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Bernese Oberland Ski Tour

"The Bernese Oberland is the premier high altitude ski touring region of the Western Alps. On this varied and challenging week, we take in some of the finest ski summits in the region, culminating in the famous 2000m descent down the Lotschental at the end of the tour."
  
6 days
Intermediate
6:1
Dates: 08 - 13 Apr '12
Price: £650
Ski Ability: 3+
Fitness: 3+
Experience: You need some previous multiday ski touring experience to join this tour.
Included: Guiding Fees and Expenses.
Other Costs: Hut nights, food, travel and uplift during the tour ~ £450
 
Summary
This is a popular classic aimed at skiers looking for big glacial scenery, great ski summits and plenty of long descents. The huts in the area are new and well appointed.
The terrain offers flexibility in terms of objectives and is a reliable place to tour in all weathers - as various routes are possible through the range. Two nights are spent at a couple of the huts during the tour.
Recent Trip Reports - April 2011, March 2010, May 2009, April 2007
 
Starting Point
We start and finish in Brig on the southern edge of the Bernese Oberland. Brig is easily reached by road or by train direct from Geneva, Zurich or Basel airports.
 
Sample Itinerary
Subject to weather and snow conditions, the plan for the week is as follows:-
bernese oberland ski tour itinerary
Day 0 - Sat PM, meet in Brig - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1 - Sun
Early train round to Grindelwald and the Jungfraujoch, from where we climb Louwihorn (3676m) or Trugberg (3880m) to get a great descent down to the Konkordia Hut. 550m ascent, 950m descent ~4-5hrs.
Day 2 - Mon
Climb Kranzberg (3666m) to enjoy another fine descent back to the the Konkordia Hut. 1000m ascent and descent ~5-6hrs.
Day 3 - Tue
Traverse the Grunhornlucke (3280m), before climbing Wyssnollen (3590m) and skiing down to the Finsteraarhorn Hut. 1200m ascent, 900m descent ~6hrs.
Day 4 - Wed
A big day skiing the magnificent Gross Wannenhorn (3905m) and then returning to the Finsteraarhorn Hut. 1100m ascent and descent ~6hrs.
Day 5 - Thur
Retrace our steps over the Grunhornlucke and on down to the Aletschfirn, before carrying on to the Hollandia Hut. 800m ascent, 600m descent ~5-6hrs.
Day 6 - Fri

On the final day we first climb Abeni Flue (3962m) to enjoy a great panorama, before skiing back past the hut and making the famous 2000m descent down into the Lotschental. 700m ascent, 2200m descent ~5~6hrs. PM return to Brig via train and postbus.

NB Other Options: Depending on weather and conditions, another great way to finish the week is to ski the Vorder Galmihorn (3517m) from either the Finsteraarhorn or Oberaarjoch huts. This gives the option of three excellent 2000m descents down into the upper Rhone Valley.

bernese oberland ski tour
 
Food and Accommodation
We run all of our tours on a guiding & instruction only basis. Our recommended hotel in Brig is the Hotel Europe *** which is just 80m from the railway station. You are however free to make other accommodation arrangements if you choose (Brig has various other hotels available). The guide will book all hut accommodation for the tour, which you pay for direct as we go along.
 
Travel
Brig is easily reached by reliable Swiss public transport direct from Geneva airport - check out the Swiss Federal Railways website for timetables and information. If you are arriving by train, then you can save a lot of money on this tour by purchasing a swiss travel pass (various options are available - click on the English version of the website).
 
Ability and Experience
You need to be a good off piste skier (see ski ability level 3), with previous multiday ski tours already under your belt in order to join this tour. The week involves continuous 6 hour days and some big (1000m+) climbs, so you can expect to be skinning for 3-5 hours a day (see fitness level 3).
 
Acclimatisation
Due to the altitude of much of the route, arriving a couple of days in advance to acclimatise is useful (From Brig, it is easy to ski at Blatten/Blealp, or Zermatt has high altitude glacier skiing at this time of year). We advise you to prepare well in advance with regular training and ideally some skiing.
 
Equipment
We will supply you with a full kit list. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing, a rucsac and ski mountaineering skis, boots and kit (local hire is available). We are delighted to be working on this tour with Backcountry UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK.
 
     
 
 
 
         
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