West Oberland Way ski

The Western Bernese Alps stretch along the Rhone Valley from Les Diablerets to Kandersteg.The trip runs parallel with the Valais Alps with magnificent views of Grand Combine, Arolla, Zinal, Matterhorn,

Journey along the West Oberland

The Vaudois Alps border the Northern edge with sweeping limestone features. East is the mighty Oberland with views to the Monch and Eiger. West is Chamonix and Mont Blanc. The route takes in some the best views of the Alps.

The highest peaks on the route are shapely but not too high, around 3000m. A good option for the skier with little acclimatisation and out in the Alps for the one week. The trip has a logical journey from Diablerets to Kandersteg. The ski touring is a remote and wild experience away from many big ski areas with fantastic views. The descents can be wonderfull.

The trip will start in Villar which has easy access from the Swiss Rail and bus network.The finish at Kandersteg has efficent  rail link to either back to Villar or ease to Zurich, Basel and Geneva Airports.

Start of the West Oberland Ski Traverse

Villar ski lift then Les Daiblerets Glacier. Monday 22nd april
Finish: Kandersteg Friday 26th april
Duration:5 days Monday 26th-Friday 30th April 2010
Maps:Swiss 1:50 000 272s St Maurice, 273s Montana, 263s Wildstrubel.
Difficulty: BSA.numerous short steps with some glacial skiing.

Programme of the traverse on skis of the West Oberland Way

• Sunday 25th April. Meet in Villar(meeting place to be aranged nr time) for full briefing and gear talk.

• Monday 26th April: Villar to Col Du Pillon. Les Diablerets 3209m-Glacier de Tsanfleuron 2555m-Arpelistock 3035m-Gelten Hut 2002m

• Tuesday 27th April: Gelten Hut 2002m-Wildhorn 3247m-Wildhorn hut 2303m

• Wednesday 28th April: Wildhorn hut-Scheidonhorn 2937m-Weisshorn 2948m-Wildstrubel hut 2791m

• Thursday 29th April: Wildstrubel hut- Weisshorn 2948m-Wildstrubel 3244m-Lammeren hut 2501m

• Friday 30th April: Lammeren Hut- Roter Totz 2848m-Kandersteg 1200m. Return to start.

Ski Equipment hire: See ski kit list. Twid can hire for a small fee. Transceivers, probe, shovel, crampons, axes, harness, Karabiners, ruck sacs.Ski hgher is possible at many ski shops in Villar. Best book prior to trip start to best deal on kit.Ski touring kit required. Skis, binding, skins and harscheisen.

Accommodation: Huts are pre booked by Twid. 70-80sfr Dinner bed and breakfast per night. Bring BMC cards or reciprical rights of alpine clubs.Bring silk liner for huts. Huts provide blankets/duvets. Food is provided in huts at a good standard. Pack lunches are possible to buy. Most folk bring lunches for first 3 days. Bring brew kit (tea bags, coffee, hippy teas etc) Alcohol is possible to buy.

Travel: Fly best to Geneva (Easyjet, BA, Ryan AIR, jet2,swiss air) then take the airport train station. Take train to Aigle or Bex (1.hr20min). Transfer by bus or tram to Villar (20min). Return same price as one way. Swiss travel card bought on line very good value.

Costs:
Whats covered in Fee:Guides fee £590pp plus hut costs (food and water)Guides get free accommodation in huts not food! 35-40sfr per night split by group 150sfr/client.

What is not covered:
Hut costs: 70-80sfr per night
Travel costs: 45sfr Geneva-Villar on public transport, Day ticket Villar 62sfr, Train back from Kandersteg
Insurance:Mountaineering insurance must be have. Active card ,bmc etc.
Accommodation in Villar: 70sfr bb
Ski Hire.

West Oberland ski traverse Villars to Kandersteg over 5 days