Adventure Advanced
- Off-piste
- Half Board
- Suitable for adventurous advanced off-piste skiers.
- First class mountain guiding
- Great off-piste area
Overview
Andermatt is a charming 800 year old Swiss village in the Gotthard Massif. It is renowned for its excellent snow record thanks to its geographical location.
Description
Off the mountain, the village is quiet with limited nightlife. But it's the skiing you've come for and you won't be disappointed!!
It is also renowned for its superb off-piste and the main mountain, the Gemstock has been likened to the Grand Montets in Argentiere, but with the distinct advantage that the off-piste here in Andermatt is rarely crowded.
5 full days off-piste guiding plus 1 'freeskiing' day when no guiding is provided.
The principal aims of the off-piste adventure courses are:
• To provide first class guiding from leading international Mountain Guides to improve off piste skiing technique.
• To give practical mountain awareness training on the hazards and risks associated with skiing off-piste particularly for avalanches.
• To provide the opportunity to ski the best off piste in the Andermatt ski region.
Itineraries vary depending on the composition of the group and the weather and snow conditions.
Ski area
Andermatt village is at 1450m. The top of the Gemsstock is at almost 3000m. This mountain has been likened to Argentiere's Grand Montets and its here that some of the best off-piste runs can be found in the bowls and gulleys of the Felsental, Unteralp and Guspi valleys and all accessed from the top of the lift station. Away from the Gemsstock there are a number of other separate skiing areas all accessible on the same lift pass including Winterhorn and the villages of Sedrun, Disentis and Oberalp. Because Andermatt receives a lot of snow and the slopes are quite steep, the area is prone to avalanches.
Skill: ******
Our off-piste adventure advanced level courses are for strong all-round skiers with plenty of off-piste experience (5 weeks plus). To join courses at this level you must be able to cope with most conditions confidently, competently and with minimum faff! You are willing to try it all: steeps, breakable crud, speed, ice, spring snow, deep powder.
Stamina: ****
For the off-piste adventure courses you need to have good physical fitness in order to enjoy full days on the hill. On these courses you will mostly use the lift systems to gain altitude but you can expect some walking/climbing in order to access some runs.
Accommodation and meals
You will stay in one of Andermatt's many hotels on half-board basis (twin-rooms). Our preferred hotel is the Hotel Sonne. All rooms are ensuite. The hotel is a traditional Swiss hotel, family run with friendly staff. The hotel restaurant serves continental breakfast and a 2 or 3 course evening meal. Portions are plentiful!
About Andermatt
Andermatt used to be a favourite of the British, but has since fallen on harder times. Now it is more known as a mountain troop base, although many skiers still take the train up to enjoy excellent snow, a reasonable range of slopes (56km) and some top off-piste.
Andermatt deserves to get more coverage, particularly for experts who want to get off marked trails up on the Gemsstock. Because it's a little run-down, the lifts aren't exactly the most high-tech and efficient, but Andermatt still maintains its picturesque charm. And because it has slipped behind other resorts, it remains delightfully uncrowded. There are no buses and you have to use the train to get around. You can also take the train to Davos, St Moritz and Zermatt.
The village has plenty of slope-side accommodation but there's a limit to après-ski, nightlife and other non-skiing stuff. And the barracks don't really maximise the views! Overall, Andermatt is a slightly old-fashioned resort that deserves a return to its former glory. If you want good snow and quite tough terrain, this is the place.