Brunegg and Bishorn | High altitude ski tour at over 4000 metres

• Venue & meeting point

  • Meeting point: St-Luc, Bella Tola, 9.35, to coincide with the bus connection.
  • Conclusion: Early afternoon in Zinal
  • Overnight stay: Turtmannhütte and Cabane de Tracuit

• Detailed programme

  Day 1: St. Luc / Bella Tola - Turtmann Hut

  This alternative approach to the Turtmann Hut is somewhat unconventional compared to the classic route through the Turtmann Valley, but it has the advantage that you can make great descents on the first day and end up back in the same valley. With a ski lift we effortlessly reach the Bella Tola (3026 m) in the St. Luc-Chandolin ski area. From there our route leads over the Borterpass and the Meidtälli, where we cross the language border again and finally reach the Turtmanntal. We cross this above the valley floor in a southerly direction and climb past the Turtmannsee to the Turtmannhütte.

  Day 2: Turtmannhütte - Brunegghorn - Cabane de Tracuit

  From the Turtmannhütte we traverse almost level in a south-easterly direction through the so-called "Wanne" to the steep Gässi, a couloir that allows us to ascend to the Brunegg Glacier. On the glacier and past crevasse zones, we reach the winter summit of the Brunegghorn. The descent follows the Brunegg Glacier, but this time in a westerly direction, passing below the Adlerflüe. A beautiful descent awaits us as far as the confluence of the Brunegg and Turtmann glaciers at an altitude of around 2800 metres. From here we head uphill again towards the Tracuit hut.

  Day 3: Cabane de Tracuit - Bishorn - Zinal

  This day offers a classic ski tour with an impressively long descent. From the hut, the route leads eastwards over the initially flat Turtmann Glacier and the plateau. The ascent takes us through terrain of varying steepness. Experience shows that the summit is often blown off and icy hard. When this is the case, we change crampons and climb the last few metres to the summit of the Bishorn on foot. The descent to the hut follows the same route as the ascent. However, the route leads down over the Col de Tracuit into the Torrent du Barmé basin. After a short ascent, we descend through forests and along narrow paths to the valley, where we follow the course of the Navisence to Zinal.

   

• Requirements

  • Mastering the ski touring technique with its basics (skins, hairpin turns).
  • Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow.
  • You have first experience with ice axe and crampons.
  • Fitness for ski tours with around 1000 metres per day (day 2 around 1400 metres) at a normal pace (~300-350 metres/h).
  • In addition, there are sections where we carry the skis and trudge through the snow.
  • Splitboarders are welcome, provided they are experienced.

• Group size

  • Takes place with 4 - 6 guests per mountain guide.

• Price and services

  • Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
  • Including accommodation costs and half board
  • Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.

• Material and equipment

  • We have for you a detailed packing list with packing tips compiled.
  • For this tour you need the following material from this PDF. We carry our equipment with us all the time. Pack only what is necessary.

That's what our guests say:

Impressions: Brunegg and Bishorn