engelberg ski tour

Visitors on a safari are always keen to see the legendary "Big Five" - elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, buffalos and leopards. Freeriders in Engelberg, are mad about a different "Big Five": five unique runs and unforgettable powder-filled experiences.

Big like an elephant

When people think of freeriding in Engelberg, it's usually the Laub they have in mind. Its great breadth and length and easy accessibility has brought this mighty descent global fame. The Laub is a long off-piste run with a 1200m vertical descent.

Majestic like a lion

The Galtiberg route from TITLIS down to Engelberg promises you 2000 meters of spectacular freeride adventure. The "Galti" is one of the longest freerider descents in the whole of the Alps. A mountain guide is highly recommended!

As thick-skinned as a rhino

The Steinberg offers a range of descents that provide enjoyable freeriding over playful, undulating terrain. Bear in mind that there are crevasses on the Steinberg. A mountain guide is highly recommended.

Adaptable like the buffalo

Small, medium and large Sulz invite you to playful freeriding for all tastes and all levels of ability. Always read the avalanche forecast before heading out!

Concealed like a Leopard

The stone valley is somewhat hidden behind the Jochstock, but it is actually easy to get to on the Jochstock-Xpress. Because of its north-west aspect, good powder snow can often be found here even days after the last snowfall.

Freeride & Safety Info

Test your avalanche equipment in the new Avalanche Safety Competence Centre at the Mammut Store. 

Daily from 12.00 - 6.00 pm. 

HIGH 5 Ski Tours

Is ski touring your passion or would you like to gain your first experience in this gentle winter sport? The valley of Engelberg has a large number of ski routes that allow you to climb the most beautiful viewpoints against an imposing mountain backdrop and with more or less effort! You will be rewarded with a magnificent deep-snow run free of charge!

Urner Haute Route

This impressive ski tour through the unspoilt nature of the Central Swiss Alps used to be one of the major Alpine crossings. Today, the tour from Andermatt to Engelberg, which takes several days, is one of the absolute "ski tour delicacies" and should definitely be on your bucket list!

A difficult but impressive ski tour with breathtaking views.

This is a great ski tour for beginners. The Salistock offers beautiful views of Engelberg and the Engelberg Valley as far as Lake Lucerne.

Titlis round tour

The Titlis round tour offers long downhill runs, short climbs, rappelling into steep couloirs, and a great glacier hike. And then a spectacular north-facing descent from the Grassen bivouac to Engelberg.

The Brisen ski tour, with its magnificent panoramic views and descents, is one of the most popular tour destinations in the region.

Courses & Offers

Are you looking for your next mountain and freeride adventure? Find the right deals here that offer you the perfect experience, are organised by professionals and promise unforgettable moments.

Snow 'n Fish

If you are looking for a very special experience in nature, you will find it here. Lake Engstlen is a paradise for ice fishing and there are wonderful ski tours around the lake. The Hotel Engstlenalp, which will also be our accommodation, is nestled in this dreamlike mountain landscape.

Mountain Guides Course Program

The Engelberg Mountaing Guides offer many different courses and excursions. In their program you will surely find what you are looking for.

Event & Deals

Are you looking for your next mountain and freeride adventure? Here you will find a selection of guides and rental centers to make your powder experience perfect.

AVALANCHE TRAINING CENTER Free of charge

Below the Laubersgrat valley station, the Avalanche Training Center ATC is installed in winter. Avalanche training facilities provide an opportunity to practise with avalanche transceivers under realistic conditions.

Book your guide right here.

Rental Centre

You can buy or rent sports equipment and clothing in the following shops.

5 reasons why to freeride in Engelberg

When the best freeride areas in the Alps or even worldwide are listed, Engelberg is right at the top. Why should you definitely come here for freeriding this winter?

Geographical characteristics

Engelberg has its own microclimate, so to speak. The valley has a good angle and creates a damming effect. With westerly and north-westerly currents, the two most frequent wind directions in Switzerland, a large amount of snow often falls!

Perfect possibilities to get started

When freeriding on the really big hillsides and not shed a single drop of sweat on the way up? In Engelberg the "Big 5" offer you exactly this comfort. Immerse yourself in the powder directly from the lift - unbelievable but true!

All-Weather Terrain

The freeride area in Engelberg stretches from 1000 to 3000 m above sea level. Even days after the last snowfall, top conditions can still be found at higher altitudes. In addition, there are also various small, fine bad weather runs, so that you are sure to get your money's worth!

Relaxed freeride community

In Engelberg, a colourful freeride crowd from all over the world cavorts in winter. The experiences of the day are exchanged over a drink in one of the hip bars and pubs, new friendships are made and plans for the next day are made.

Short journey

In one hour's drive from Zurich to Engelberg and only 30 minutes later you are on Mount TITLIS, ready for the first run of the day. If you come by plane, you can make the first tracks in the snow with a morning flight before lunch.

Freeride Stories

In a freeride area like Engelberg there is a lot to tell about the shared passion, to talk about legendary runs or to talk about the pioneers of freeriding. Let yourself be carried away by exciting stories and thrilling videos!

RED BULL SEASON PASS

Engelberg is not known for its party-scene at all. But anyone who has ever read a ski magazine undoubtedly laid eyes on stunning pictures from Engelberg, whether they realize it or not. It is the go-to for some of the best ski photographers in Europe, and the hub for Scandinavians who wants nothing more than to go to bed early, just so that they can go ski even earlier. Tag along as we'll follow professional photographer Oskar Enander with crew to hunt down good pow for landing the next cover. Or as they call it: Work.

Dani Friedli

Dani Friedli has been the owner of the Okay-Shop for over 20 years. As a freerider from the very beginning, he contributed significantly to the successful positioning of the Engelberg freeride area. When you enter his shop, you immediately feel his passion and know that you and your skis are in good hands here.

As a freerider you must know Snowflake, an Engelberg original. Let yourself be carried away by him and let him show you the joys and wonders of nature through his eyes. You may soon meet him on one of your next runs - the eccentric Swiss skier with his philosophy of life, which is as beautiful and unique as his namesake.

Christoph Bissig and his mountain

Christoph, head of slope & rescue departement at TITLIS, lives his passion like no other. In the film about his everyday life on the mountain, Henrik Andersson has captured the beauty and fascination of his profession in a fantastic way. Despite some tough and difficult moments, you can feel the enthusiasm for his mountain throughout the film.

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• Ridge hike Stanserhorn-Engelberg
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ENGELBERG - ANDERMATT SWISS FREERIDE SKI TOUR

Explore deep powder turns around the Andermatt Ski Arena and the URI Canton while skiing thousands of acres of off-piste. With over 5,000′ feet of vertical from the top of Gemsstock, our groups will have unforgettable days in the Alps. Andermatt gets some of the most snow in Switzerland as it sits in a perfect location for storms and is typically colder than other resorts. Ski the legendary off-piste couloirs of Gemsstock mountain and explore the backcountry of Engelberg with our local guides.  Engelberg- The freeride mecca of Switzerland with some of the biggest descents in the Alps. Ski the infamous Big 5 at Engelberg including the Laub with a 4,000-foot vertical descent on one of the longest most consistent ski runs in the world. The Galtiberg is one of the biggest and most consistent runs in the world with over 6500 vert of skiing from the top! These areas have some of the most expansive backcountry zones accessible by lifts in the world! Engelberg is one of the best-kept secrets in Switzerland and this historic ski village sits at 3,300 ft above sea level. Mt. Titlis rises to over 10,600 ft which allows for some of the best snow in Switzerland! Andermatt gets some of the most snow in Switzerland as it sits in a perfect location for storms and is typically colder than other resorts.

Location: Engelberg Ski Resort & Andermatt Ski Arena, Switzerland

Duration:   8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days

Skill Level:   Strong Intermediate-Expert

Guide to Client Ratio: 4 to 1

Price:  $3695 per person

Trip Dates: TBD…

• WHAT'S INCLUDED
• THE EXPERIENCE

SAMPLE ITINERARY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Lift Tickets:  All Lift Ticket to Ski Engelberg & Andermatt, Switzerland Guiding:  8 Hosted days – including 6 Guided ski days at the surrounding resorts and backcountry Coaching:  Ski Technique & Backcountry Skills Sessions with Professional Skiers and Guides Transportation:  To/from Zurich Airport, and from Andermatt to Engelberg and to all Ski areas Lodging:   3 Nights in Andermatt and 4 Nights in Engelberg  *Based on 2 people per room (twin/double share). Meals:  Breakfast Every Day, Welcome & Farewell Dinner Secure Ski Storage & Boot Racks at Hotels LGA Welcome Gift Bag

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS FOR THE WEEK: *Scott Scrapper Skis with Marker Alpine Touring Bindings and Skins *Scott E1 Patrol Airbags, Avalanche Beacon, Shovel and Probe

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Lunches: Guests will be able to have lunch at local villages and mountain lodges through the week.
• 5 Dinners: Open for the group to explore town together or experience the local cuisine with new friends.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities for Guides
• Travel & Trip Insurance: We require trip insurance for all trips abroad.  We recommend World Nomads as they are the ultimate in travel protection and global emergencies and evacuations.
• Gear: Skis, Snowboards, Backpack, Avalanche beacon, Probe, Shovel, Skins, and Helmet. If you have your own equipment please bring it. Avalanche safety gear is required on all of our tours and is available to rent for the duration of the trip.

THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

Ski 6 days with LGA’s local IFMGA guides deep into the heart of the Swiss Alps and across multiple valleys. Explore deep powder turns around the Andermatt Ski Arena and the URI Canton while skiing thousands of acres of off-piste. With over 5,000′ feet of vertical from the top of Gemsstock, our groups will have unforgettable days in the Alps. Ski the legendary off-piste couloirs of Gemsstock mountain and explore the backcountry of Engelberg with our local guides.

Engelberg- a true Skiers mountain with expansive terrain and some of the best snow in Switzerland. The resort is home to five of the most iconic runs in the Alps such as the Laub. Vertical descents of 4,000 to 7,000 feet of powder await you above the town. Engelberg is rich in ski history and offers one of the best ski experiences in the Alps. At the end of the day enjoy one of the liveliest apres scenes in Switzerland!

Andermatt is another historic town whose roots go back to the days as a major trading hub between Italy and parts of Europe. With over 5,000 ft of vertical from the top and more backcountry touring than one could do in a lifetime, this is a mecca for skiing.

Enjoy one of the most scenic train rides along the Swiss mountains as we travel from Engelberg to Andermatt on our transfer day. Switzerland is well known for its efficient train systems and using this to access different ski areas allows our groups to experience more on our trips. The train passes along the lakes near the city of Lucerne and slowly climbs up past the “Devil’s Bridge” through the scenic Reuss Valley and crosses the Schöllenen Gorge.

THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Every morning you will be treated with healthy Swiss breakfasts before we start our day. We host 2 group dinners (Welcome & Farewell) at local restaurants. Swiss meals are known for their quality & local ingredients as each region we visit has its own unique flavor. The group will have lunches at various mountain huts, restaurants and cafe’s while you take in the 360′ Swiss Mountain views. We leave these open so each guest can explore new foods to try.

THE LODGING EXPERIENCE

Relax at hotels situated above the center of town overlooking the Engelberg Valley with stunning views of the resort and Swiss Alps. Every room has great views of Mt Titlis, the Laub, and the Spannort. The hotel features a full restaurant and bar, ski room with heated boot dryers and free wireless internet. After a long day skiing Engelberg and exploring this vast area, enjoy access to the Wellness Center. In Andermatt, we will be staying at a classic Swiss hotel that has hosted skiers for decades. Located in the center of town and close to the lifts, its a prime spot for any ski trip.

ARRIVAL DAY

Fly into Zurich International Airport (ZRH) – You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Zurich. Arriving the day before the trip allows room for any flight or luggage delays as well as gives you time to relax and adjust to the local time before the trip starts.

DAY 1 – WELCOME TO SWITZERLAND! TRANSFER DAY

Le Grand Adventure Tours welcomes you to Switzerland! All guests will rendezvous at Zurich International Airport and meet the LGA Team by 1pm. From here we will transfer you through beautiful Switzerland and to your first ski destination, Andermatt. Inspiring views of gemsstock and the Ursern Valley’s surrounding peaks await you.  We will have a group meeting around 6pm at the hotel to meet the whole group and talk about the trip and plan for the week. The guides will review the current snow conditions at the spots we will be skiing as well as any weather during the trip. The team will help guests get the gear dialed in for everyone so we are ready to go for the week. The evening offers your first chance to explore the town, dine or relax at the hotel with new friends. Steep yourself in Swiss culture and immerse into European life.

If rentals are needed, we can arrange snow equipment for the week through our partnership with Scott Sports. We will have a selection of powder skis with touring bindings to choose from. There will also be the brand new Scott E-1 Patrol Backpack and avalanche kits available for rent for guests during the trips. Both items can be rented for the duration of your trip to save you time and money. If you wish to rent ski/snowboard equipment please let us know so that we can coordinate your rental.

DAY 2 – 4 ANDERMATT RESORT & THE BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

Enjoy three days of skiing Andermatt and the surrounding backcountry zones amongst the Swiss Mountains. These mountains are home to some of the natural springs that feed Europe’s major rivers like the Rhone. Thousands of acres and over 5,000 ft of vertical skiing awaits you at one of Europe’s best ski areas and home to some of the best powder in Switzerland. Andermatt Resort and the backcountry skiing are arguably some of the most sought after in Europe. Wake up to a great breakfast buffet with freshly cooked meals and local favorites so you are ready to go for the day. With the options to ski in three different Swiss Canton’s, use of trains to explore new ski areas, and brand new lifts allow our groups to access a lifetime of terrain. Get ready for a great day of skiing ahead, this is what skiing in the Alps is all about!

The Andermatt Ski Arena and Backcountry has a lifetime of ski routes to explore. Over the course of our stay in this stunning valley, you will have the opportunity to see most of the area as we ski around three different Swiss Cantons and towering peaks. Ski the famous gemsstock area, Urserntal Valley, Göscheneralp, the backcountry around Sedrun, and many other alpine routes that our guides know the best way to access. This huge valley offers some of the longest, high alpine, and expansive terrain in Switzerland. A true skiers dream location to explore! Drop into 5,000 feet of vertical every day, covering high alpine powder, an expansive lift system to all major ski routes, and endless areas to stop along the way to see glaciers. A true beauty of the Swiss Alps.

Itinerary- Our guides will select the routes on a daily basis as they assess the conditions and weather. Our team is always looking for the best snow and instead of setting a day to day itinerary, we use our years of experience to find the best snow each day. From perfect powder over thousands of feet of vertical to the long open bowls, and into endless ski runs, this is a true once in a lifetime skiing experience. Andermatt has something for everyone and at the end of the day enjoy a cold beverage in town after exploring the alpine of Switzerland. We ski each day using trams, lift serviced access, trains, and shuttles to maximize ski time and find the best snow. Guests will be able to have lunch at local villages and mountain lodges through the week. The Hotel Monopol offers packed lunches daily for a small fee or one of our favorites- local salami, cheese, and baguette in the pack as not much can beat that!

The group can experience one of the many restaurants in town on the open nights. This will allow everyone to try the local flavors this area is recognized for.

DAY 4-7: ENGELBERG RESORT & BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

Get ready to head to one of our all-time favorite places in the world! All guests will meet the LGA Guides to transfer over to Engelberg by 4 pm after our last day skiing Andermatt. From here we will transfer you through beautiful Switzerland and to our second ski destination, Engelberg. Inspiring views of the Laub and surrounding peaks like Hanen await you. The Hotel Terrace sits above Engelberg with its unique cave entrance. A perfect Engelberg ski hotel with amazing views! This will be your home for the next 4 days to explore all of the Engelberg ski area and backcountry.

Upon arrival, we will get all of our ski gear ready for the next day and if you need skis we can visit one of the local ski shops in town. The LGA Guides will go over the plan for the next couple of days, discuss locations, possible weather and conditions in Engelberg. Enjoy some local wine, beer, meats, cheeses, and bread as you get to know your fellow skiers. The last night we will have a group dinner at the hotel and we look forward to sharing stories of skiing with all of you. After dinner, this is your time to relax in the hotel, explore the town, or take in the Swiss culture and enjoy the lively Apres scene.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY

Guests will be departing Engelberg around 9am after a great 6 days of great skiing! Join us for breakfast, say our goodbyes and enjoy a ride back through the Swiss countryside to Zurich International Airport (ZRH) where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in this beautiful city exploring the rich history of this area. We recommend selecting a departure after 2pm from Zurich International Airport. If you would like to spend another night in Zurich, please contact us and we can help you make arrangements.

NOTE: This itinerary is an example. The tour may be altered to adjust for weather and conditions. Our guides will plan the tour around the conditions to make sure you have the best trip possible.

BOOKING YOUR TRAVEL

Please reserve your tour with lga & get trip confirmation before booking flights., arrival & departure details.

You should arrive the day prior to the trip start date and spend one night in Zurich. Arrive to Zurich International Airport (ZRH).  If you’re able to find a flight that lands the day of the Tour Start Date and will be able to meet by our 1pm pick-up time, that works as well. Flight time from the West Coast of the United States to Switzerland is approximately 12 hours and 8 from the East Coast depending on if you book a direct flight or a flight with stops.

Departure is around 9am to Zurich International Airport (ZRH) Please do not schedule your departing flight before 2pm.  On the final day of the tour, we will transport you back to the airport where you can catch a flight home or enjoy a night in the next city. If your departure flight differs from this, we would be happy to advise you with transfer and/or hotel options if needed. We can offer advice and suggestions if you need any assistance. Please give us a call or send us an email for more information.

HOTELS BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

Arriving the day before the trip allows room for any flight or luggage delays as well as gives you time to relax and adjust to the local time before the trip starts. You will need to reserve a night at a nearby airport hotel, we have provided our favorite options for you to select from:

• Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport
• Jet Hotel Zurich Airport
• Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport
• Ibis Zurich Messe Airport

RECOMMENDATIONS

We suggest you bring your own ski and backcountry gear if you have it. A ski with roughly a 100mm to 110mm is the best option. If you want to bring a wider pair of skis please feel free or we can rent these if needed. We highly recommend bringing or renting a touring set up as this will allow the group to really ski a wide variety of areas. (not mandatory)   Having this as a daily set up allows us to find the best snow on the resort, quick laps in the sidecountry or going a little deeper into the backcountry. There are also options for ski touring days if the groups wants. If you have a new pair of touring bindings (Dynafit, Plum, Marker, Salomon, etc) and are comfortable skiing a wide variety of terrain on them, please feel free to bring them. Always bring extra layers, good gloves, 2 goggles if you have them or extra lenses, winter clothes for after skiing and a down jacket. We will be in the mountains so bring clothes that will keep you warm in a wide variety of conditions.

SCOTT SPORTS DEMO SKIS

Through our partnership with Scott Sports we will have a selection of Scott Scrapper powder skis with Marker alpine touring bindings with skins to choose from. Skis can be rented for the duration of your trip to save you time and money.

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY GEAR

Avalanche safety gear is required on all of our tours. If you have your own equipment please bring it. We have Scott E-1 Patrol Backpacks including a beacon, shovel and probe available to rent for the duration of your trip.

ALL ABOUT SWITZERLAND

Weather & mountains.

For the most accurate weather please check the Engelberg  & Andermatt Weather Online  a few days before your trip. We will guarantee you get the most out of your ski holiday as we have a wide range of activities that we can add to the trip in case there are down days due to snow storms or weather.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but Amex is not always accepted. Better stick with Visa. You will need some cash – but just for casual expenses. Most things can be paid for by credit card. The currency is CHF/Swiss Franc. EUR is not the currency of Switzerland (even if it is sometimes accepted by some merchants at a bad exchange rate). It never makes sense to carry too much cash on you – anywhere. Withdrawing cash from your checking account using your US cash/debit card is usually much cheaper than converting dollar bills at an exchange desk and you will get the BEST Exchange rate. Many credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee around 3-5%. This may be the time to get yourself a fun new rewards travel credit card that comes with “No Foreign Transaction Fees.” With its plethora of international banks, the country is a center for global wealth. This means prices are high, but people are paid quite well. Supermarket sell pre-made meals for between 5-9 CHF. Bars and cafés are the cheapest food option, cost about 9-15 CHF for a lunch special. Restaurants with table service are around 20 CHF for lunch and 40 CHF for dinner (starter, main, and drink) to start. You’ll typically find pizzas for around 20 CHF in a restaurant. If you’re dining out (but still trying to stick to a budget), you’ll spend an average of 25-45 CHF a day on food.

LANGUAGE The four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh. In the Davos & St. Moritz area they speak German or a Swiss-German dialect. You will find English is widely spoken all over Switzerland. It is still great to learn a few of the day to day vocabulary to be polite.

SAFETY Switzerland is very safe. Always take regular precautions whenever abroad to save yourself from any potential headaches that could interfere with your travels.

Check out our General FAQs section. Here you will find answers to your general questions.

DO I NEED TRIP INSURANCE?

Trip Insurance is Not Included – We require trip insurance for all trips abroad. Protecting your trip & safety is our priority.  We recommend World Nomads as they are the ultimate in travel protection and global emergencies and evacuations. They provide rescue and coverage designed for ski trips where other travel insurance options may not cover or rescue with skiing involved. This policy will cover you in case of any medical and personal accidents that could occur prior to or during your trip. This will also cover you if you have to cancel your trip for any reason or if your baggage gets delayed or lost.

DO I NEED TO TIP OUR GUIDES?

Gratuities for your guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7-10% of your trip price for the guide team. US Currency is preferred, however, local currency is also greatly appreciated. Unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on the overall trip experience provided by our team.

WHAT IS THE BOOKING PROCESS?

Contact LGA Tours via our website or telephone and an LGA representative will be in touch with you. After we confirm availability and confirm trip details, you will be provided a booking link to reserve your trip. Once you book the trip, a guest confirmation letter is immediately sent out. In the confirmation letter you will find a link to complete your guest profile form online as well as a link to your liability release that you will need to complete. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a deposit is due at the time of booking. If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know before you go.

CAN I RESERVE MY TRIP WITH A DEPOSIT?

Yes, you can reserve your trip with a Deposit for all Multi-Day Tours lasting 24 hours or longer. If you seek to reserve a spot on a Tour more than 90 days prior to the Date of Departure, the deposit amount is $1000. For Private Group Tours the Deposit amount is fifty percent (50%) of the Tour Price. Within 89 days or less prior to the date of departure, the full amount is due at time of booking.

WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT FOR THIS TOUR DUE?

Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure, or 7 days from booking confirmation if booking is within 90 days.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY?

Le Grand Adventure Tours cannot be held responsible for snow and/or weather conditions. Trips cannot be canceled or amended on the basis of snow and weather conditions. No refunds, reimbursements or discounts will be granted if, for any reason, client misses the tour, fails to join the tour, leaves the tour, is dismissed from the tour, or cannot fully participate in the tour. Any refunds will be at the discretion of Le Grand Adventure Tours if you are involuntarily forced to leave a tour for any reason. Travel Insurance is required on our trips to avoid the financial risks related to cancellations, involuntary early departures, medical reasons or any other travel related problems. 

WHAT IS THE GROUP SIZE?

We like to guide small group tours to ensure you have a great experience. Groups are typically between four to eight people. Private groups range anywhere from 6-16 people.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?

Ski/Snowboard Gear: Skis/Snowboard, boots, poles Goggles Helmet

Misc/Recommended: Backpack Avalanche Transceiver Shovel/Probe Touring Gear and Skins Packable Puff (We can assist with some gear, please feel free to contact us)

Après Clothing: You will be in the mountains for a week so please bring warm clothing for when you’re not on the slopes.

Travel Requirements: Current Passport Credit card, cash and/or traveler’s checks ID or driver’s license Medical insurance cards Prescriptions or other medications Important phone numbers Proof of Travelers Insurance

Andermatt, Switzerland

Engelberg, switzerland, happy customers., one of the best weeks of my life on all and every level, extraordinary experience, great experience and i highly recommend a trip with them, i have plenty of runs and specific turns deeply entrenched in my mind now.

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Titlis Rundtour - The alpine classic

hi guys. what length rope is needed for Titlis rundtour ...

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Safe snow fun in powder snow at the Snow & Safety Days.

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• Please note that you are travelling at your own risk.
• A ski tour must be carefully planned.
• Appropriate equipment (avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel, airbag) and clothing are essential safety factors.
• The local ski and mountain guides will take you safely to your destination and back home.
• Emergency call REGA telephone number 1414

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The equipment can be rented in the sports shops of Engelberg.

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Avalanche conditions, weather at the route's trailhead.

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Excursions and leisure tips for the region

One-day Ski Tours in Engelberg

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Is the snow on the slopes close to the piste totally tracked? Are you willing to work a little for your powder turns? With a local mountain guide you are soon on the way to the most beautiful peaks and best runs in Engelberg!

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Brisen & Haldigrat

The great mountain in the middle of Nidwalden.   Mt. Brisen is a beautiful mountain with super skiing and endless powder. This, combined with the freeride lift Haldigrat we get one of the best freeriding spots in Central Switzerland.

Secret Spots!

Secret places – Pure adventure! We were fortunate enough to grow up in this area, so we know a lot of great lines to ski. Are you willing to accept the challenge, and follow us into an unknown tour with a lot of powder?

Our Guide to Skiing Engelberg-Titlis, Switzerland

With a remarkable snow record and 2,000m of vertical, Engelberg ski resort has legendary status among skiers.

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Some places are rightly revered by skiers. Engelberg-Titlis is one such place, with legendary powder runs that induce raptures in expert visitors. But this Swiss ski resort, which, architecturally, has the look of a small town, is also a great destination for intermediates and even has plenty to offer beginners. Plus, the majestic mountain landscape rising up to 2,000m above the buildings, create an amazing, spectacular backdrop.

As a ski resort, Engelberg has always been at the cutting edge – the first chairlift in Switzerland was installed here. The ski lifts are impressive too, particularly the already legendary rotating 'Rotair' cable car/tram, which ascends to 3,020m to offer access to the Titlis glacier. At the top station there is a tunnel through the ice, with a frozen bar.

Engelberg is blessed with one of the longest ski seasons in Europe (October to May) thanks to its incredible snowfall record, and routinely tops snowfall charts during the winter, where huge, huge dumps are not uncommon - the record dump on the Titlisboden was 205cm in 72 hours, in 2019.

Engelberg also offers plenty of off-slope activities - including an excellent network of winter walking and snowshoe trails, while families will appreciate the tobogganing plus the swimming pool and ice skating rink.

Most of the 55 or so restaurants around Engelberg are hotel based and offer traditional Swiss fare cooked to a very high standard. The mountain restaurants also offer a wide range of top-class dining opportunities and you can find some great après ski bars in the village if you like to party after a long day on the pistes.

Also worth a visit are the 900-year-old Benedictine Monastery, a place of silent contemplation for centuries, and for a touch of relaxation, the Day Spa in the newly opened Kempinski Palace Engelberg, which features a spectacular rooftop pool and wellness facilities - everything you need for a post-ski wind-down.  

There is also a folk museum located centrally in the main town, which offers a fascinating look into the culture of the area. Plus, if you’d like to explore a little further afield, and experience even more Switzerland, beautiful Lake Lucerne is only about 30 minutes away by car.

Where is Engelberg?

With most of Switzerland's famous ski resorts located in the country's far west or south-eastern corners, ancient Engelberg, in the central Switzerland canton of Obwalden, stands out. This easily accessible Swiss ski resort has its own train station, and with Zürich Airport just an hour and a quarter away (or around a two-hour train journey, with just one change of train) it's ideal for everything from long ski holidays to a ski weekend mini-break.

• READ NEXT: Graham Bell Crossing Switzerland

Discover Engelberg-Titlis’ spectacular ski terrain

Engelberg skiing has something for everyone. Engelberg's ski area is large - and its 82km (51 miles) of trails span a massive, 2,000m vertical drop, putting Engelberg among the top five in Europe. The ski area is served by a network of rapid, modern ski lifts. The longest of the pistes from the Titlis glacier back down to the resort is a whopping 12km (8 miles) long.

Most of the runs that make up the Engelberg resort area are designed for intermediate skiers, but there are plenty of beginner areas dotted around the mountains too. The Brunni ski area, for example, is great for beginners, as its base station cable car serves lower altitude and mostly gentler slopes. There is a popular children's snow play area here too.

The main snowboarding attractions are on the Jochpass where a terrain park is established when the conditions are right – plus, of course, the off piste and the Titlis glacier.

If you're into cross country skiing, Engelberg has an extensive network of marked cross country trails. And if you just want to watch something spectacular, try to make sure your ski holiday in Engelberg coincides with the Ski Jumping World Cup, which takes place on the 120m Titlis hill in late December.

Unbeatable freeride with Engelberg's 'Big 5'

Engelberg's greatest lure for advanced and expert skiers is its reputation as something of an freeride paradise, and the 'Big 5' off piste ski runs – the Laub, Galtiberg, Steinberg, Sulz and Steintäli - should be on every expert skiers' bucket list. All of these epic slopes can be accessed from the lifts, so no trekking up the mountain carrying your gear is required!

Each route has a distinct character: the Steinberg, for example, offers a range of freeriding descents over undulating terrain, with one of the standout routes down being the classic 'S'. The Laub takes you through 1,200m of vertical, while the Galtiberg, at 12km, is one of the longest freeride descents in the Alps - and one of the most challenging. It's not called the King of Descents for nothing, and should not be attempted without a guide.

The final two, the Sulz and Steintäli, drop from either side of the Jochstock lift, and are also must-rides for advanced skiers looking to ski Engelberg to the max.

Perfect for a family ski getaway

Engelberg benefits from a laid-back vibe and lifestyle with a good infrastructure. It has a range of hotel options to suit a wide variety of budgets including luxury hotels and ski-in ski-out accommodation near various lifts.

It's also certified family destination with great childcare facilities. The Ski Kindergartens offered by the ski schools are available for booking from half a day to five days, with lunchtime supervision if required. The wide range of non-skiing activities include sledding and swimming, and kids will especially love riding the revolving cable car. There are perfect slopes for beginner skiers right in the village with night skiing offered as well for something a little different.

Off the slopes, your lift pass also includes entrance to the Glacier Cave and the Titlis Cliff Walk - Europe's highest suspension bridge, at 3,041m which is well worth a visit.

Kids will also enjoy letting off steam in the Trübsee snow park next to Trübsee Alpine Lodge, where they can play around on minibobs and snowtubes. Snow tubing - racing down a track on a huge rubber tyre - is sure to be an all-round hit.

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Skiing in Engelberg, Switzerland: What to Expect (+Map & Best Slopes)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: December 5, 2023

Are you considering going skiing in Engelberg, Switzerland, but are not sure what to expect? How are the slopes? Is there snow certainty? Where to stay? What else to do in Engelberg in winter? Is Engelberg good for beginners? And whether Engelbers is a good ski resort for families with kids… This article should answer all your Engelberg skiing questions!

Engelberg – near Lucerne – has been one of our two favorite places to ski in Switzerland for several years (in case you wonder, Wengen in the Jungfrau Region is the other one).

Normally, we hardly ever travel to the same place more than once, but when it comes to skiing, we love to return to familiar places. Also because we ski with kids and it’s just so much more relaxing when you know exactly what to expect…

If you have never been to Engelberg in winter and are looking to get a better idea of what skiing in Engelberg is like, then this article is for you. We share our experience, favorite pistes, and useful tips for your first ski vacation in Engelberg. Find out!

READ ALSO: Skiing in Wengen

Engelberg Ski Area

Engelberg ski area is really nice and it’s one of the reasons why we like skiing here so much. With 82 km of ski runs for all difficulty levels , it’s big enough to offer plenty of variety, but not too big that it takes you half a day to return to where you started.

You may want to know that Engelberg actually has two main ski areas – Titlis and Brunni. They also mention the Bannalp ski area but it’s not even clear to me where it’s located and it’s even smaller.

Brunni ski area is really small, more meant for beginners and families with very young kids. We have never skied there, so I can’t comment on the slopes there.

In this article, we’ll mostly focus on skiing in Titlis Area . It’s the main ski area in Engelberg where the majority of ski slopes and lifts are located. We always ski here.

Altitude & Snow Certainty

Engelberg Titlis ski area is set at an altitude between 1,050 and 3,020 meters (3,450-10,000 ft) . The majority of Engelberg ski runs are located at 1800 m (6,000 ft) altitude or higher, which means guaranteed snow pretty much during the entire winter season (December to April). On top of the glacier, at Mt Titlis, you can normally ski from October to May.

They also have lots of snow cannons (for snowmaking), but I’ve only seen them in use on the lower slopes. It’s hardly ever needed higher on the mountain, unless in the beginning or at the end of the ski season.

It’s good to have the certainty that there will actually be enough snow to ski even during a very warm winter. Especially for those among us who aren’t flexible with travel dates and have to book our ski holidays many months in advance.

Once in a while, it happens that the lower slopes between Trübsee and Engelberg are closed or aren’t in the best condition due to lack of snow. But we have never experienced snow shortage on the higher slopes.

Also, no matter how warm it is, they usually try to keep at least one of the runs to Engelberg open as well (with the help of snow canons). That way you can ski back to the village if you really want to. And if the lower slopes are closed, you just ski on the upper ones and take a gondola back to town.

If you are looking for the current situation, here you can find webcams for all the main areas in Engelberg.

The big majority of ski slopes in Engelberg ski resort are red , with just a few blue slopes and a couple of black runs. There are a few beginner slopes, but at the Titlis area, the choice is very limited (more info further below).

If you are not familiar with the Swiss ski slopes’ color system , here is what it means:

Green – The easiest ski slopes for complete beginners. They are usually very flat, often following mountain roads that are used for cars in summer. There are no green pistes in Engelberg.

Blue – Easy downhill runs for beginners who can already ski at least a little.

Red – Intermediate downhill runs. For confident advanced skiers.

Black – Difficult and very steep runs, often icy and bumpy. For expert skiers who like an extra challenge.

Yellow or orange – These are usually semi-official downhill runs that aren’t being monitored or cleaned. Only for the most experienced skiers and not to be done when the avalanche risk is high.

Purple – These slopes are for Alpine sledding. So much fun!

Skiing in Engelberg with Kids

As already said, the majority of slopes in Engelberg are red and therefore not suitable for beginners. In fact, some of those red slopes are so steep that they would be classified as black in any other country…

However, the majority of red slopes in Engelberg are also extremely wide. So wide that it doesn’t even matter how steep they are, because you can choose to take very big turns and make it as easy or as difficult for yourself as you want to.

When we took our kids skiing in Engelberg for the first time, we were a bit worried about how they’d handle the red slopes. But even at the age of 4-6 and with very little skiing experience the previous winter, they did just great.

Every year we see many young kids skiing on the blue and red pistes in Engelberg. Most ski schools come to ski at Jochpass. However, if your kids are just starting to ski for the very first time, you’ll have to let them start at the beginner ski areas Yeti or Klostermatte at the Brunni ski area in Engelberg (more info below).

Beginner Ski Areas in Engelberg

There are several places where complete beginners can start to learn to ski in Engelberg. There is also a small exercise area at Trübsee Snow Park, just next to the Trübsee cable car. However, this is a really tiny hill that is ok for the very first steps on the skis, but not more.

All the other beginner areas are down in Engelberg and so not at the Titlis ski area.

One of the best places for beginners is Yeti-Park Ristis. It’s located at the mountain restaurant Ristis in the Brunni ski area in Engelberg. Because it’s higher on the mountain, it also has the most snow certainty of all the beginner areas.

Another good place is Klostermatte , at the bottom of the Engelberg-Brunni lift. There are some beginner slopes and a kids’ area with moving carpets here. This is a great place for kids to learn to ski if there’s enough snow.

And finally, there is Gerschnialp – a small ski area that you can see from the gondola on the way to the Trübsee/ Titlis ski area. Gerschnialp can be reached by funicular from Engelberg and has several beginner slopes and anchor-lifts. They also have separate (cheaper) ski passes available. This is a good place for beginners, but it’s located lower on the mountain and so it happens that there isn’t enough snow at Gerschnialp.

Our Favorite Ski Slopes + Map

As already said, the best area for skiing in Engleberg is the Titlis ski area (see the ski map below or click here to see a full map of the entire area ).

Titlis ski area in Engelberg can be reached by gondola from Engelberg town. You can either exit at Trübsee and connect to the Jochpass ski area, or stay on the gondola till Stand, and ski between Stand and Trübsee.

It’s also possible to ski at Mt Titlis itself, but since Mt Titlis Rotair cable car is always busy with day tourists, we never took our skis up to Mt Titlis.

Here is the map of the Titlis ski area and below you can read more about the best ski slopes in Engelberg. Read on!

Our absolute favorite area to ski in Engelberg is Jochpass , where you can find a big variety of blue and red runs. There is now a very modern 6-person chairlift at the blue runs here and this area has become more popular with ski schools than ever before.

The blue pistes #12 and #13 from Jochpass to Engstlenalp are perfect for beginners who are confident on the skis but don’t feel confident enough for the red runs yet. Our kids love these slopes.

Red runs #8 and #10 are challenging and fun for advanced skiers. At the same time, they are also wide enough to be manageable for intermediate skiers and families with children.

Our kids’ favorite is the ‘speed line’ next to slope #8. It’s a small separate section with a speed camera where you can see how fast you’re going. Our day of skiing in Engelberg isn’t complete if they haven’t done this run at least once.

From Jochpass, via Alpstübli, you can also ski all the way down to Engelberg via slopes #5 or #6 . #5 is a less steep blue run; #6 is a somewhat steeper red run. If there isn’t enough snow, some parts of the blue #5 run get closed, but it rarely happens that they close both pistes. This is the most popular run for those who stop skiing for the day and want to head back to Engelberg. It’s very nice and quiet here during the day but can get really busy in the afternoon.

Another really nice place to ski is the Stand area , just above Trübsee. There are some excellent red slopes here (several variations of piste #2) and there are also a few really steep black runs.

All the pistes here are also very wide and I really like to ski here. It’s challenging and fun, but without being too difficult. Most of the time, it’s also very quiet at Stand and you can have the slopes all to yourself.

However, our kids find most of these runs a bit too steep and they prefer the Jochpass area. But if it wasn’t for the kids, I think I’d be skiing here most of the time.

Cross-country Skiing

There are several nice pistes for cross-country skiing in Engelberg as well. Since most of them are located lower on the mountain, however, it sometimes happens that some of them aren’t open.

The last time we were in Engelberg, I saw people cross-country skiing at Trübsee Lake. But that run isn’t indicated as an official cross-country piste on the map.

On the website of Engelberg tourism , you can find up-to-date information on all the cross-country skiing tracks in Engelberg.

Other Winter Activities in Engelberg

In addition to skiing, there are quite a few more things that you can do in Engelberg in winter.

At Trübsee mountain station, you’ll also find a snow park where you can go sledding . It’s included in your ski pass and you can spend as much time here as you like. Our kids come here every day after skiing – it’s their apres-ski. In the past, snow tubing was available here, but now they are using that part of the slope for beginner skiers.

There are also other winter activities at Trübsee, such as snowmobiling and also zip-lining , available for an additional fee. There is also a small ice skating rink , located near Berghotel Trübsee.

There are also several Alpine sledding runs in Engelberg. One between Brunni and Ristis (1,9km), one at Fürenalp (1km), and also from Gerschnialp to Engelberg (3,4km).

Winter hiking and snowshoeing are also popular winter activities.

Mount Titlis is one of the most popular day trips from Lucerne and also from Zurich, so it attracts lots of day tourists. And also skiers who are staying in Engelberg town have to get on the mountain first thing in the morning. So the gondolas from Engelberg can get really busy in the morning, especially around 9.30-10 AM.

But as far as skiing goes, once everyone spreads out in various ski areas, it never feels crowded here. It rarely happens that we have to wait for a ski lift for longer than 5 minutes, anywhere in Engelberg. Most of the time, you can just ski right to the chairlifts.

This is not the case at all the lifts and all the time, but it’s so easy to find an alternative ski slope or another lift if one particular run becomes too busy for whatever reason.

We always ski in Engelberg during the high season when many European countries have school holidays and we find skiing in Engelberg really pleasant and not too busy. If you come skiing here outside those periods, it will be completely quiet. A dream resort to ski!

Facilities at the Engelberg ski area are generally very good.

Gondolas and chairlifts are modern and they are constantly upgrading and renewing everything. The latest addition is the 6-person chairlift between Engstlenalp and Jochpass is so comfortable that you won’t want to get out. And it has heated seats. Other chairlifts aren’t that luxurious, but really nothing to complain about.

There are lots of restaurants scattered all around the ski area. From self-service restaurants to fine a-la-carte dining and several bars, there’s plenty of choice for everyone. There are also free bathroom facilities at all the main gondola stations and restaurants.

Skipass Price

Good to know: In the winter season, Titlis ski area is operating on a dynamic pricing model. The earlier you book your ski pass, the cheaper it is (even cheaper than the rates of the previous years). However, if you book last minute or on the day itself, you pay much more. The prices are also a bit higher on the weekends and public holidays, etc.

As a very rough indication, a ski pass for 5 days costs about 260 CHF for adults and 104 CHF for kids, but you can only know for sure when you book. Children under 6 ski free of charge. Here you can find up-to-date information and pricing .

Engelberg ski pass price is very comparable to that of the other bigger ski resorts in Switzerland. There is one big difference though. Your Engelberg ski pass includes the Mt Titlis cable car and the Ice Flyer (which costs over 100 CHF if bought separately). So take advantage of it and make sure to visit Mt Titlis when skiing in Engelberg!

LEARN MORE: Why and How to Visit Mt Titlis

Where to Stay

There are many hotels and other accommodation options in Engelberg .

If you are planning to ski at the Brunni/ Klostermatte ski area , Hotel Hahnenblick is located closest to the ski lifts there. Berglodge Ristis is located on the mountain itself, directly on the slopes, and can only be reached by cable car. It’s more of a budget accommodation with just a few rooms that have private bathrooms; the rest of the rooms have shared bathroom facilities. Customer reviews are great though and it’s a really nice choice if you want to ski in the Brunni area.

If you are planning to ski at the Titlis ski area , Hotel Cathrin has a great location very close to the ski lifts. It’s a good-value 3-star hotel with excellent reviews.

Other hotels within a short walking distance of Titlis gondola are H+ Hotel Sonnwendhof Engelberg , Hotel Espen , and Ski Lodge Engelberg .

TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels, apartments, and short-term rental accommodations in Engelberg . Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay. This map compares all the most popular lodging websites and shows the one with the best price for each accommodation. Check it out!

Where we stay: If you are looking for a hotel on the slopes, we recommend Berghotel Trübsee . However, keep in mind that it’s located on the mountain and can only be reached by gondola (that stops running at 4.30 PM). We love staying here, but if you are looking for après – ski and want to have more flexibility, then you are better off staying in Engelberg town.

LEARN MORE: Berghotel Trübsee Review

So, this is our guide for skiing in Engelberg. Planning a winter vacation in Engelberg and have a question? Leave a reply below!

READ ALSO: Jungfraujoch or Mt Titlis – Which is Better?

More tips for your trip to Switzerland:

• Top Sights & Things to Do in Lucerne
• Best Things to Do in Zermatt
• Jungfrau Region in Winter
• Visit Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
• Skiing in Switzerland on a Budget
• Interlaken Day Trip
• Things to Do in Geneva
• Hiking in Engelberg
• Oeschinen Lake & Hike  (our favorite hike in Switzerland)
• Things to Do in Grindelwald-First
• Hiking at Schynige Platte

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Monday 11th of March 2024

Thank you for this comprehensive article. It is the best I have found on Engleberg I do have one question about ski storage. We plan on renting equipment and skiing for several days. Are there lockers at the gondola station to store your equipment, or small ones for boots. Or did you carry your equipment and walk in your ski boots from your hotel. I have searched the internet and can not seem to find an answer to this question. Thanks.

Tuesday 12th of March 2024

@Jurga, this was very helpful!! Thank you for the quick response.

Hi Alissa, there are definitely some lockers at the bottom gondola station, but I'm not sure how many or how big and what they cost. Most people arrive with ski equipment already on. If you stay in Engelberg town, you can take a shuttle bus to the gondola and everyone is wearing their ski boots and carrying skis on those buses. All hotels normally have ski rooms where you can dry your boots and leave your skis at night. As for us, we always stay on the mountain - at Trübsee Lodge - so we always just ski in and out directly from the hotel. Hope this helps.

Monday 4th of March 2024

Wonderful tips & great article. Thank you for sharing. My son is planning on travelling from New Zealand to Europe. Unfortunately he won’t arrive in Switzerland until the 10th of May. Will there still be enough snow to go skiing and is it worth going to Lucerne that time of the year? I have been unable to find places that have equipment for rent in May…

Hi Maria, the ski season in Switzerland typically lasts until Easter. Depending on snow conditions, some places higher in the mountains might stay open a few weeks later, but by mid-May skiing is only possible on some glaciers, e.g. at Klein Matterhorn in Zermatt. As for cities like Lucerne, yes, of course, it's worth visiting and May could be very nice.

Monday 15th of January 2024

Thank you so much! I loved your insights and following along with the map. We’ll be heading to Geneva for 15 days and plan to drive around. Adding Engleberg to our list thanks to you!

Tuesday 16th of January 2024

Glad to help, Jules. Enjoy your trip!

Sunday 12th of March 2023

hello Jurga, Wanted to thank you forsome great info on your blog. We are planning to travel in 1st week of May 2023 and hope to ski for a day at Engelber - Mt Titlis. Have two questions: 1. What is the best place for ski rentals? The shops you have mentioned are not operational in May but I am able to book ski tiks on May 6th. That is creating confusion. 2. What time the ski slopes open in the morning?

Hi Sonin, the majority of the ski slopes in Engelberg close mid-April because there's usually not enough snow in the spring. From what I see, they are planning to keep some slopes at the very top open until May 7 this year. The way it looks now, the only slopes that will be open are the Glacier on Mt Titlis and the slopes between Stand and Trübsee. You can find the official info here. The first lifts from Engelberg usually start at around 8.30 am. For ski rentals, you'll have to see what's (if anything) is still open in that season. I really have no time do this research for you, so you may have to contact the shops individually. I'd think that Intersport at the bottom gondola station should be open, but I have no idea if they still rent skis in May. It's quite likely that ski rentals close when the main ski season is over since there is probably very little demand for ski hire as most people coming to ski at that time of the year are likely die-hard locals. :) Good luck.

Sunday 10th of October 2021

Hi Jurga! Great information, thank you. We are thinking of visiting Engelberg to ski for the day from Lucerne. What is the best place to travel to from Lucern to ski for the day? Thanks!

Monday 11th of October 2021

Hi Wes, Engleberg is indeed a very nice place to go skiing and one of the best and biggest ski resorts close to Lucerne. You can also easily get there by train - another plus point. The only issue is that it takes some time to get there. If you go to Engelberg by train, there's some walking involved from the train station to the Mt Titlis gondola, but they usually also have free shuttle buses to bring you there in the winter. I'd say try to go as early as you can so that you can start skiing early in the morning already and make the most of your day. And get the advantage of your ticket and visit Mt Titlis at the same time! Once you get to the ski pistes in Engelberg, it's a great place to ski and it's quite high, so you have snow certainty. Just keep in mind that the Mt Titlis ski area in Engelberg isn't the best for complete beginners, so also consider that when deciding where to go. Another popular place to visit just near Lucerne is Mt Pilatus, but I think they only have sledding there in winter, no skiing. So yes, if you are looking for a nice place to go skiing near Lucerne, Engelberg is probably as good as it gets. PS There are several places where you can rent skis - the ones at the bottom are cheaper, but there's also one Intersport ski rental shop at Trübsee, which might be easier if you don't want to carry skis with you. No matter which one you choose, be sure to contact them and reserve your ski equipment in advance. Prepare to pay premium prices as well. Here you can see which shops are available, but renting online is often quite a lot cheaper. We usually take our skis from home, but once we rented them from Stöckli in Engelberg. It was about half the price via some intermediary website (can't remember the name now - we just googled it) than directly with them. So do some research if you need to rent ski equipment. Have a great time!

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Current road reports, accessibility of pass roads, first-hand information about pass regions.

Webcam Andermatt

ski touring

In the Andermatt Holiday Region, there are diverse ski tours to choose from, just waiting to be discovered.

Ski Mountains, wherever you look

The Ursern Valley is the largest valley in Uri and brings with it a unique history thanks to its unique location between Graubünden (Oberalp Pass), Ticino (Gotthard Pass) and Valais (Furka Pass).

Skitourismus hatte hier schon früh Tradition und bietet durch die herrliche Lage inmitten der Alpen fast unbegrenzte Möglichkeiten. So entstand das attraktive Skigebiet am Gemsstock und Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis wurde zum Wintersportmekka. 

Ski tourism became a tradition very early on and offers almost unlimited possibilities due to the stunning location in the middle of the Alps. This is how the attractive ski area on Gemsstock developed and Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis became a winter sports mecca.

At the beginning of the long Witenwasser valley, you step onto the  Stotzigen Firsten - on of the classics in the Gotthard region.

The Rossbodenstock attracts with its summit flank and offers interesting, partly racy ski runs. It is usually combined with the ascent of the Pazolastock. However, the mountain lies on the edge of a wildlife rest zone, which must be taken into account when choosing a route.

Further north of the Rossbodenstock is the pleasant Badus , inconspicuous but very beautiful. Piz Badus offers extremely attractive, medium-steep downhill slopes and a great view of the surrounding peaks.

If you prefer a more leisurely pace, the  Chli Bielenhorn is the place for you. A small but fine, frequently visited skiing and snowshoeing destination surrounded by rugged granite peaks and steep glacier.

The Pizzo Lucendro , inconspicuous at first glance, nevertheless amazes its visitors at altitude. The view of the Rotondo area and the descent through the remote Witenwasser valley prove it right.

Pizzo Centrale marks the border between the cantons of Uri, Ticino and Grisons. The highest peak is only seventy centimetres short of the magical three-thousand-metre mark. The view is nevertheless overwhelming.

Even from a distance, you can see that the Tiefenstock is not easy to climb. But with alpine experience and perseverance, you will be blessed with a summit that you will cherish for a long time to come.

If the trained eye of a ski tourer wanders around the Ursern valley, he will not be able to escape the Galenstock area. The closely spaced peaks around the Albert Heim hut are too striking and imposing.

Göscheneralp

Tracks over glaciers and rocks.

Where once the original village of the Göscheneralp had to give way to a reservoir, there are countless skiing and climbing mountains.

The Göscheneralp valley stretches from the village of Göschenen via the fork of the Voralp valley to Chelenalp, situated behind the dam. The more the valley extends towards the Winterberge, the striking end formed by the Dammastock, Schneestock and Eggstock, the greater the variety of rewarding ski peaks.

To the right of the reservoir, several peaks form a chain that only allows a connection to the other side via the Lochberg. This beautifully shaped ski peak in a class of its own offers everything a ski tourer's heart desires: a wide and steep firn slope and a breathtaking view.

Those who tackle the long and sometimes arduous climbs of the Rorspitzlis from the Göscheneralp are rewarded with the extremely tempting and steep descents into the Meiental on the opposite side.

The most rewarding and at the same time best-known ski tour is probably to the Sustenhorn. The ascent from Voralp or Chelenalp is probably the most fitting way to encounter this giant of Uri. Once you have reached the summit cross, you will consider yourself lucky to be able to leave your mark in the unique high-alpine environment of glacier and rock.

In winter, when the road is closed to official traffic, the Geissenparadies taxi takes guests safely to the Göscheneralp or to Göschenen by snowmobile or sledge.

Uri's divide of snow crystals

As you drive up the Sustenpass road from Wassen into the Meiental, an area opens up that considered a true treasure trove of ski mountains. Isolated and not reachable by cable car, all ascents start in Färnigen. One only hast to decide between the richly structured south side and the mighty north side.

On the more or less sunny south side there are several worthwhile summits to achieve. On the opposite north side, not only are the peaks higher, but the climbs are also considerably longer and more strenuous.

The Grassen offers a breathtaking view of the Titlis south face and the Engelberg valley below. The descent to Engelberg enjoys an exceptional reputation among ski tourers.

One of the best-known and most visited peaks is the Bächenstock . The path leads up through magnificent snowy landscapes and the summit glacier, and you can already see what a great descent lies ahead.

One of the most impressive peaks is Gross Spannort , where alpine equipment and experience are an advantage when ascending.

The majestic  Stucklistock the majestic Stucklistock already presents itself in all its glory from the valley, but anyone who has ever stood on the stubby glacier during the ascent knows that its beauty has been vastly underestimated. The highest demands are met on the stepless descent, but you should be able to control your skis and find your way around the alpine environment.

Snow Touring Bus

 The  «Snow Touring Bus» is a transport service for ski tourers and snowshoers. With the regional offers, the public transport network is supplemented in places and extended to areas that were previously not accessible for public transport in winter.

In the Andermatt Holiday Region, the snow touring bus can be booked on the Andermatt-Färnigen route.

Book a seat

Urner haute route.

The historic ski tour between Andermatt and Engelberg spreads out in winter through a particularly wild and untouched region. A touch of adventurous spirit surrounds the grandiose stages from hut to hut. Summit tours from Gemsstock to Lochberg, Sustenhorn, Uratstock, Grassen, followed by a dream descent to Engelberg.  

This impressive route through the Alps of Central Switzerland used to be one of the great Alpine crossings. It offers around 5500 metres of ascent and descent and can be completed in four to five days.

The route is not marked. Optimal preparation and accompaniment by a mountain guide is highly recommended.

important information

• The Swiss Topo  map contains important information about the appropriate gradients of any ski tour.
• The Wildlife Rest Zones (Wildruhezonen) must always be observed.
• Information about the current avalanche situation should be reviewed.
• On every tour emergency equipment, comprising of LVS, probe, shovel, ideally complimented by avalanche air-bags, should be present.

Granath Mountain Guiding is a small guide company run by Tobias Granath. Tobias is a IFMGA/UIAGM/IVBV certified mountain guide based in Engelberg, Switzerland. He’s passionated mountaineer with more than twenty years of experience from skiing and climbing in the Alps.

We offer a wide range of guiding – from rock climbing to skiing. Have a look at what is currently available in the services, or just browse around to get inspired for your next trip.

Please contact us if your’e interested in any of our offers, or have a dream you need help to visualize.

Browse through some of my current guidings below. Or view a complete listing under Services.

The summer season is soon over but its already possible to make a reservation for next summer season . 

• Svalbard Ski & Sail Expedition Longyearbyen Book
• Urner Haute Route Andermatt - Engelberg Book
• Engelberg Backcountry skiing Engelberg Book
• Custom courses & personal guiding Alps & Scandinavia Book

Aug 29 / 2022

Last week we had five amazing days in the Urner Alps. Urner Haute Route, the summer adventure trek! As the name suggest, the trek contains various adventures such as Via Ferrata, glacier travel and wild alpine paths. As the winter ski-tour Urner Haute Route ,we sleep in Swiss alpine huts. The difference is that we […]

May 07 / 2021

Just got back from some adventurous days into the wild – the wild corner of Jungfrau region. This amazing place is for those who want to explore the wild part of the Jungfrau region. You need the level – a good portion of ski-touring experience and stamina! This ski-adventure starts from Jungfraujoch and going east […]

Nov 22 / 2017

The winter is knocking on the door and before I go all-in to winter mode I want to share little bit of my summer alpine climbing season. It was truly amazing. Normally I start my summer season in late May or early June but this summer I was late! In fact I didn’t start until beginning of […]

May 24 / 2017

Beginning of April I had the fortune to guide Urner Haute Route aka Skiers Haute Route. The ski tour starts in Realp/Andermatt and ends in the Engelberg valley after five days of ski touring spending four nights in comfortable mountain huts. This ski tour is for sure one of my favourite ski tours in this part of central […]

Big thanks Tobias Granath for these two days in Engelberg. Very impressed by both your skillfulness and patience.

Thanks for the free ride on Sunday, it was excellent fun and a great experience. We had a nice group too with Ebbe and Matt. I look forward to many more days at Engelberg with you and the team in the future.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE CLASSIC SKI-TOUR HAUTE ROUTE BETWEEN CHAMONIX AND ZERMATT?

The traverse between Chamonix and Zermatt is a long ski-tour at high altitude so very good fitness is required for this ski-tour. You also need to be able to ski in different snow conditions and steep slopes. Previous experience of ski-touring is required. We ski in small groups. The reason of keeping the group small is to increase security on steeper ground.

WHICH PERIOD OF THE YEAR IS THE BEST TO GO ICE CLIMBING?

We need cold temperatures for a while to get frozen ice. From beginning of December it can be possible to go ice-climbing. The season for waterfall ice-climbing is short. In end of January it can be over. The alpine ice is often in good shape from Oktober to beginning of June.

THE 10 BEST Engelberg Tours & Excursions

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich

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4. Mt Titlis Glacier Paradise Tour from Zurich With Lucerne

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Haute Route Andermatt to Engelberg

Enjoy the long runs of the Haute Route from Andermatt to Engelberg on this fantastic skiing adventure in the Alps, along with E-S Adventure Guides.

Jan - Mar, Dec

Intermediate

* Explore the amazing Haute Route on a unique week-long adventure.

* Discover amazing views and skiing opportunities.

* Join a certified guide to the best spots from Andermatt to Engelberg.

Description

On this 1-week ski touring program, we will have the chance to enjoy the traditional Haute Route from Andermatt to Engelberg on skis.  This is a tour that I normally do from mid/late March to mid/late April. It is a pleasant time in the Alps with lots of snow and it’s mostly cold over 3000 meters but at the same time sunny. We have the opportunity to experience a nice combination of cold and fine spring snow.

You need to be fit as it is an intense week with many meters that will be traveled every day. It’s required that you have off-piste and ski touring experience. If you have no experience or if you are not sure about your ability to join, please feel free to get in touch with me, and let’s discuss it.

You’ll find below the program I usually propose. It might be adapted based on the snow and weather conditions before departure.

Please contact me if you are interested in this great adventure, or any other you would like to do in the Alps or elsewhere.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

Price details

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

- Lunches and drinks

- Personal ski equipment

- Travel to / from Andermatt.

- All transportation throughout the week starting in and return to Andermatt.

- Lift ticket on the preparation day in Andermatt.

- Hotel with breakfast before and after the week

- Compulsory insurance that covers mountain rescue.

The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).

Day 1 : Preparation day in Andermatt

We will do a short ski tour to test the equipment to ensure that everything fits and works. We will prepare and plan our lunches for the tour – possibly lightening up your backpack, etc. We will sleep at the hotel in Andermatt.

Day 2 : Realp (1 540m) - Albert Heim Hütte (2 543m)

The first day of the tour starts with a train ride to Realp, located just beyond Andermatt. We will eat a hearty lunch before putting on skins and walking towards Albert Heim hut … If we have energy left, we can continue towards Galenstock and enjoy some nice rides. Otherwise, we can also sit on the terrace and enjoy the awesome view for the rest of the day.

Day 3 : Albert Heim Hütte (2543m) - Chelenaalphütte (2350m)

The day starts early. Breakfast is served in the dining room. We will walk about 500 meters up until we get to Winterlücke. There, we will go down directly to Göcheneralpsee.  Or, we can also go through Lochberg depending on the weather. We then continue to Chelenaalptal towards the hut.

Day 4 : Chelenaalphütte (2350m) - Steingletcher (1 865m)

We start directly with the skins on and go to Sustenlimi which is about 700 meters up. There, we can choose whether we want to continue moving towards the top of Sustenhorn, 3500 m or just go down directly to Steigletcher where we will find our accommodation at the bottom of the valley. 1700 meters of altitude difference from the top of Sustenhorn … who can refuse that?

Day 5 : Steingletcher (1 865m) - Süstlihütte (2 257m)

We will move towards Fünffingerstock and pass through the Obertaljoch pass (about 2 850m). We then have several choices to go down to Sustlibach. A great ride… nice views and hopefully good snow … last bit up towards Süstlihüttan. We can then enjoy some well-deserved drinks.

Day 6 : Süstlihütte (2 257m) - Engelberg (1 000m)

The last day begins skinning up to Grassengrat / Stössensattel – a climb of around 600m. It’s perhaps the week’s best ride, an entire 1800 meters downhill. We will pass the Grassen bivouac (very beautiful) just below the mighty southeast wall of the Titlis. Once down in the valley, we take the local bus back to Engelberg.

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

About the guide

E-S Adventure Guides

Mountain Guide

Gauthier and his team of IFMGA/UIMLA-certified mountain guides & leaders and rock climbing instructors (Anabelle, Andrea, Andrej, Claire, Christophe, Daniel, Elis, Enrico, Etienne, François, Guillaume, Ivan, Jessy, Julia, Mathis, Mitja, Olivier, and Robin) are some of the top outdoor adventure professionals in Europe.

Whether you wish to climb some of the best mountains in the Alps or go on an exciting bouldering adventure in Fontainbleau, among other amazing options, they will be able to show you the top spots and the ropes to ensure you have an unforgettable and safe adventure.

Gauthier will be your main point of contact during the booking process and will be able to help you with all the questions you have in order to make sure you receive the best possible guiding service.

Pick one of the programs featured for E-S Adventure Guides and start planning an awe-inspiring experience in the mountains!

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Certificates

UIMLA | UIAGM | IFMGA

What people are saying about E-S Adventure Guides

We got a guide for backcountry skiing in Chamonix. The guide was excellent in fulfilling our wishes even though the viability was poor and snow layer thin. Our goals was to in a quiet nature area with not too many people. We ended up with 1000 meter gain and a ski through the forest over a 6 hour period. I was one of my best ski experiences.

Super expérience, merci à Etienne et au temps qui était au rdv!

Good communication and scheduling (including working around some tricky weather). Our guide was great. Would use again. Thanks!

My kids had a fantastic experience and would do it again in a heartbeat. Their guide was amazing and truly loves and loves climbing. HIGHLY recommend him and the company!!! 😎

We had an amazing experience with Leo. Not only did he take us to a great bouldering location, but he really helped with technique to use for our future climbs. He was able to accommodate harder climbs for my husband while making sure I was still able to climb as a beginner. It was also extra special climbing with a local. Would recommend!

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