800 - 1200 metres altitude
Ski touring trip Balkans | Albania with Mount Korab
Into the wild heart of Europe, into regions that are hardly developed for tourism. We experience a journey through three countries, two mountain ranges with impressive stories.
Technics
Endurance
Albania
Highlights
The last adventure in Europe: far away from the Alpine mainstream - and close to unspoilt nature: our ski touring trip takes us to two of the wildest mountain regions in Europe. Here, where ski tourers are still exotic, we make our tracks in wild snowy landscapes. In the first half of the week, we explore the ruggedly romantic Lëpushëwhile in the second half the Korab massif waiting to be discovered.
Ski touring trip
Our journey begins in Lëpushë, a little-known mountain region between Albania and Montenegro. Here, the original dominates: small villages with rugged charm - and plenty of space for our tracks. The starting point is a charming and perfectly situated sub-confederation, from where we discover new tour destinations every day between wide cirques, windless ridges and wide slopes.
In the second half, we delve deeper into the Balkan wilderness. We move into the border region between Albania and North Macedonia - to the Mount Korabat 2764 metres, the highest peak in both countries. Here it gets even lonelier, more alpine - and more impressive. The snow conditions are often ideal for long firn descents through unspoilt valleys. Bear and wolf tracks are also not uncommon here.
The highlights of this week are:
- Daily ski tours in great snow
- Absolute silence and hardly any other traces
- Summit views across entire countries
- Conversations with curious locals
- Accommodation in simple guesthouses with a lot of heart
- Pure wilderness feeling
- Ski tours as they used to be
Culture, contrast, cuisine
This journey inspires with more than metres in altitude. The Balkans are characterised by old conflicts - and new openness. We meet people who once had to flee and now welcome guests. We listen to stories, drink homemade raki and eat freshly baked bread from the clay oven. And every evening it becomes clearer to us: here, where Europe is not yet an EU, its true diversity is revealed.
Procedure and journey
We are travelling to Kosovo and from there to the tri-border region of Albania, Macedonia and Serbia. First we head to the Sharr Mountains and then to Mount Korba.
We are travelling to Tirana. There is a direct flight from Zurich. We then pick up our hire car and drive towards the tour area. We spend the first night in Shkodra, where we get to know and see the history and culture of the country.
We travel on to the touring area of Lëpushë. Here we move into a superb accommodation with double rooms and enjoy the local hospitality with perfect food and countless tour options right on the doorstep.
We spend the second half of the week in the Korab Massif, the border region between Albania and Macedonia. It's a 3.5-hour car journey between the two areas. We climb Mount Korab, the highest peak in both countries. Here, too, we undertake tours of around 1000 metres in altitude and can also plan a somewhat more challenging or longer tour.
Our flight back to Zurich departs at 09:40 on Sunday. After our last tour on Saturday, we travel back to Tirana (approx. 4 hours), spend another night in a local hotel and savour the best moments of our trip together over dinner.
Requirements
- Mastering the ski touring technique with its basics (skins, hairpin bends). These are often normal ski tours, as we know them from Switzerland. If possible, we also include tours with passages where we tie on the skis or a foot ascent is included.
- Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow. We often find the most beautiful powder snow. But like everywhere else, the weather can do what it wants.
- Stamina for around 1000 metres of ascent at a normal pace over a week. Sometimes we will do less than 1000 metres and sometimes more. We divide the tours so that we have enough energy for all days!
- Splitboarders are welcome, provided they are experienced.
Price and services
- CHF 2390.-
- Small group with 4 - 6 guests per mountain guide.
- Implementation and organisation with Swiss mountain guides
- Including all accommodation with half board. Typically double room.
- Half board included.
- Not included is the first and last dinner in a local restaurant.
- The journey to and from Pristina is not included. The direct flight with Edelweiss costs around CHF 250. Of course, you can also arrive earlier or leave later to travel around the country on your own. Another good option is to travel by ferry from Italy.
- As we have high fixed costs, special cancellation fees apply for this trip. Travel insurance is recommended.
- Cancellation up to 180 days before departure: CHF 1500.-
- Cancellation up to 60 days before departure: 80 % of the tour price
- Cancellation 59 to 0 days before departure: full tour price
Material and equipment
For this trip you will need the normal ski touring equipment plus all the utensils you need for the journey. We have for you a packing list with packing tips compiled.
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.
That's what our guests say:
Impressions: Ski tour Balkans
Join us on authentic ski tours in the Balkans:
- 13 - 20 February 2027, Saturday - Saturday, 8 daysFreie Plätze
Mountain guideCHF 2390.-
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