The Wetterhorn, standing at 3,692 meters above sea level, towers majestically over Grindelwald. The touring history of this peak stretches far back. The first ascent was achieved by Melchior Bannholzer and Johann Jaun on August 31, 1844. However, it took another 30 years before the giant – with its partly overhanging glaciers – was conquered for the first time in winter.
Today, a tour to the Wetterhorn is on many wish lists. So how about a ski tour to Grindelwald’s iconic local mountain?

To ascend the Wetterhorn on skis, several requirements need to come together and work in unison.

The weather and conditions have to be just right. The tour is long and strenuous, so the conditions and weather have to cooperate 100%.

You need to be highly skilled both in skiing and alpine techniques, with plenty of experience on similar tours. The ascent demands strong uphill technique, efficient movement, and confident footing in steep terrain – both on skis and with crampons. The descent is equally challenging, featuring steep sections, skiing on crevassed glaciers, and rappelling with skis.

Prepare well for this high-altitude ski tour. Take the essentials, but not too much, because you'll definitely feel the weight of your backpack after climbing 2,400 meters.

All the details

You meet your mountain guide early in the morning in Rosenlaui – depending on the date and temperature, this could be as early as 3 a.m. After a quick gear check, the tour begins. We ascend along the hiking trail that follows the Rosenlaui Gorge. The forest is steep and full of switchbacks.

Ascent
Depending on the time of year, this section is either done on skis or on foot. By the time we reach Gletscherhubel, we switch to skis at the latest. The terrain flattens slightly. Still guided by our headlamps, we continue along the Dossen path toward the moraine. The slope steepens again, and we ascend in kick turns up the moraine and through the steep couloir to the Rosenlaui bivouac.

We put on our climbing harnesses, as we’ll soon be on the glacier. As day breaks, the surrounding peaks begin to glow in the morning light. On the crevassed glacier, we weave our way upward, meter by meter. Depending on snow conditions, we may navigate these sections roped up.

The Rosenlaui Glacier then eases off again, and we cross broad glacier fields toward the Wellhorn saddle. Just before the saddle, we switch back into kick-turn mode and climb quickly. Reaching the Wellhornsattel, the summit of the Wetterhorn feels almost within reach. A short descent follows, then we ascend once more to the Wettersattel.

Here we leave our skis and switch to crampons. Roped together, we tackle the final meters to the summit – a steep climb over snow and rock. Soon we’ve made it and stand atop the 3,692-meter Wetterhorn. The view from here is breathtaking: to the west lies the valley of Grindelwald, and to the south, the steep 4000-meter peaks of the Bernese Alps – a one-of-a-kind panorama.

Descent
After a summit break, we return along the ascent route to our skis. We remove the skins and switch our ski boots to downhill mode. The first turns feel a bit stiff – after all, our legs have done some serious climbing. But soon things loosen up, and we glide smoothly over the glacier.

A short counter-ascent brings us back to the Wellhorn saddle, and from there, the descent takes us down the Rosenlaui Glacier to the Rosenlaui bivouac. We wind our way through the couloir and tackle some steep ramps over glacial humps. Depending on snow conditions, rappelling with skis may be necessary here.

We then traverse below the Kleine Wellhorn, where a few more beautiful slopes await. Further down, the descent becomes more challenging again. We weave between shrubs and trees, making our way toward the Rosenlaui Gorge. Depending on the conditions, part of this section may need to be done on foot.

Soon we reach the hiking trail and walk the final meters back to Rosenlaui. Done – a long and unforgettable ski touring day comes to an end!

2 days including overnight stay and course certificate
Learn about equipment, ascent techniques, companion rescue, and much more in our Basic Ski Touring Course in Grindelwald.
More information

4 days including overnight stay and course certificate
Learn how to plan and carry out ski tours independently. Our mountain guide will show you how to correctly assess avalanche conditions and what to consider when preparing a ski tour.
More information

2 days including overnight stay
Learn how to assess avalanche conditions, read the avalanche bulletin, and receive valuable tips on companion rescue.
More information