Guided Berner Oberland Ski Tours run by IFMGA guides John & Olivia Race and the Northwest Mountain School.
The Berner Oberland might provide the most iconic Swiss backcountry ski experience we have organized. The terrain is nearly Alaskan in scale and opportunities for dozens of summit ascents beckon. Our Berner Oberland ski tour begins in the town of Interlaken, Switzerland under the backdrop of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. There are few places prettier than Interlaken in the spring.
From the trip description by Northwest Mountain School
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability. Instruction is not included.
- Coached: Not confirmed
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- 6 days on snow with staff
- Backcountry guiding6 days skiing with IFMGA/UIAGM guides John Race and/or Olivia Cussen
- 1 guide : 5 guests
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- The Berner Oberland Tour is not an extreme ski route in any way.
- The Berner does, however, require participants to be decent skiers.
- Things you should feel comfortable doing include: skiing with a backpack, skiing a wide variety of snow ranging from powder to breakable crust to corn, and climbing and descending 4000-5500' on skis each day for 6 consecutive days.
- This trip is open to all skiers with previous ski touring experience.
- Sport
- Ski
From the trip description by Northwest Mountain School
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Meals · partly
- Use of BCA Tracker avalanche beaconReserve it with the operator.
- Single-ride ticket for Jungfraujoch
- 6 days skiing with IFMGA/UIAGM guides John Race and/or Olivia Cussen
- 1 night lodging in Interlaken (shared room)
- 5 nights in mountain huts with standard dinner and breakfast
- Use of BCA Tracker Avalanche Beacon (be sure to reserve this with us)
- Single-ride ticket for Jungfraujoch
Not included
- Transfers
- Skiers rescue insurance
- Travel to/from start point
- Drinks in huts
- Lunches
- Return train ticket from end of tour to Interlaken
- Gratuities & additional charge of approximately $15 USD per night if you are not a member of a reciprocal Alpine club
Not confirmed by the operator: Lift pass, Lesson.
Day by day
- Day 0: Meet in Interlaken, SwitzerlandThe group will meet at our hotel at 5:00 PM. We will provide a group orientation, have dinner, and do an equipment check. The plan is to leave early the next morning so you will want to shoot to arrive in the early afternoon of this day so that you have a chance to pick up some snack food for the trip, organize your gear, and put together any luggage that you will be storing during the trip. We will return to the same hotel at the end, so it will be easy to store things here.
- Day 1: Jungfraujoch (3471m) to Monchjoch Hut (3630m)After an early breakfast we will take a series of trains to the Jungfraujoch. Our route follows an improbable tunnel through the Eiger and then onto the saddle between the Monch (4099m) and the Jungfrau (4158m), yet another miracle of Swiss engineering. At the top we can grab a quick espresso before walking out one last tunnel and onto the glacier. Once on the glacier we will review beacon use, basic avalanche rescue procedures, and do some touring. Options for the day include the Monch, a lap up to the Loumitor, or a climb and descent of the Trugberg.
- Day 2: Monchjoch Hut (3630m) to Hollandia Hut (3240m)Our preferred tour for the day takes us down onto the Jungfraufirn, and then climbs up to the Louwitor (3676m) a high pass between the Louwihorn (3773m) and the Kranzberg (3738m). Really ambitious groups can also undertake a climb of the Jungfrau (4158m) along the way. Once at the Loumnitor we are looking at a700 meter descent to the Grosser Aletschfirn, which leads us to our evening destination, the Hollandia Hut. We are usually the only American group in the Hollandia Hut, which is frequented by both Italians and Swiss.A simpler option (better in poor stability) is to stay on the Jundgfraufirn and descend all the way to the Konkordiaplatz before heading to the Hollandia Hut. Along the way we have the option to climb the Trugberg Mountain (3867m). This is big, spectacular terrain. Either way, we will spend the night in the Hollandia Hut.
- Day 3: Hollandia Hut (3240m) to Konkordia Hut (2850m)Before heading to the Konkordia Hut we will tackle one of two objectives up the Abeni Flue Glacier above the Hollandia Hut. We will climb either the Abeni Flue (3962m) or the Mittaghorn (3895 m). On past trips we have managed to squeeze both in. The Mittaghorn is a bit more technical and can only be done at a 2:1 or lower ratio. The skiing off the Abeni Flue tends to be the better of the two, but the Mittaghorn is a wonderful climbing objective. After descending one of these peaks we will pass the Hollandia Hut and then undertake the low-angle glacier ski to the Konkordia Hut where will will spend the night. Few will forget the journey up the 150 meters of ladders and stairs that lead to this amazing hut.
- Day 4: Konkordia Hut (2850m) to Finsteraarhorn Hut (3048m)On this day we will head East and climb the Grunhorn-Lucke (3266 m) and descend to the Finsteraahorn Hut. We have the option for a side trip to climb the Wyssnollen (3594 m), adding some vertical to our day. Either option finishes with a spectacular descent to the glacier and traverse to our hut for the night. The Finsteraarrhorn Hut is our favorite of all the huts in the region and on occasion we will add a second night here and undertake our exit from the area from this hut. Small groups can consider adding a climb and ski of the Finsteraarrhorn, perhaps the most significant peak in the immediate area.
- Day 5: Finsteraarhorn Hut (3048m) to the Oberaarjoch Hut (3258m)This could end up being the biggest day of vertical on the trip. One option is to wake up early, climb the Gross Wannenhorn (3905m), and then make the journey over to the Oberaajoch Hut in preparation for our final descent into the Rhone Valley the following day. The ski off the Gross Wannenhorn is a spectacular descent of nearly 1000 meters down a very scenic glacier. For those feeling light on energy, there is always the option to skip the Gross Wannenhorn and go directly to the hut.
- Day 6: Oberaarjoch Hut (3258m) to Munster (1388 m)For our exit we save the spectacular ski up and over the Galmihorn (3486m) or the Galmilucke (3293m) which each provide a descent of just under 2000 meters to the villages of either Munster or Reckingen where we return by train to Interlaken. Either descent takes us down an really beautiful valley that usually ends with a short hike through the pastures above town.
From the trip description by Northwest Mountain School
Location
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
- Apr 12 – Apr 17, 20272026/27 · 6 days3,250 USD$3250 per skier — the page shows "$"; USD is stated on this operator's Svalbard and Burnie pagesAvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
Published as "April 12-17, 2027".
- Apr 19 – Apr 24, 20272026/27 · 6 days3,250 USD$3250 per skier — the page shows "$"; USD is stated on this operator's Svalbard and Burnie pagesAvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
Published as "April 19-24, 2027".
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 24, 2026.
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