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Lepontine Alps Ski Tour

"A rare chance to enjoy a week of hut based touring in the high mountains in midwinter. At this time of year, North Facing powder descents are far more common - in an area which boasts dozens of superb ski peaks. Starting near Andermatt, we traverse the range across into Italy and back - taking in the best peaks and ski descents along the way. "
  
5 days
Inter-Adv
6:1
Dates: By Arrangement
Price: Private Guiding Rates
Ski Ability: 3+
Fitness: 3+
Experience: You need some previous multiday ski touring experience to join this tour.
Included: Guiding Fees

Other Costs: Hut nights, food, travel and uplift during the tour ~ £400

 
Summary
This is a good midwinter touring area with plenty of powder descents and ski summits. A variety of objectives are possible during the week, depending on ability and conditions.
We offer this itinerary as a private guiding special - with dates by arrangement from Feb to March. Prices are as per our private guiding rates, up to a maximum of 6 skiers per guide.
Recent Trip Reports - Feb 2008
 
Starting Point
For ease of travel, we meet at the start of the week in Brig on the Swiss side of the region.  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:-
lepontine alps ski tour itinerary
Day 0 - Sun
PM, meet in Brig - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1 - Mon
Early train to Andermatt, from where we take the lift system up and tour across to the Rotondo hut.
Day 2 - Tue
Day tour from the Rotondo hut - there are numerous good possibilities in this area: Witenwasserenstock, Piz Lucendro, Rottallihorn, Muttenhorn - our final choice to suit the best snow conditions.
Day 3 - Wed
Traverse the Witenwasseren pass and Rotondo pass, before making the long descent to All' Acqua for lunch. PM skin up into Italy and down to the Maria Luisa Hut (hot showers and a nice bar!)
Day 4 - Thur
Day tour from the Maria Luisa hut - there are numerous big, steep ski days from here - including the Basodino and Corni di Nefelgiu amongst others.
Day 5 - Fri
To exit the range we follow an intricate route eastward toward the Cristallina, before heading north down a superb big descent into the Val Bredetto in Switzerland. PM Bus and train back to Brig.
lepontine alps 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 may be able to save some 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 includes 6-8 hour days and some big (1000m+) climbs, so you can expect to be skinning for 3-5 hours a day (see fitness level 3).
 
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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