Ski

URNER HAUTE ROUTE

Ski travers for the skier that likes big and sustained down hill skiing. Urner Haute Route is sometimes called the “Skiers Haute Route”.

from: 395.000 kr.

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    Trip dates 20.-27.March
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    SeasonMarch-May
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    Duration8 days
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    DifficultyExperienced skiers, good fitness

Tour Overview

Urner Haute Route is the ultimate ski adventure aimed towards good skiers that like the steep and deep. Engelberg is located in the pre-alps mountain range in Switzerland (Voralpen) and is one of the better off-piste ski areas in Switzerland. The area is know for its vast amount of powder snow it gets every season.
With sustained accents, steep and long decent this tour is the perfect fit for powder hungry skiers that want to maximise down hill skiing on a ski traverse.

The tour starts in Engelberg one day of warm up off piste skiing in the Titlis ski area. We then head to Realp (close to Andermatt) where we will spend the next 5 days in the mountains making our way form Andermatt to Engelberg. One of the highlight of the tour are the traditional Swiss mountain huts with and the traditional Swiss cuisine. The route has a lot to offer where we cross over mountain passes, summit different peaks and cross glaciers.

This 8 day challenging and super fun trip is perfect for seasoned skiers who are in a good physical shape.

Detailed information

Below are further details about the tour. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Fitness level: Strong, comfortable to move 300-400m in elevation per hour over 8-12 hours.
Experience level: Competent, experienced in the discipline and confident about their skill level.

Participants have to be able to skin up and ski down up to 1500 vertical meters in a day and ski decents up to 40° in good conditions, moderate mountaineering skills (crampons and ice axe).

Group tour (4-6 participants)
From 395.000 kr. per person

For a private course please contact us.

Preparation meeting in Iceland:
Couple of weeks before departure, we will have a preparation meeting for the group. It is a great opportunity to ask any questions that might have come up, get good advice regarding equipment and get familiar with your travel buddies.

Day 1: Travelday
Travel day. The best way to get to Engelberg is on an international flight to Zurich airport. From there it is easy to take the train to Engelberg. In the evening we will go over the journey ahead, pack our backpacks and get to know each other.

Day 2: Off piste skiing in Engelberg
Engelberg is an off-piste ski paradise located in the central Switzerland. From the top of the ski area, Klein Titlis, we have 2000m vertical drop all the way to the town with most of the drop being off piste skiing.
We use this day to warm up for the upcoming traverse and refresh on our avalanche rescue skills.
We stay the night in a hotel in Engelberg.

Day 3: Engelberg – Albert Heim Hutte
After breakfast we transfer with a taxi to Realp close to Andermatt where our ski traverse begins. We head up the road towards Furka Pass, which is closed during winter. Once we arrive at Hotel Galenstock (1995m) we head north and make our way to the Albert Heim hut (2543) where we spend the night.
Ascent: 1000m
Decent: 0m

Day 4: Albert Heim hütte – Gasthaus Göscheneralp
After a good breakfast we start with a short ski down to Sunnig Berg and continue our journey north towards Winterlucke pass (2852m). From there we follow the airy ridge using crampons and ice axe to the summit of Lochberg (3079m). After enjoying the view at the top, we ski down the steep slopes towards Göschenenralpsee lake. A small road will take us down to Gasthaus Göscheneralp (1580m) where we spend the night.
Ascent: 800 m
Descent: 1700m m

Day 5: Gwüest – Voralphutte
After a good coffee we make an early start and ascend to the Schinstock (3161m). To reach the summit we will have to put the skis on our backpack, using crampons and ice axe. From Schinstock (3161m) we enjoy a beautiful descent to the Voralp-Hütte (2126m). The east facing slopes often hold the best snow of the tour!
Ascent: 1600 m
Descent: 1140 m

Day 6: Voralphutte – Hotel Steingletcher
A long glacier ascent over two small mountain passes brings us to the Sustenhorn (3503m), the highest summit of the tour. The classic Steingletscher descent winds between crevasses and seracs before reaching the Steingletscher Hotel (1865m).
Ascent: 1500 m
Descent: 1800 m

Day 7: Hotel Steingletcher – Engelberg
From Steingletscher we ascend up over the Fünffingerstöck (2993m) and, if conditions permit, a steep descent brings us to the Wenden Glacier. One last short skin brings us to Grassen Biwak (2647m), followed by a beautiful descent under the imposing walls of the Titlis to the Engelberg valley. At the end of the ski run we transit via taxi or bus (15min) to Engelberg where we stay for the night.
Ascent: 1550m
Descent: 2450m

Day 8: Travel day
Time to say goodbye to the big mountains in around Engelberg and head back home.

Participants need to have insurance for search & rescue in mountainous terrain. Rescue teams in Europe reserve the right to charge their clients for the full cost of rescue and the use of helicopters, when needed. We also recommend that participants have at least a standard personal travel insurance on all our tours.

Asgard Beyond reserves the right to change the program of the trip with regard to weather and conditions at any time. This will be done with the safety of guests in mind and to ensure the best possible experience on the trip. If the travel arrangements change significantly, extra cost may follow.

Ski Equipment

  • Backcountry skis, 95 – 105 mm below foot
  • Backcountry ski boots
  • Skins
  • Ski poles
  • Ski crampons
  • Technical Equipment

  • Backpack 35 – 40 L with ski attachments
  • Ice axe, small & lightweight
  • Crampons for ski boots, lightweight
  • Harness, simple & lightweight
  • 120 cm sling
  • 2 x locked carabiners
  • Avalanche beacon, with fresh batteries
  • Shovel
  • Avalanche probe, 240 cm
  • Clothing

  • Gore-Tex jacket
  • Gore-Tex pants
  • Soft Shell jacket (optional, some prefer to bring Gore-Tex only)
  • Soft Shell pants (optional, some prefer to bring Gore-Tex only)
  • Mid layer jacked (down or fiber)
  • Mid layer fleece jacket or a vest
  • First layer top (wool or synthetic)
  • First layer bottoms (wool or synthetic)
  • Ski socks
  • Thin gloves
  • Thick gloves
  • Hat
  • Neck warmer
  • Headband for warmer days
  • For the Huts

  • Extra pair of socks
  • Extra pair of first layer (if you want)
  • Earplugs
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Cash for food and drinks
  • Toothbrush, soap & other personal hygiene items
  • Other items

  • Sunglasses (cat 3-4)
  • Skigoggles (light lens)
  • Sunscreen SPF 50
  • Lipstick (with sunscreen)
  • Headlamp
  • Ski strap
  • Water bottle 1 L
  • Thermos 0,5 L (Optional)
  • Band aids & blister kit
  • Powerbank to charge personal devices
  • Snacks
  • What's included

    • Preparation meeting with the guide prior departure in Iceland
    • 3 nights in hotel in Engelberg
    • 4 nights in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner
    • Guide's expenses
    • Icelandic IFMGA mountain guide

    What's notincluded

    • Airtravel to and from Iceland
    • Dinner at the hotel
    • Lunch and drinks in the huts and hotel
    • Transfer to and from Zurich airport
    • Ski ticket in Titlis
    • Additional travels and/or accommodation incase itinerary changes significantly due to weather or conditions
    • Travel and accident insurance

    Do you have any questions?

    Below are answers to some of the questions we get regarding the tour. If you do not find the answer do not hesitate to contact us

    • I’m a vegetarian/vegan, can special diets be accommodated?

      We will ensure that our guests with different dietary needs are looked after.
      All huts can offer a vegetarian option but is is important that you let us know in advance so the hut keeper can plan for this.
      Vegan option can be difficult to come around. Pleas get in touch with us and we can advice you on the possibilities.

    • What are the huts like?

      The huts are often very remote and sitting at high altitude, which means the comfort level is basic. They are clean and cozy and have everything you would wish for an overnight stay.

      Most of the huts have a hostel style dormitories where people have their own small space in a bunk bed. The hut provides blankets and pillows so you don´t have to carry a sleeping bag. Most of the time it is possible to charge your phone/camera in the hut but they do not have stable electricity so it is good to bring a power bank to charge your devices.

      The hut has a fully functioning kitchen and a bar where you can order lunch from a menu, coffee, cake or beer on tap. The quality of the water varies between huts and we recommend bottled water available for purchase at the hut.

    Testimonials

    Ferð mín með Asgard Beyond um Silvrettu leiðina var bara akkúrat það sem vantaði í líf mitt! Þetta var mín fyrsta ferð með leiðsögumanni, en ég hef áður farið á svipaðar slóðir sjálf. Það er alger game changer að leyfa fagmanni að taka ákvarðanir um leiðarval útfrá aðstæðum. Maður fær miklu meira úr ferðinni og þorir lengra út úr þægindarammanum. Ætla pottþétt í aðra ferð sem fyrst!

    Sara Axelsdóttir Ski touring guest

    Fór í ferð með Asgard um Silvretta Traverse og gæti vart verið ánægðari með ferðina, líklega eitt besta frí sem ég hef farið í. Róbert, okkar frábæri leiðsögumaður, var í senn afskaplega fagmannlegur og skemmtilegur. Hann hélt vel um hópinn og tryggði sér gott traust frá fyrstu stundu. Mæli hiklaust með þessari ferð og fyrirtækinu í fjallabrasið.

    Þórdís Bjarnadóttir Ski touring guest
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    Our
    partners

    Arc’teryX

    Asgard guides wear Arcteryx gear because it is durable and keeps them warm and dry in challenging conditions.

    Fjallakofinn

    Fjallakofinn is an outdoor store in Reykjavík offering high quality outdoors products & a rental service.