'wild' high level route - a journey across 3 cantons

The ‘Wild’ High Level Route is our local classic long tour.  It starts in canton Vaud and crosses through Berne and Valais.  This quieter corner of Western Switzerland usually has excellent snow conditions early in the season while higher tours are not yet in good condition.  The tour benefits from high lift access at the start leading to remote and wild terrain. 

This tour is an excellent option for those new to high level routes, and also for experienced skiers seeking quality touring.

The trip duration is 8 days including arrival and departure.  There are 6 days of guided skiing.

Programme

There are alternatives, and flexibility is the key to getting the most enjoyable ascents and best snow for the week.  The following programme is an outline, and will vary depending upon weather and conditions.

Day 1  Meet in Leysin at 7pm for a briefing on the week's activities.  Night in hotel.

Day 2  Day skiing off-piste with a short tour usually using the Glacier 3000 lift with an ascent of Les Diablerets (3209m).

Day 3  From the Col du Pillon in canton Vaud we take the Glacier 3000 lift and descend to the Col du Sanetch.  We then climb the Arpelistock (3035m) by the elegant crest of the Arete de L’Arpille.  This is followed by a long run down north facing slopes to the Gelten hut (2003m) on the canton Berne side of the range.

Day 4  From the hut we make our way back up to the Gelten glacier to cross onto the canton Valais side and traverse around to the Wildhorn (3247m).  From here we make a long descent north-east via the Tungel glacier to the Wildhorn hut (2303m).

Day 5  The following day we make a traverse of the Schnidehorn (2937m) and descend into the remote snow plateau of the Alpage du Rawil, to finish at the Wildstrubel hut (2791m).

Day 6  From the hut we cross the Glacier de la Plaine Morte, and then ascend the Wildstrubel (3243m).  We descend the Wildstrubel glacier to the Lammeren hut (2504).

Day 7  From the Lammeren hut, depending on conditions, we make an ascent of one of the nearby summits (e.g. Steghorn 3146m, Daubenhorn 2941m) and descend to either Leukerbad or Kandersteg, and transport links back to Leysin.

Day 8  Depart.

The group will be up to 6 skiers with 1 guide.

At the Col du Sanetch with the Arpelistock beyond