Ski touring

On the go in ski-touring paradise

The Urseren Valley lies amidst the most beautiful snow-capped mountains in the canton of Uri and is the perfect starting point for ski touring. You can take an easy morning tour or set out for a multiday tour in untouched snow.

Quick tour on Pazolastock

Take the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway up to Oberalp Pass. Put your skins on right at the lighthouse, and then the ascent begins. You’ll seldom find yourself alone on this popular tour. In order to avoid the heavily trafficked ascent track, you can veer off to the west after the small Puozas valley. The terrain is open, and you can leave your tracks behind you in untouched snow. As you head toward Pazolastock, the yellow signposts stick out only a few centimetres above the deep snow, and from here, you’ll have a wonderful view toward Andermatt. You’ll then ski back to the top of the pass, where you can take a break at the Piz Calmot mountain inn.

The tour is suitable for beginners and takes about 1.5 hours. It is 2.5 kilometres long, with a change in elevation of 542 metres.

Daylong tour up the Stotziger Firsten

The Stotziger Firsten is right next to the Furka Pass. It's a classic among the ski tours in the Urseren Valley. First take the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Realp. From there, the tour follows the old Furka Railway line to the bridges over the Furkareuss river. Head south on the mountain road until, after a hairpin turn, the path leads through a ravine and on toward Laubgädem. Next comes a short but steep slope down to Mäder, followed by the moderately steep Northeast Shoulder to Seelein. Then past the Lägenden Firsten and over the East Slope to Steinmann on the East Peak.

The tour has a medium degree of difficulty and takes about four hours. It is 14 kilometres long, with a change in elevation of 1,210 metres.

Urner Haute Route

The Urner Haute Route leads from Andermatt to Engelberg. Over five days, you’ll travel from hut to hut in the secluded terrain of this far-removed region. This view is indescribable, both from the passes and from the various peaks. Highlights are the tours on the 3,502-metre Sustenhorn and on the 2,946-metre Grassen.

The tour takes five days and is challenging. It covers a total change in elevation of 5,500 metres, with full active time of about 20 hours.

Safety on ski tours

Ski tours need to be well planned. In addition to being in good shape, the right equipment for a successful day in the snow is of great importance. If you’ve never skied off-piste, you should definitely hire a mountain guide. In addition, Mammut Alpine School and Andermatt Guides offer guided tours.

Snow-tour bus and ski-tour gondola

Particularly in spring, when the days are longer again and the sun is more powerful, you’ll find ski tourers on the move. If you’re planning a tour originating from Gemsstock, then beginning in March, you can take the ski-touring gondola up Gemsstock starting at 7:30 a.m. You’ll then have to leave the official ski pistes.

To make the ascent easier, a snow-tour bus travels from the Andermatt railway station to Färnigen in Meiental starting in mid-March. From there, you can chose from among countless routes into the snow-capped mountains.