Haute Route means the high road and on this trip we head to Austria for the Silvretta Haute Route. The tour begins in Ischgl where we take the lift up and traverse the entire ski system and soon find ourselves among endless peaks and valleys. Silvretta is a slightly easier Haute Route with a little less elevation gain each day and a little less steep off-piste skiing, so it is perfect for those who have tried top tours before and want a challenging adventure at the right level.
We ski with trail skins and randonnée bindings. This works like a slalom binding but can be detached at the heel so we can go uphill. The mountains in Austria are slightly lower than in the French Alps so we are between 2000-3300 m on this tour. We often sleep at around 2300 m.
We start and end the trip in Innsbruck, where you can take a direct train from Sweden
Previous knowledge
You need to be in good condition as it is a week with many altitude meters to be covered every day (600-1000 altitude meters per day). You should also have some experience of off-piste skiing. Furthermore, you should have done a few top tours before so you know how to handle trail skins and how to go on randonnée bindings.
If you lack any of these prior knowledge or are unsure of your ability, we of course want to help you and you are welcome to contact us, please use the form at the bottom of this page.
Program for the week
The following program is a normal week. Due to weather and snow conditions we may change this program, then we have many alternative routes and other cabins we can stay at.
Day 1
Arrival in Innsbruck
You can check in at the hotel from 3 pm in the afternoon.
In the evening you meet your mountain guide for a meeting.
Day 2
Innsbruck - Heidelberghütte
We take the train to Ischgl and then the lift up and traverse the entire ski system. Arriving at the Heidelberg hut, we have lunch before heading out on an afternoon tour nearby.
Day 3
Heidelberg Hut - Jamtal Hut
From the Heidelberg Hut we head up over the valley and head towards the Kronenjoch. This pass gives access to the upper parts of the Breites Wasser valley, where we have to ski down to reach the Jamtal Hut. If the conditions are good, we can also climb to the top of the Breite Krone (3097m) on the way. Another option to reach Jamtal Hut is via Zahnjoch, which is shorter and more direct than Kronenjoch, so a better option in poor visibility.
Day 4
Jamtal Hütte
A chance to enjoy a day's skiing with a lighter pack on! There are many good day trips from Jamtal Hut, providing many different options depending on the current snow and conditions. Hintere Jamspitze is one of our favourites. This is at the head of the Jamtal Glacier, which is climbed via a long sweeping curve up to Jamjoch Col. From the pass it is then a short final climb up the rocks leading to the summit and a magnificent view. The descent is just as good and offers a long lovely route all the way back to the cabin.
Day 5
Jamtal Hütte - Wiesbadener Hütte
A day spent mostly in glacial terrain. From Jamtal Hut we ascend the Jamtal Glacier to a final short steep climb that leads up to the Ochsenscharte Col (2913m). This is a fantastic place, in the middle of a beautiful landscape. On the other side of the pass, the Vermunt glacier provides a fantastic northwest descent down to the Wiesbadener Hut where we spend the night. There is an occasional crack on the glacier here, so we have to keep an eye out and choose our line carefully.
Day 6
Wiesbadener Hütte
There are many good day trips above the Wiesbadener Hut, so we will choose a good target for the current snow and weather conditions. Buinlucke and Fuorcla Cunfin are both good excursions among excellent glacial scenery. These 2 passes allow us to dip a toe in Switzerland before enjoying a stunning north facing glacier heading back down to the lodge. Or maybe a summit trip up Piz Buin 3312 m
Day 7
Wiesbadener Hütte - Innsbruck
We end the week with a trip down to Galtur. From the cabin, a relatively short climb (~300m climb) up to Rauhkopfscharte which takes us to the top of a long, northern valley – Bieltal. This is our descent line and provides excellent skiing right down to the valley floor, just below the Silvrettasee dam. From here, a pisted track leads back to Galtur via schussing and poling.
Arriving in Galtur, transport back to Innsbruck awaits, where we check into a hotel for the night.
Day 8
Home journey day
You check out of the hotel no later than 10:00 and continue the adventure on your own.
Small groups
We only take 4-6 skiers/guides on these weeks.
Personal equipment
The following is an equipment list. If you have any questions about anything in this list, please contact us.
• Skis with bindings for top tours
• Stig skins
• Ski crampons
• Poles that are adjustable with a large trough
• Boots for summit tours
• Ski backpack of approx. 35-45 liters (make a test pack of your equipment, if you can fit everything, it is the right size)
• Avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, transceiver)
• Harness, crampons, ice axe
• Travel sheet/thin sleeping bag (not sleeping bag)
• Headlamp
• Clothing for skiing
• Extra undershirts, 2 pieces
• Extra warm jacket, for example a thin down jacket, or extra fleece, to put on when we rest or if it gets really cold (preferably down, small and handy to keep in the backpack)
• Extra gloves
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Sun protection
• Snacks
• Entertainment on the mobile phone
The following is included
• Authorized mountain guide (UIAGM/IFMGA) all week (6 days skiing)
• All transport throughout the week starting in, and returning to, Innsbruck
• Hotel with breakfast for 2 nights
• Accommodation in mountain cabins including breakfast and dinner on the nights we stay in a cabin for 5 nights
• Stunning views and wonderful off-piste skiing along the way on the Silvretta Haute Route
• 16 week training program
Not included
• Lunches and drinks with the food when we are in the cabins up on the mountain (for example beer, soda or wine with the food in the cabins) and in Innsbruck
• Personal ski equipment (see equipment list)
• Travel to/from Innsbruck
• Lift card
• Insurance for off-piste skiing
Group booking
We do both weeks for private groups and for individuals who book themselves (open groups). If you book yourself, we will put you together with others to form a group. For groups that want to book privately and go with their own guide, contact us at info@mountainguide.se or fill in the form next to this.
