The ultimate Haute Route tour for those who like nice long rides. The nights are spent in mountain huts with half board that allow us to leave with light backpack.
This is a tour that I normally do from mid / late March to mid / late April. It is a pleasant time in the Alps with lots of snow and it’s mostly cold over 3000 meters, but at the same time warm and comfortable. We have the opportunity to experience a nice combination of cold and fine spring snow.
You need to be fit as it is an intense week with many meters that will be traveled every day. It’s required that you have off-piste and ski touring experience. If you have no experience or if you are not sure about your ability to join, please feel free to get in touch with me and let’s discuss about it.
You’ll find here below the program I usually propose. It might be adapted based on the snow and weather conditions before departure.
Day 1 Sunday Arrival
Arrival in Andermatt. We will check in at the hotel in the afternoon. Do you want to come earlier or stay behind and get a few extra days in Engelberg, I can help you to book additional nights.
Day 2 Monday, preparation day in Andermatt
We will do a short ski touring tour during which we will test the equipment to ensure that everything fits and works. We will prepare and plan our lunches for the tour – possibly lightening up your backpack etc. We will sleep at the hotel in Andermatt.
Day 3 Tuesday, Realp (1 540m) – Albert Heim Hütte (2 543m)
First day of the tour start with a train ride to Realp located just beyond Andermatt. We will eat a good lunch before putting the skins and start walking towards Albert Heim hut … If we have enough strength we can continue to move on towards Galenstock and get some nice rides. It feels like you want to save some power, we can sit on the terrace and enjoy the awesome view for the rest of the day.
Day 4 Wednesday, Albert Heim Hütte (2543m) – Chelenaalphütte (2350m)
Waking up in the foundry is a special experience. Take the time to go out and watch the stars. The day starts early. Breakfast is served in the dining room. We will walk about 500 meters up until we get to Winterlücke. Here we go down directly to Göcheneralpsee. 1000 beautiful altitude difference … Or if we want to go through Lochberg, the weather decides … We then continue into Chelenaalptal towards the hut, about 500 meters height.
Day 5 Thursday, Chelenaalphütte (2350m) – Steingletcher (1 865m)
We start directly with the skins on and go to Sustenlimi which is about 700 meters up. Here we can choose whether we want to continue moving towards the top of Sustenhorn, 3500 m or just go down directly to Steigletcher to the night’s accommodation at the bottom of the valley. 1700 Beautiful altitude meters from the top of Sustenhorn … who can’t refuse that?
Day 6 Friday, Steingletcher (1 865m) – Süstlihütte (2 257m)
We are moving towards Fünffingerstock and pass through the Obertaljoch pass (about 2 850m). We then have several choices to go down to Sustlibach. A great ride… nice views and hopefully good snow … last bit up towards Süstlihüttan. We can then enjoy some well-deserved drinks.
Day 7 Saturday, Süstlihütte (2 257m) – Engelberg (1 000m)
Last day. It starts with a skins up to Grassengrat / Stössensattel – a climb of about 600m. It’s perhaps the week’s best ride, an entire 1800 meters downhill. We will pass the Grassen bivouac (very beautiful) just below the mighty southeast wall of the Titlis. Once down in the valley, we take the local bus back to Engelberg.
Day 8 Sunday
Back home !
Please contact me if you are interested by this great adventure, or any other you would like to do in the Alps or elsewhere.
– Lunches and drinks
– Personal ski equipment
– Travel to / from Andermatt.
– All transportation throughout the week starting in and return to Andermatt.
– Lift ticket on the preparation day in Andermatt.
– Hotel with breakfast before and after the week
– Compulsory insurance that covers mountain rescue.
– IFMGA guide fee
– Accommodation in huts including breakfast and dinner.
– Amazing views and awesome off-piste skiing.
1335€ / person (4 participants minimum)
6 days skiing, accommodation 7 nights
