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Tobias Granath

Tour du Soleil Haute Route

Ticino

The Tour du Soleil is one of the Alps’ hidden ski touring gems. Linking the mountains of Ticino and Northern Italy, the route combines exceptional spring skiing, spectacular scenery and some of the most welcoming mountain huts in the Alps.

Far less crowded than many of the classic Haute Routes, the Tour du Soleil offers a unique blend of remote mountain terrain, relaxed hut culture and outstanding ski touring. Days are spent travelling through high alpine landscapes, while evenings are enjoyed in traditional mountain huts known for their warm hospitality and excellent food.

The southern location often provides favourable spring conditions, making the Tour du Soleil an ideal choice for ski tourers looking for a quieter and more authentic alpine experience.

Combining great skiing, comfortable huts and the unique atmosphere of the southern Alps, the Tour du Soleil remains one of our favourite multi-day ski touring journeys.

  • Content
  • When
  • Info
  • Equipment

Program

Several variations of the Tour du Soleil are possible. The original route follows historic trading and smuggling routes linking the valleys of Valais, Ticino and Northern Italy, creating a fascinating journey through different landscapes, cultures and mountain traditions.

The itinerary below describes one of our favourite versions of the traverse, staying primarily within the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino and the northern mountains of Piemonte.

We recommend arriving the day before departure. Additional warm-up days can easily be arranged in Andermatt, Airolo or the surrounding region.

DAY 1

Meeting in All’Acqua at the head of the Bedretto Valley. A relaxed first day provides an ideal introduction to the region as we skin towards Capanna Corno-Gries, surrounded by the high peaks along the Swiss-Italian border.

DAY 2

Travelling south towards Grieshorn (2,967 m), we enjoy several excellent ski touring options before descending to Rifugio Maria Luisa. The welcoming atmosphere and outstanding Italian cuisine make this one of the highlights of the traverse.

DAY 3

A magnificent ascent of Basodino (3,273 m), the highest summit of the tour. Long glacier skiing and extensive north-facing terrain lead us towards Capanna Basodino for the night.

DAY 4

Continuing northwards, we aim for either Cristallina (2,912 m) or Cima di Lago (2,832 m), depending on conditions. Overnight at Capanna Cristallina, beautifully located above the Bedretto Valley.

DAY 5

A final day of classic spring ski touring with several possible descents back towards the Bedretto Valley. The tour concludes in the afternoon, allowing onward travel the same day.

Dates for season 2027

5-9/4, Tour du Soleil Haute Route

Note:

Please feel free to contact us about requests other dates. Mars and April is good period of the season to do this tour.

Travel

Flights to Zürich and onward train and bus transportation to the Bedretto Valley are not included.

Participants may choose to stay in Andermatt, Airolo or All’Acqua before the start of the tour. All locations offer convenient access to the meeting point.

Accommodation

Four nights in mountain huts.

Additional accommodation before or after the tour can be arranged in All’Acqua, Airolo or Andermatt.

Level required

Participants should have previous off-piste and ski touring experience.

A good level of fitness is required, with several consecutive days of ski touring in alpine terrain.

Guide/Client ratio

Maximum 6 guests per guide.

All departures are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides.

Individual skiers are welcome to join scheduled departures, subject to availability.

Duration

• 5 days of ski touring
• 4 nights in mountain huts

Season

March – End of April.

Insurance

Participants are responsible for arranging appropriate travel, accident and rescue insurance.

PRICE

CHF 1,500 per person

Included:

• 5 days of guided ski touring
• IFMGA Mountain Guide

Not Included:

• Travel to All’Acqua
• Mountain hut accommodation (approximately CHF 350 including breakfast and dinner)
• Lunches and beverages
• Ski touring equipment
• Travel and rescue insurance

Tour du Soleil equipment list

Please contact us if you need to rent anything of the list below.

Technical Equipment
  • Ski-touring equipment; skis, skins, ski-crampons, poles, ski-touring boots
  • Transceiver, probe, showel
  • Crampons, harness, ice-axe

Other Equipment
  • Backpack 35-40 liters
  • Headlamp
  • Warm hat & sunhat
  • Warm jacket
  • Underlayer, mid layer, extra socks
  • Jacket (wind and waterproof)
  • Trousers (wind and waterproof)
  • Thin and warm gloves
  • Ski-googles and sunglasses

  • Water bottle 1 liter
  • Thermos
  • Snacks, Bars
  • Blister kit & painkillers: Including Compeed blister plasters and elastoplast or similar
  • Sunscreen
  • Earplugs: If you sleep together in the dormitory at the mountain station and there is a lot of movement.
  • Sleeping sheet for the huts