peak, and this is not to be underestimated 
> 
> 
> •The overall difficulty of the tour is given as “L” (easy)
> 
> 
> •A mountain guide is recommended
> 
> 
> •Warning: glacier crevasses
> 
> 
> Crampons, climbing harnesses and helmets can be rented in different
>  sport shops in the village
> 
> 
> 

This description and caveat is for a summer tour.
Don't try it. The (walking) mountaineering season is over, there is now too much snow in the high mountains and it definitely will not get easier till January. You have to wait until the Summer when the snow starts to get more compact. An early date for a 4000s ascent is June.

For mountaineering now you either need skis that carry you over soft powder or a much steeper wall where the snow will slide down before it gets a significant builtup. But then you are into ice climbing and the standard Breithorn route is far from this ;)