West Oberland Haute Route
This superb ski journey runs from Diablerets near Leysin to
Kandersteg in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. Virtually
unknown to British skiers, it has long been regarded by the
Swiss as a classic tour and most people compare it favourably
to the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route. Among the highlights of
the tour are superb north-facing (powder) slopes giving about
1000m of descent each day, and beautiful backdrops of huge
limestone cliffs and the peaks of the Swiss Valais.
The tour has a truly remote, ‘high mountain’ feel,
keeping to the spine of the range for most of the way so that
the views are magnificent and mostly full panoramas. Small,
friendly and comfortable huts add to the experience and more
summits are ascended than on the standard Haute Route.
Itinerary
Day 1 The week begins with a ski-mountaineering day on the
peaks around Leysin, checking equipment, refreshing touring
and off-piste skills during ascents of peaks such as Pic Chaussy,
La Para or Walighurli (each of which gives an excellent view
of our route through the Western Oberland).
Day 2 We take the Glacier
3000 lift system to the Diablerets Glacier and descend to
the col de Sanetsch
then ascend the
fine crest of the Arete de L’Arpille (800m) to gain
the summit of the Arpelistock (3035m). The descent (1000m)
down to the Geltenhutte (fresh coffee and showers available)
is a breathtaking run.
Day 3 A big day over the major ski-touring
summit of the Wildhorn (3247m, 1400m ascent, 5 to 6hrs) and
down to the Wildhorn hut.
The route spirals around the peak, taking us through the impressive
cliffs that defend its summit. Another fantastic glacier descent
(1000m) takes us to the Wildhorn hut.
Day 4 We climb the Schnidehorn (2937m, 3hrs) which is a great
little summit and gives us access to a superb narrow valley
which takes us to the flat expanse of the snow plateau of the
Alpage du Rawil (2300m, 650m descent). The Rohrbachstien (2950m)
can be climbed as we climb to the newly renovated Wildstrubel
hut (2800m). The Wildstrubel hut has an excellent reputation
for its food (the apple tart and fresh coffee are particularly
recommended!).
Day 5 After a short ascent to the Weishorn (2950m, 40 mins)
we have a great ski down to the glacier de Plaine Morte .Touring
across the massive expanse of this glacial plateau evokes a
powerful feeling of wilderness. We then ascend the south rib
of the Wildstrubel (3243m, 600m ascent). With its ten summits
over 3000m it is a fantastic viewpoint for the great Oberland
peaks. We traverse most of these summits before descending
yet another classic run (800m) to the Lammerenhutte.
Day 6 From the Lammerenhutte we climb to
the domed summit of the Roter Tot (2850m, 2hrs) then an intricate
north-facing
descent takes us down 1600m into Kandersteg, skiing beneath
impressive rock architecture of towering limestone cliffs.
Train or taxi back to Leysin.
Ski ability required: Prior ski-touring experience,
effective turns off-piste in a variety of snow conditions,
and a high
level of fitness (able to comfortably sustain an ascent rate
of 250-300m per hour). A typical day will involve up to 6 hours
of uphill skiing (up to 1300m of ascent).
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