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Oberland glacier snowshoeing 2024
4 day glacier snowshoe trek, with 3 nights in a mountain hut
Course overview
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.


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.
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
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
Latest Availability
Secure online booking system
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.
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.
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.
Upgrade options
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.
Current course availability

Course Dates
Oberland Snowshoe
  • No Dates Available
NOTE: This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are four who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
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Price: £999 Book online

Alternative courses
Best of Mt Blanc Snowshoe
Winter Mount Toubkal trek
Kilimanjaro trek (& Mt Meru)
Italian Snowshoe Weekend

Client feedback


A brilliant week exploring hidden the gems of the region. I will definately be back next year for more of the same. A huge thanks to you all so much

Jill Wheldon , Snowshoeing


Meticulously planned, and extraordinarily knowledgable. A brilliant holiday led by a guide who so obviously loved every minute of his job, and looked after us very well

Brian Atkinson , Snowshoeing

So so so much more than a walking holiday. Small groups, a really professional leader, and perfect weather to boot

Suzanne Whear , Snowshoeing
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Location data for this trip
The trips all start in the village of Grindlewald in Switzerland. It is easily accessed via train or transfer from Geneva airport.
Time Difference
GMT +1hr
Local Currency
CHF
Travel from UK
1hr flight
Free resources


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...
Download podcast (2.75 MB)
See all the Icicle podcasts
Equipment advice
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.
Suggested reading and kit
View full course equipment list, with examples of kit, click here
So why choose us?
We are true specialists in snowshoeing. See our blog, by clicking on the logo (on the right).
Icicle Blog
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.
Our prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so that you can budget accurately.
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.
Any further questions?
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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