Oberland
glacier snowshoeing 2024
4 day glacier snowshoe
trek, with 3 nights in a mountain
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| Course
overview |
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The
Jungfrau Aletsch area is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, and the views across the Bernese Alps
from the Aebniflueh are stunning. The snowshoeing
isn't too technical, but the altitude and
glaciers make this a unique snowshoeing tour,
and the length of the days is relatively short
to allow you to recover each day. |
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The
long weekend snowshoe trek is one of the highest
in the Alps, so good acclimatisation is essential.
As the snowshoe trek is at altitude this tour
can be run much later in the season than many
others, and snow is guaranteed! Our dates
for these trips are in April each year. |
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Your
endurance should be fairly good to make the
most of this region. You should be fairly
fit with good stamina to help you cope with
5-6 hour days of snowshoe trekking with a
pack. You are led by an expert IFMGA guide
who knows where to find the best snow, and
the safest route across the glaciers. |
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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,
keeping you fuelled for the next day of snowshoeing. |
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The
accommodation in the mountain huts on the
route is half-board throughout. This level
of comfort is important, as you really need
a good cooked meal after the efforts of each
day of snowshoeing. |
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Dates: these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice. |
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Brief
Course Itinerary |
| Fri |
Day
1 snowshoe tour: In the morning you meet your
guide in Grindelwald, at the foot of the legendary
north face of the Eiger, and together you take the
mountain railway built through the mountain to Jungfraujoch 3454m. The objective of the day is
to reach the Konkordia hut 2850m. Once you leave
the train station at Jungfraujoch, the glacier is
broad and easy to snowshoe on, so is not technical.
You are roped up with the guide, and descend over
the glacier to reach the Konkordiaplatz. You arrive
below the hut, and take off your snowshoes to ascend
the steps to reach the Konkordia hut. There you
can relax and enjoy great views across the Aletsch
Glacier and its surrounding mountains. Night in
the Konkordia hut. |
| Sat |
Day
2 snowshoe tour: You
wake up and have breakfast in the Konkordia hut,
then set off for the day. You descend the steps
below the hut to reach the Aletsch glacier. The
objective today is to traverse the Great Aletschfirn
snowfield of the glacier, to cross the whole glacial
basin. The traverse of the Konkordiaplatz is beautiful
and remote, as you snowshoe up a gentle incline
past the mighty Aletschorn mountain, to finally
reach the Hollandia
Hut 3240m.
This is your base for the next two nights, and
again you are staying half board in the hut, so
get a good three course evening meal, and a breakfast
in the morning. From the hut terrace, it is the
view of the Aletschhorn that dominates. Night
in the Hollandia hut. |
| Sun |
Day
3 snowshoe tour:
Today is the highlight of the week, as you aim to
snowshoe to the summit of the Aebniflueh 3892m.
You set off early today from the hut, to take advantage
of the re-freeze of the snows overnight, and the
least wind. From the Hollandia hut you start snowshoeing
towards Aebniflueh, and ascend steadily up its namesake
glacier. As you near the summit, the glacier steepens,
but it is well within the capabilities of the snowshoes,
and isn't too techncial. You'll feel the effects
of the altitude, and slow the pace accordingly.
Once on the summit, you are rewarded by stunning
views of the Jungfrau
Aletsch area. After summit
celebrations, you descend the same route to return
to the Hollandia hut for the night. |
| Mon |
Day
4 snowshoe tour: After
breakfast you pack your bag for the last time,
and set off snowshoeing. You descend the Lang
Glacier into the Lötschen Valley. After yesterdays
summit, the legs might be feeling a little tired,
but don't worry as today all the snowshoeing is
downhill. You can really relax, and take in the
scenery, the colours, and the views of the glaciers.
You descend all the way down to Blatten in the
Lötschen Valley in the afternoon. Here you
usually have a celebratory drink with your guide,
to toast the achievements of the last few days.
From Blatten you are free to depart, and there
are very regular buses to either Spiez / Interlaken
to the North, or Visp / Brig / Sierre / Zermatt
to the South. |
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| 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. |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course |
4 full days IFMGA guiding, 1:6 max ratio
4 days holiday in total, Friday - Monday |
£999 |
Live
availability |
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain
Guides for four days, 2) Alpine course hosts for
logistics, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4)
Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Three
nights half board accommodation in mountain huts
including three course cooked evening meals, and
daily breakfasts, 6)
Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Grindelwald, 2) Cable cars
and uplift (budget on c.£100), 3) Snowshoe
or B3 boots hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone
calls, lunches, & any purchases in mountain
huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) Sunday pre-dinner
drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks,
6) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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| Group
sizes: 4 - 6 people per
IFMGA mountain guide. For group sizes of over 6
people, there are multiple guides, and the teams
travel independently of each other. |
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| Upgrade
options |
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Avalanche
Skills Training
£75 (throughout the season) |
To
learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks
and use of avalanche tranceivers. Course is
available on any dates, either scheduled or
private, details. |
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Current
course availability
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| Testimonials |
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| Press
& media |
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| Films
& videos |
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| Photo
gallery |
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| Location
data for this trip |
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trips all start in the village of Grindlewald in Switzerland.
It is easily accessed via train or transfer from Geneva
airport. |
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Time
Difference
GMT +1hr |
Local
Currency
CHF |
Travel
from UK
1hr flight |
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| Free
resources |
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FREE
Podcast
Starting
snowshoeing
This podcast lifts the lid on the fastest
growing winter sport of snowshoeing,
what equipment is required, what to
wear, and what avalanche safety kit
to use... |
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| Equipment
advice |
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| Our
snowshoeing advice page (click
here) outlines the key equipment you should
bring. Snowshoes are loaned FREE of charge anyway, as
are avalanche safety beacons, so all you need to arrive
with are walking clothes, waterproofs, a small rucksack
and well insulated B3 mountain boots. |
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here |
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| So
why choose us? |
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We
are true specialists in snowshoeing. See our blog,
by clicking on the logo (on the right). |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount of time spent skiiing each
day. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. |
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We
have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort
support team, who all want you to have the best
snowshoeing possible! For more details on the guiding
team and qualifications, please click
here. |
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| Any further questions? |
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A key part
of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about
your plans with an experienced course advisor face to
face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients
value speaking to real people, getting open and honest
advice. The vast majority of our clients are British,
and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere
in the English Lake District.
 
Get in
contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor.
Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral
part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you
are prepared as possible, and that you select a course
that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more
enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip. |
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