Snowshoe hiking: winter up close
Winter wonderland
Do you love snowy woods, crunchy snow, peace and solitude? On a snowshoe tour, you’ll be far away from the ski lifts and pistes in a flash. At Andermatt, Sedrun and Disentis, many routes are signposted and easy to reach.
Charming pass roads
In winter, the roads over the Furka, Gotthard, and Oberalp Passes are closed to vehicle traffic. The passages, so busy in summer, lie quiet beneath a thick blanket of snow. This affords you a wonderful opportunity to discover these regions. The Saint-Gotthard Massif, for instance, beckons with quiet and solitude. Heading toward the Furka Pass, you’ll reach the Albert Heim hut of the Swiss Alpine Club. From there, you’ll have a sensational view of the mighty peaks nearby – looking out from the cosy sun terrace with a hot drink in your hand. The hut is almost always serviced. When descending, another stop beckons: the Hotel Tiefenbach. Here, you can rent sleds that will take you back down to Realp in a flash. Not snow covered, but just as charming: the Lukmanier Pass. From the top of the pass, hours-long snowshoe tours will lead you through an area whose scenery is unmatched. You can get to and from the top of the pass conveniently with the ski touring bus.
Summit destinations with a view
Do you enjoy challenging destinations with a 360-degree view? An ascent from Realp to the Stotzigen Firsten, from the Albert Heim hut to the Chli Bielenhorn, from Mompé Medel to the Piz Pazzola, or from the Oberalp Pass to the Piz Cavardi requires technical skill and good conditioning. You’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable view of countless high alpine peaks.
In the tracks of wildlife
When hiking in fresh snow, you might encounter animal tracks. Do you recognise them? And if you’re really lucky and stand still for a while, you might even encounter the animals themselves. Moving about in our woods and on our mountains in winter are such animals as black grouse, ptarmigans, mountain hares, and chamois. Please be sure to avoid tramping into wildlife reserves with your snowshoes.
Click here to learn more about wildlife.
Safety first
When snowshoeing, you’re travelling off the safe pistes. The trails are marked, but they sometimes cross through territory that is exposed to avalanches. Experience in open terrain, skill in using avalanche gear, and serious preparation, as well as an overview of the current avalanche situation, are essential requirements for every tour. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, or if you’re unsure about your off-piste abilities, we recommend that you arrange for a mountain sports expert to accompany you. Please also respect the wildlife reserves.
