Western Oberland ski touring trip
Description:
Classic ski touring across the wild and beautiful Western Oberland Swiss alps.
This is a beautiful, beginner-friendly introduction to the Western Bernese Oberland — a five-day ski traverse linking the glaciers and ridges between Les Diablerets and Kandersteg. We’ll travel hut-to-hut through wide open glaciers, scenic passes, and welcoming mountain huts, supported by Switzerland’s excellent public transport system.
A warm-up day in Chamonix lets us refresh touring skills and safety techniques before heading north into the Oberland.
Day 1 – Warm-Up in Chamonix
Goal: Refresh touring technique and avalanche safety before the traverse.
Location: Chamonix Valley – Col de Balme or Aiguilles Rouges area
Ascent/Descent: ~800 m
Time: 4–5 hours on skis
Focus: Kick turns, transitions, group travel, and avalanche rescue review.
Evening: Overnight in Chamonix before an early drive to Martigny the next morning.
Day 2 – Les Diablerets → Geltenhütte (2,002 m)
We travel by train from Martigny to Aigle, then bus to Les Diablerets, Col du Pillon. The Glacier 3000 lift brings us high onto the Tsanfleuron Glacier before a descent and scenic traverse to reach the Geltenhütte above Gsteig.
Ascent: ~700 m | Descent: ~900 m | Time: 5–6 hrs
Highlights: First day on skis above 2,000 m, wide glacier views, and a gentle descent into a peaceful valley.
Accommodation: Geltenhütte SAC.
Day 3 – Geltenhütte → Wildhornhütte (2,303 m)
A steady climb leads past the Gelten Glacier and up to the Col du Brochet (2,754 m). From there, a beautiful traverse across glaciated terrain brings us beneath the imposing Wildhorn (3,248 m).
Ascent: ~1,100 m | Descent: ~800 m | Time: 6–7 hrs
Highlights: Classic high-alpine touring with an optional ascent of the Wildhorn if conditions allow.
Accommodation: Wildhornhütte SAC.
Day 4 – Wildhornhütte → Wildstrubelhütte (2,793 m)
From the Wildhorn Hut, we skin northwards across open glacial basins, crossing the Rawil Pass (2,429 m) and continuing beneath the Wildstrubel to the Wildstrubelhütte.Ascent: ~1,000 m | Descent: ~600 m | Time: 6 hrs
Highlights: Sweeping glacier views and the transition from Valais to the Bernese Oberland.
Accommodation: Wildstrubelhütte SAC.
Day 5 – Wildstrubelhütte → Lämmerenhütte (2,502 m)
A relaxed and scenic traverse, ideal for practicing glacier travel and route-finding. Optional summit of Schneehorn or Rohrbachstein for panoramic views before descending gently to the Lämmerenhütte.
Ascent: ~700 m | Descent: ~1,000 m | Time: 5–6 hrs
Highlights: Optional peaks and great views of the Valais Alps.
Accommodation: Lämmerenhütte SAC.
Day 6 – Lämmerenhütte → Kandersteg
Final day with a long, rewarding descent through classic Oberland scenery. Depending on conditions, we may ski an additional peak such as the Steghorn or Rote Totz before descending via the Gasterntal to Kandersteg.
Ascent: ~200 m (+ optional 400–600 m for peaks) | Descent: ~1,700 m | Time: 4–6 hrs
Highlights: Long descent and final celebratory ski back to the valley.
Return: Train from Kandersteg → Spiez → Martigny.
Notes for Participants
Difficulty: Moderate to experienced– suitable for fit skiers comfortable on off-piste terrain with prior ski touring experience.
Group Size: Up to 6 per IFMGA guide.
Accommodation: Swiss Alpine Club huts (half-board), included in the price. You will need to cover your own Chamonix accommodation including on the first night after day 1.
Transport: Start – Martigny → Aigle → Col du Pillon (train + bus). Return – Kandersteg → Spiez →
Martigny (train).
Required Gear: Ski touring setup with skins, avalanche kit (transceiver, shovel, probe), harness, boot crampons, and ice axe for glacial sections.
Conditions: The itinerary may change depending on weather, snow stability, or hut access conditions – your guide will choose the safest and most enjoyable option each day.
Price includes:
Guiding fees, logistics, half-board accommodation in mountain huts, guides expenses.
Price excludes:
Personal rescue insurance, hire equipment, lift passes, such as Chamonix and Les Diaberlets. Train and bus costs to start and finish the ski tour in Martigny, extra costs at the hut such as drinking water, picnics, lunches etc.
2025 price per skier: 2450€ Private guiding available on request.
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By booking this trip you agree to our full terms and conditions including the cancellation policy. The deposit is non-refundable. Please see our Terms and Conditions page
We comply with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018
