Freeride & ski touring

An easy, lift-assisted ski tour: from Oberjoch via the Gummihitta and past the Bachsee to the summit of the Faulhorn (2,681 m), then down the wide south-facing slopes to Bussalp, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in view all day. Go only with full touring kit (transceiver, shovel, probe) after checking the current avalanche bulletin – if in doubt, with a mountain guide.

Distance

8.8 km

Ascent

470 m

Descent

1,170 m

Time

ascent approx. 1 h 30–2 h, plus descent

Difficulty

L (easy, SAC ski touring scale)

Season

Winter, while the First/Oberjoch lifts are running – depending on snow and avalanche conditions

Start → Finish

Oberjoch (Grindelwald-First) → Bussalp

Getting there from Wengen: From Wengen by train to Grindelwald, then the First gondola and the Oberjoch chairlift. From Bussalp, take the bus back down to Grindelwald.

Good to know: Ascent 420 m · descent 1,045 m · south-east aspect (SAC)

A varied, sunny ski tour above the Lauterbrunnen Valley: from Sulwald through the Guferwald to Alp Suls and over the Schärihubel to Höji Sulegg (2,413 m), with the Lobhörner pinnacles as a backdrop and a long run down to Isenfluh. The section to Alp Suls needs careful avalanche assessment – go only in safe conditions, with transceiver kit and experience, or with a mountain guide.

Distance

11.8 km

Ascent

900 m

Descent

1,330 m

Time

ascent approx. 2 h 30–3 h, plus descent

Difficulty

WS+ (moderately difficult, SAC ski touring scale)

Season

Winter, depending on snow and avalanche conditions; the run down to Isenfluh needs enough snow

Start → Finish

Sulwald → Isenfluh

Getting there from Wengen: From Wengen take the Wengernalp Railway to Lauterbrunnen, the bus to Isenfluh and the small cable car up to Sulwald. The descent ends in Isenfluh.

Good to know: Ascent 890 m · descent 1,330 m (SAC)

The demanding home-turf tour above Wengen: from Kleine Scheidegg up the Lauberhorn (2,472 m), over the Tschuggen (2,521 m) to Männlichen and down towards Grindelwald, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in view. Graded ZS (fairly difficult) and for experienced ski tourers only: set off only when the avalanche bulletin is favourable and with transceiver, shovel and probe – without that experience, go with a mountain guide.

Distance

10.9 km

Ascent

1,190 m

Descent

1,460 m

Time

approx. 5 h of climbing in total, plus descents

Difficulty

ZS (fairly difficult, SAC ski touring scale)

Season

Winter, depending on snow and avalanche conditions

Start → Finish

Kleine Scheidegg → Läger (Männlichen ski area)

Getting there from Wengen: From Wengen take the Wengernalp Railway up to Kleine Scheidegg. From Läger, ski the pistes down to Grindelwald Grund and return to Wengen on the Wengernalp Railway via Kleine Scheidegg.

Good to know: Ascent 1,130 m · descent 2,260 m to Grindelwald (SAC) · summits Lauberhorn, Tschuggen, Männlichen