Western Oberland ski touring trip

Western Oberland Ski Traverse – Six-Day Guided Ski Touring Programme
Explore the wild and beautiful Western Bernese Oberland on a classic Swiss hut-to-hut ski touring adventure.

This six-day guided programme combines a preparation day in Chamonix with a planned five-day ski traverse from the Les Diablerets area towards Kandersteg.

Travelling through spectacular glaciated terrain, we’ll link mountain passes, remote valleys and welcoming Swiss Alpine Club huts, with opportunities to climb additional summits when conditions allow.

The programme is designed for skiers with previous ski touring experience who are comfortable skiing off-piste in variable snow conditions and have the fitness for consecutive days in the mountains.

Our primary objective is to complete the Western Oberland traverse. However, as with all high-mountain ski touring, the route is dependent on snow conditions, avalanche risk, weather and hut access. We plan flexibly and may adapt the route or use alternative mountain areas to provide a suitable ski touring programme.

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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.

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Mountain conditions and itinerary flexibility

Our planned itinerary is a five-day hut-to-hut ski traverse across the Western Bernese Oberland, preceded by a preparation day in Chamonix.

The proposed route, mountain huts and optional summits are dependent on weather, snow stability, glacier conditions and hut availability. As with all high-mountain ski touring, changes may be necessary, sometimes at short notice.

Our priority is to provide a rewarding and appropriately challenging hut-to-hut ski touring experience. If conditions prevent us from following the planned route, we will aim to adapt the traverse, use different mountain huts or relocate to another suitable Alpine area where conditions allow.

Wherever reasonably possible, we will maintain the planned duration, standard of accommodation and character of the trip, including consecutive days of ski touring between mountain huts.

If a suitable hut-to-hut alternative is not possible, we will discuss other available arrangements with participants. Any significant changes, differences in the services provided or applicable price reductions and refunds will be handled in accordance with the Package Travel Regulations.

Our IFMGA Mountain Guides retain professional discretion over route selection and mountain safety. Completion of the advertised traverse or any optional summit cannot be guaranteed.

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Notes for Participants – Trip information
Duration: Six days — one preparation day and five planned traverse days.

Difficulty: Intermediate ski touring. Suitable for fit skiers with previous touring experience who are confident skiing off-piste in variable snow conditions.

Fitness: Participants should be comfortable with consecutive mountain days involving approximately 700–1,100 m of ascent, with potentially longer days depending on conditions.

Group size: Maximum six participants per IFMGA Mountain Guide, subject to conditions and the suitability of the group.

Accommodation: Four planned nights in Swiss Alpine Club mountain huts, half-board included. Chamonix accommodation is not included.

Equipment: Ski touring skis, skins, suitable boots, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, harness, crampons and ice axe. A detailed equipment list will be supplied before departure.

Meeting arrangements: The programme begins in Chamonix. Travel arrangements to the traverse starting point and from the finish will be confirmed before departure.

Optional summits: Additional peaks may be included where conditions, timing and the group’s ability permit. These are not guaranteed objectives.

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Price includes

• Six days of professional IFMGA mountain guiding, including a preparation day in Chamonix and five planned days of hut-to-hut ski touring.
• Four nights of half-board accommodation in mountain huts.
• Public transport required for the planned traverse, including train and bus journeys from Martigny to the starting point and from the finishing point back to Martigny.
• Organisation, route planning and trip logistics.
• Guide accommodation, travel and other agreed guide expenses.

Price excludes

• Accommodation in Chamonix, including the night following Day 1.
• Travel to and from Chamonix and Martigny, except for the transport specifically included above.
• Lift passes, including Chamonix and Glacier 3000.
• Ski touring equipment hire.
• Personal mountain rescue, medical and cancellation insurance.
• Lunches, drinks, snacks and other personal expenses.

Alternative mountain huts and transport arrangements may be necessary if the itinerary changes. Any material differences in the contracted services will be addressed in accordance with applicable package travel law.

2027 prices, private trips:

• Two skiers: 2910€ per skier
• Three skiers: 2340€ per skier
• Four skiers: 1960€ per skier
• Five skiers: 1745€ per skier
• Six skiers: 1590€ per skier