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Skill: ***/*
The intermediate level hut-to-hut ski tours are aimed at newcomers to multi-day hut-to-hut ski touring. However participants
should have completed some day tours and have basic ski touring experience – e.g. familiarity with using skins and skinning
technique, conversions/kick-turns. You need to be able to walk uphill on some steep and exposed slopes with boot crampons while
carrying your skis on your rucksack.
You need to be a competent off-piste skier capable of skiing 15 - 20 continuous turns off-piste on most slopes and with the
confidence to tackle steeper pitches in tricky conditions.
These tours differ from the beginner level tours in that ascents & descents will be more demanding – i.e. longer &
steeper.
Stamina: ****
Stamina-wise, you need to be able to ski all day for 6 consecutive days at a steady pace. On these courses the maximum
skinning will be 3 - 4 hours per day. Ski touring is hard work and we do find most newcomers are surprised by just how
physically demanding it can be! These tours differ from the beginner level tours in that ascents & descents will be more
demanding – i.e. longer & steeper. You need to be able to carry a rucksack with all need for a week staying in mountain
huts.
To get maximum enjoyment from these trips you need to be working on your fitness well in advance of the tour which means
plenty of aerobic exercise like running/cycling/swimming.
The 'Wild' High Level Route starts in Canton Vaud and crosses through Berne and Valais.
This quieter corner of Western Switzerland often has excellent conditions when higher areas have bad weather and wind affected
snow.
The tour benefits from easy lift access at the start, but otherwise the week is spent in remote and wild terrain, staying in mountain huts.
Read more about Leysin, Switzerland Enquire about this tripItinerary
There are many alternatives, and flexibility is the key to getting the most enjoyable ascents and best snow for the week. We
will make every endeavour to carry out the itinerary below but alterations may have to be made owing to weather and snow
conditions.
Day 1
Arrive in Leysin and meet up with your guide for an initial briefing and review of the itinerary. Stay overnight in
Leysin.
Day 2
A day of off-piste skiing with a short tour around Leysin. Stay overnight in Leysin.
Day 3
From the Col du Pillon in canton Vaud we take the Glacier 3000 lift and descend to the Col du Sanetch. We then climb the
Arpelistock (3035m) by the elegant crest of the Arete de L'Arpille. This is followed by a long run down north facing slopes to
the Gelten hut (2003m) on the canton Berne side of the range.
Day 4
From the hut we make our way back up to the Gelten glacier to cross onto the canton Valais side and traverse around to
the Wildhorn (3247m). From here we make a long descent north-east via the Tungel glacier to the Wildhorn hut (2303m).
Day 5
The following day we make a traverse of the Schnidehorn (2937m) and descend into the remote snow plateau of the Alpage du
Rawil, to finish at the Wildstrubel hut (2791m).
Day 6
From the hut we cross the Glacier de la Plaine Morte, and then ascend to the summit of the Wildstrubel (3243m). We
descend the Wildstrubel glacier to the Lammeren hut (2504).
Day 7
From the Lammeren hut, depending on conditions, we make an ascent of one of the nearby summits (e.g. Steghorn 3146m,
Daubenhorn 2941m). After our final descent, we use the lifts to take us down to Leukerbad or Kandersteg, and transport links
back to Leysin.
Day 8
Depart after breakfast.
Additional Information
Private group tours are available on request from mid-March to early May.
Price
The price includes: 6 days guide fees & expenses, 3 nights half-board hotel accommodation (twin rooms), 4 nights
half-board accommodation in mountain huts
The price does not include: lift passes and transfers, lunches, beverages, equipment hire, personal insurance, travel
to/from Leysin
Single room occupancy may incur an additional charge.
We exclude the cost for lift tickets and transfers because our use of these may vary depending on weather and snow
conditions. Based on the standard itinerary, the cost of transfers and lift tickets will be around 210CHF per person.
Group size
Minimum group size is 4. Maximum group size is 12 with 2 guides.
Accommodation
3 nights will be spent in one of the many small, comfortable hotels in Leysin in twin rooms on a half-board basis.
The other 4 nights are spent in traditional alpine mountain huts. It is possible to leave some luggage in Leysin whilst
you are in the mountains, as you will return there for the final night.
Equipment
A copy of our
recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of
booking.Ski touring skis, boots and bindings are essential for this tour.
All skiers will need to carry a pack (max 45 litres) with safety gear, a minimal change of clothes and personal items.
Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment: transceiver,
shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set and we have a special offer on BCA’s
excellent DTS Tracker. Alternatively we do have a limited number of sets for hire at CHF80 for the week, Please ask us for
details.
Equipment Hire
If you plan to hire touring equipment, we recommend Hefti Sports in Leysin. The hire shop Virage 2000 is located in Place
Large, Leysin (opposited the lift station), Tel: +41 24 494 17 44, email: info@heftisports.ch. You should contact them in
advance to reserve gear, and prices are shown on their website
www.heftisports.ch
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for ski touring covering personal accident, rescue and third party
risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote CLICK HERE or contact our office for further details.