Haute Route du Soleil

2009 DATES Click Dates To Book.... Week 13: 22 Mar - 28 Mar Full Skiing Programme Click Here COURSE DURATION 5 days, 6 nights ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE £835 Your course price covers: • Guiding + guides expenses • Full board + accommodation • All picnic lunches/snack food • All course transportation • All mechanical uplift • Loan of technical equipment Click here for Full Details RATIO Advanced

The high region of Central Switzerland is perfect for ski-touring, and this 'Haute Route of the Sun' is the classic high level route of the Andermatt area, along the chain of peaks forming Switzerland's southern border with Italy.

This trip is a great adventure with some strenuous days, visiting out-of-the-way places with wonderful skiing. One of the peaks we pass, the Witenwasserenstock (3082m), is remarkable for being at the watershed for the Mediterranean, North Sea and the Adriatic. The trip starts in the Binntal which has lush pine forests and old-style, dark wood rickety chalets. It then continues to the beautiful granite region of the Urner Alps which gives a great contrast in ambience. Evenings in Italian and a Swiss-Italian huts also give this trip great variety.

Andermatt is the natural centre for ski activity and has retained its character as an ancient, traditional Swiss village. THE COURSE CONVENES IN ANDERMATT (see information sheet link below) and our journey starts from here. The route follows the Ticcino/Valais border south of the Rhone Valley, dipping into Switzerland and Italy and giving an interesting contrast between the two cultures. This region is exceptionally quiet and has a remote feel about it. With the steep-sided Italian valleys to the south and the stunning 4000m peaks of the Bernese Oberland to the north, it is a most scenic area.

Itinerary

Day 1 We take the train to Fiesch then a taxi through a long tunnel to the 'lost village' of Binn. We continue in the taxi to the snowline and ascend to the Binntal hut (2267m, 3 hours). This is an unguardianed hut but basic food supplies are provided. There is also a stock of wine, beer and soft drinks which can be purchased. We supplement the evening meal with fresh food from the valley. (If the Mittlenbarg hut is guardianed then we will use this hut to save carrying excess food.) This area seems hidden from the rest of Switzerland, giving it a remote feel.

Day 2 We ascend the striking Offenhorn (also named Punta Arbola, 3235m, 5hrs), this is a remote peak and along with the Blinnenhorn (3374m) forms the main summits of the region. We descend the Hohsandgletscher into Italy and cross the Laggo del Sabbione to the Mores hut (2500m) for a welcome shower and good Italian food and wine.

Day 3 We ascend the main summit of the tour, the Blinnenhorn (3374m, 5hrs), using crampons to reach the table-top rock on its summit. The view of the highest peak in the Oberland - the Finsteraarhorn - is outstanding from here. A very long descent of 13km takes us to the small remote village of Al Aqua (1600m). We stay in a very comfortable Piansecco hut just one hour above Al Aqua.

Day 4 An early start from the Piansecco hut sees us on the way to the Passo Rotondo (3192m, 5hrs). There is a steep section which sometimes involves carrying the skis a short way. From here we descend 500m on the northern slopes and then climb to the Witenwaserenpass (2816m, 2hrs) before finally descending to the Rotondo Hut (2569m). The golden spires and fingers of rock passed on the way are really impressive.

Day 5 We make the short ascent of the Lekihorn (2 hrs, 3064m). This spiky and rocky peak is climbed on its north flank. After a short walk to this summit we can look back along our route, from the summit of the Offenhorn to the long glacier descending from the Blinnenhorn on day 3 and our route from the previous day. Mont Blanc is visible in the far distance. We then make a magnificent 1600m descent, starting down the Muttengletscher to Realp, then take the train to Andermatt.

Maps: Nufenenpass 265 s 1:50 000 Sustenpass 255 s 1:50 000

Ski ability required: Prior ski-touring experience is essential and you should have effective turns off-piste in a variety of snow conditions. A high level of fitness is important and you should be able to comfortably sustain a climb at a rate of 250 vertical metres an hour. A typical day will involve up to 5 hours of uphill skiing (up to 1000m of ascent).

Click here for Andermatt Information

Click here to see client feedback on our courses