Bernese Oberland Ski Traverse

The Bernese Oberland is a superb region for high altitude ski touring. It offers some of the finest ski touring and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Alps.

As part of this ski journey we aim to take in many of the great ski peaks of the region which offers many long ski descents and culminates with the classic 2000m descent down the Lotschental to finish. Our starting point is Interlaken, the capital of the Jungfrau region.

This is a classic tour and is justifiably popular. The region has varied terrain and objectives, offering flexibility to tour in most weather conditions.

8 day trip
6 days in the mountains
A peak each day
Fully-qualified Alpine guiding
Classic tour of the great Jungfrau region of Switzerland

NB - this itinerary is a guide only and maybe subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions at the discretion of your guide. We will make every endeavour to carry out the itinerary below but alterations may have to be made owing to weather and snow conditions.

Sunday

Ascend using the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch (3454m).A phenomenal feat of Swiss engineering, the train climbs in a tunnel bored through the Eiger and the Mönch. We start with the descent down the Jungfraufirn before making an ascent of the Louwihorn (3777m). A 900m vertical descent leads us to Konkordiaplatz and the meeting of four glaciers. We use ladders to climb up to the Konkordia hut (2850m).

Monday

We continue eastwards over the Grunhornlucke (3280m). Taking in an ascent of the Wyssnollen (3590m), gives us magnificent views of the surrounding peaks and a great ski to the Finsteraarhorn hut (3048m).

Tuesday

This a big day with the ascent of the Gross Wannenhorn, (3905m). It is the most southerly of the peaks climbed. A fine ski descent and return to the Finsteraarhorn hut for a second night.

Wednesday

We retrace our steps over the Grunhornlucke (3280m) and ascend via the Ewigschneefald ice fall to the east to traverse the Trugberg (3880m). This peak sits as an island surrounded by glaciers. We return to the Konkordia hut.

Thursday

The traverse the Kranzberg (3666m). This peak overlooks the Konkordiaplatz and is a fine peak to take in on the way to the hut. Our descent to the Grosser Aletschfirn is spectacular and leads across to the Hollandia hut (3240m).

Friday

This day is a wonderful finish to the trip. We climb the Abeni Flue (3962m) which gives great glacier skiing and brilliant views. We descend back to the Hollandia hut and at the Lotschenlucke drop into to the classic alpine ski run down the Lotschental. We return to Interlaken by train.

Saturday

Depart after breakfast.

Accommodation for the week is in a combination of hotel in the valley and mountain huts during the tour. In the valley you have twin room, ensuite accommodation with breakfast. We spend the first and last nights in Interlaken.  It is possible to leave some luggage in Interlaken whilst we are in the mountain huts as we return there for the final night.

The other five nights are spent in traditional alpine mountain huts. The Swiss huts have dormitory accommodation, but are renowned for good food: nourishing and plentiful. Breakfast and evening meal is also provided in the mountain huts as well as bedding. You do not need to bring a sleeping bag; you may however wish to bring a sleeping bag liner. Washing facilities in the mountain huts are pretty basic, because of necessary restrictions on running water. Carry just personal wash gear.

It is necessary for you to have the appropriate insurance for this trip. Make sure it is relevant for mountain sports, and that it includes liability insurance, helicopter rescue from mountains, and repatriation. There are other factors you should also consider. Our insurance partner TAGIS will be able to advise you on al your insurance needs.

If you plan to hire touring equipment, we recommend Vertical Sport in Interlaken. They are located within walking distance of the hotel at 44 Jungfraustrasse. Tel: +41 33 823 53 83. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You should contact them in advance to reserve gear.

Minimum group size is four people. Maximum size would be 12, with two guides.

You should be able to make smooth parallel turns on steep black runs before booking on to this course and have some off piste experience. The challenge of ski touring arises in one's ability to manage poor snow conditions which can vary greatly from windblown icy terrain to heavy wet snow.

Weather and snow conditions tend to limit this course to the month of April.

This trip is available for individuals and groups; we can however be  flexible and arrange your preferred dates when the traverse is in season.

Click to create your own date!

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

If you have a group of 6 or more people we will be happy to run an exclusive trip for yourselves.

2012 Price:

Trip Price includes:

• All guiding fees & expenses
• Two nights half-board hotel accommodation
• Five nights half-board accommodation in mountain huts

Trip Price excludes:

• Equipment hire
• Personal insurance
• Travel to/from Interlaken
• Lunches and beverages.
• Transfers and lifts

Note: the cost of transfers and lifts is excluded because the use of these will depend on weather and snow conditions. Based on previous tours the cost of transfers/uplift for this tour will be about CHF250.