The Tour du Soleil or the Ticino Haute Route: a hidden ski-touring mecca between Ticino and Valais, Switzerland’s sunniest region, with sunny ascents and north-facing descents!
The area between Ticino and Valais – that is, between the Bedretto Valley and the Binna Valley (or Goms) – is a magnificent ski-touring area. It is secluded and remote. It takes several days to cross it, and it offers varied terrain with small gullies, glaciers and plenty of alternative routes! A hidden gem for ski tourers. We’ll visit the best spots and spend four fantastic days ski touring together. We’ll start in the Binntal and finish the tour in Goms, in the Valais, so that we can make the most of the terrain by ascending on the south-facing side and descending on the north-facing side! An absolute highlight will be the queen stage on the third day up to the Blinnenhorn (3,374 metres above sea level), followed by a long powder descent across the Gries Glacier.
Procedure and meeting place
Area: Valais - Ticino, from Binntal to Goms on the border between Switzerland and Italy
Overnight stay: Binntalhütte, Rifugio Claudio e Bruno and Capanna Corno Gries
Meeting place
9.55 am, Fiesch railway station
We’ll meet at 9.55 am at Fiesch railway station and then take a taxi together to Fäld in the Binntal valley.
If you’re travelling by car, it’s best to park it straight away at the railway station in Fiesch.
Day 1
750 metres altitude
WS
3.5 hours
Once we arrive in Fäld, we get ready to tackle the first ascent. To begin with, we follow the course of the Binna river into the valley. The path leads gently but steadily uphill. After passing through sparse larch forests, the secluded valley opens out and, at the foot of the Albrun Pass, we spend the night at 2,265 metres above sea level in the Binntalhütte, a self-catering hut that is well-stocked with duvets and drinks. We’ll spend a cosy evening lighting the wood-burning stove, whilst our mountain guide takes care of dinner and breakfast.
Day 2
1000 Hm
530 metres of elevation gain
WS+ to ZS-
4 - 5 h
From the Binntalhütte, we climb up to the Albrun Pass, where we cross the border into Italy. The terrain now levels out slightly before becoming steeper as we head across the Hohsand Glacier towards the striking summit of the Ofenhorn. The final few metres to the summit cross offer a magnificent panorama stretching from the Matterhorn to the Bernese Alps. The descent takes us across the upper part of the glacier and then down through fantastic terrain dotted with couloirs to the Rifugio Claudio e Bruno. Here we enjoy the evening in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere and look forward to the highlight of the trip the following day.
Day 3
800 metres altitude
1100 metres altitude
ZS-
5 - 6 h
Early in the morning, we set off on the tour’s highlight stage. We climb across the vast Gries Glacier up to the Blinnenhorn, which lies at 3,374 metres above sea level. From the summit, the entire Alpine range lies at our feet. But the absolute highlight is yet to come: the ultra-long, mostly north-facing powder snow descent across the imposing Gries Glacier. Once we reach the Gries Pass, we put our skins back on and, after a short climb, reach the Capanna Corno Gries, which is also known as the ‘Alpine Spaceship’ due to its architectural design and, of course, offers a spectacular view of the starry sky. We are now on Ticino soil in the Bedretto Valley. We receive a warm welcome at the mountain hut, which serves meals, and enjoy our final evening.
Day 4
approx. 500–700 metres of elevation gain
1400 metres altitude
ZS-
4–5 hours
On the final day, too, we make the most of our expeditions. After breakfast, we set off on a short ascent towards the Nufenen Pass region. We continue through a small couloir on Pizzo Gallina and, from there, choose one of the many routes – featuring small gullies and long, north-facing descents – back down into the Goms valley.
Conclusion
around 3.00 pm, Reckingen VS railway station
We’ll wrap up the tour together in Goms at around 3.00 pm, with lots of new experiences and memories, and look back on four fantastic days.
Requirements
Mastering the ski touring technique with its basics (skins, hairpin turns).
Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow.
Stamina for ski tours of around 1000 metres per day at a leisurely pace (~300m/h).
Splitboarders are welcome.
Price and services
CHF 1190.-
Small group with 4 - 6 guests per mountain guide.
Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
Including overnight stays in huts with half board.
Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.
Material and equipment
For this tour you need the material from this PDF. We carry our equipment with us the whole time. Only pack the essentials.
Bergschaft tours and courses are conducted in German as standard. However, our mountain guides speak good English, as do many of the participants. If you speak English, you are of course very welcome. Depending on the tour, it may be worth asking us in advance whether the guide and the group are comfortable speaking English.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably via the Contact form.
Accommodation
Binntal Hut
The Binntalhütte is situated at 2,265 metres above sea level on the right bank of the Rhône in Valais, at the foot of the Albrun Pass. A historic route leads over the pass from Switzerland to Italy. The Binntal is a regional nature park of national importance, a paradise for walkers and ski tourers. The area is also renowned for its exceptional abundance of crystals.
The Binntalhütte was lovingly renovated in 2018, whilst retaining its simple, traditional character. The hut is staffed during the summer. In winter, however, it is unstaffed but remains open to guests who wish to enjoy the facilities in the secluded, snow-covered mountains.
The Italian mountain hut, Rifugio Claudio e Bruno, is situated at 2,710 metres above sea level in the Upper Formazza Valley, between the Nufenen Pass and the Binntal. The hut is staffed in both summer and winter. There is a large dining room on the ground floor, whilst the bedrooms and shared bathroom are on the upper floor. From the hut, you can enjoy wonderful views of Lake Sabbioni.
The Capanna Corno Gries is situated at 2,338 metres above sea level in Val Corno, which forms part of Ticino and stretches from the hut to the Passo del Corno. The impressive landscape, featuring the idyllic Lake Griessee nestled between the glaciers, is also of great geological interest due to the garnet inclusions in the slate rock. Owing to its architectural design, the Capanna Corno Gries – which was renovated in 2007 – is also known as the ‘Alpine Spaceship’. In the dining room, guests can enjoy a 360° panoramic view directly out onto the wild mountain landscape. It is staffed from June to October and from March to April, but remains accessible to a small number of guests even during the unstaffed periods.
A very beautiful tour with easy stages and varied transitions. The Blinnenhorn was a particular highlight. All in all, a successful tour with beautiful scenery and a highly recommended route. The huts were also highly recommended and made the tour even more enjoyable.
Mark Hunsch
Rahel is an outstanding Mountain Guide that takes great care in integrating the group, binding it into a strong team. Her mountain skills and deep concern for safety are exemplary. She is a pleasure to be with as we enjoy the splendors of the Alps. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Andy Frey
Great tour - great group - great guide - gladly again!
Erich Wälchli
A very scenic tour. Thanks to great mountain guides (Jonas and Clint) and equally great guests, it was an unforgettable experience.
The Tour du Soleil is a ski crossing from Ticino to Valais, Switzerland's sunniest region (Soleil = sun, French). It leads over small glaciers and you walk from hut to hut. The tour runs along the Swiss-Italian border.
How difficult is the Tour du Soleil?
The Tour du Soleil is a medium-difficulty ski tour with easy glaciers and exciting transitions. The difficulty is ZS ski tours with around 1000-1200 metres each.
Where exactly does the Tour du Soleil pass through?
Day: The tour typically starts in Ticino, in All'Acqua. The first day leads to Capanna Corno Gries.
Day 2: The second day leads to the Blinnenhorn and from there to the Rifugio Maria Luisa in Italy.
Day 2: continue to the prominent Ofenhorn and from there towards the Binntal. Either to the Binntalhütte or the Mittlenberghütte.
As a finale, a few great ski tour peaks await before finally descending into the Binntal.
Next highlights
Coaching Course on Fear of Heights | Greater Safety on Exposed Terrain
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