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Bernese Oberland Ski Tour 2011
Course overview Client feedback
A challenging ski tour with some of the most stunning panoramas the Alps has to offer, all made easily accessible by the famous railway that runs through the middle of the Eiger.
The ski tour is one of the highest in the Alps so good acclimatisation is essential. As the ski tour is at altitude this tour can be run later in the season than many others, and spring powder is guaranteed!
Skiing ability should be fairly good to make the most of this amazing region. You should be fairly fit with good stamina to help you to acclimatise easier and cope with five days of touring with a pack.
You are led by an expert IFMGA Guide who knows where to find the best powder and take in the best descents of the region.
'First can I thank you for organising a fantastic trip. S was just what I want in a guide, good fun, keen to teach and happy to shout at you when you do something stupid. The trip was a good mix of Skinning and scrambling, more adventurous than a normal tour. I know it is early but I will welcome more of the same next year'
Charles A, Oberland Tour 2009
'An amazing week full of challenges and exhileration. A dream realised!'
Wendy P, Oberland Tour 2006
As you are based in good quality comfy Swiss refuges you avoid the hustle of the valley floor and get a good a good cooked meal after the efforts of each day. The food in some of the huts is legendary. You'll eat well.
Dates: 20 - 26 March 2011, 10 - 16 April 2011. For current availability on this course click here.
The course at a glance...
7 days, running from Sunday to Saturday. Price £899pp, includes accommodation.
• Ski tour traverse over Bernese Oberland, for those with over a weeks touring experience
Top tip... book an Intro Ski Tour weekend just before to fine tune skills
You could also consider... Haute Route or Ski Mont Blanc


Course Photo Gallery


Brief Course Itinerary
Sun Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings are over by 19:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group to pre-dinner drinks. Night in Chamonix.
Mon Day 1 ski tour: drive to the village of Grindelwald at the foot of the Eiger. Take the impressive mountain railway built through the centre of the mountain to Jungfraujoch (3454m) and skin to Mönchjochhütte.
Tue
Day 2 ski tour: Alpine start from Mönchjochhütte to summit the Louroihorn, 3779m, then the exciting ski tour descent to the Lötschenhütte Hollandiaerse hut for the night.
Wed Day 3 ski tour: Ascend the Mittaghorn, 3143m, then traverse over the famous Grünhornlücke, the high pass between the Aletsch and Fiesch valleys, to summit Wyssnollen, 3595m. Ski down to Finsteraarhornhütte.
Thu
Day 4 ski tour: An early start for ascent of the highest point of the trip, Gross-Wannenhorn, 3905m. Then traverse the high plateau over to the Oberaarjochhütte for the night.
Fri Day 5 ski tour: The final summit of the week, the Vorder Galmihorn, 3517m, with a fantastic ski descent of over 2000 vertical metres to Munster. Return by train to Grindelwald, then to Chamonix for celebratory meal.
Sat Breakfast, then course debrief, with feedback and questions and answers session. Depart for home.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will attempt.

Course Prices
Standard course
5 days guiding, 7 days holiday in total £899
Premium course
7 days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK
£998
Secure online booking system
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guides for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Two nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 6) Four nights half board accommodation in mountain huts including three course cooked evening meals. 8) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Road transport in Chamonix valley and to and from Grindelwald, 10) Chamonix office support.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (budget on about £60), 3) Ski hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) train ticket (budget on about £10), 6) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Notes: The loan of all technical climbing equipment for each client is included* in the course price as required: ice axe, 12 point crampons, helmet, harness, ropes, ice screws, avalanche tranceiver, avalanche probe and shovel.
Upgrade options
Acclimatisation Weekend
£99 (throughout the season)
To get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential so that you minimise the chances of AMS (altitude sickness) later on during your course, details.
Avalanche Skills Day
£49 (throughout the season)
To learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks and use of avalanche tranceivers. Course is available on any day during the week (includes ARVA), details.