Ski mountaineering tour
Piz Palü
traverse
Südtirolalpin
Certified Mountain Guide
IFMGA - Mountain Guides Associations
Mail suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Prices from
900,- €
ABOUT THE TOUR
A great classic of ski mountaineering traverses over Piz Palü in the ballroom of the Alps.
2 days · Difficulty ZS · 7 h · Bernina Range
The traverse of Piz Palü in the Bernina Range is one of the great classics of ski mountaineering in the Alps. And for good reason: we move through the ballroom of the Alps. That is what this unique glacial basin with the Pers Glacier and the Morteratsch Glacier, in the face of Piz Palü and Piz Bernina, is also called.
From our accommodation, the Diavolezza Hut, we enjoy a magnificent view of this mountain world. We reach the hut in a relaxed way on the first day by cable car, so arrival on the same day is no problem at all.
The tour itself leads us up fascinating glaciers until we reach the wonderful snow and ice ridge on the east summit of Piz Palü. We then continue along the exposed ridge to the main summit and down the other side towards Piz Spinas. The tour is crowned by the descent from the Bellavista Gap through the “Loch”, past huge serac bands and over wonderful ski slopes onto the Morteratsch Glacier. Depending on snow conditions, we can ski directly to the railway station in Morteratsch. Over a cool beer in the warming spring sun, looking up at our descent tracks, we relive the tour once more. Afterwards, we take the train back up to the pass, where our car is parked.
The traverse of Piz Palü is one of the great classics of the Bernina Range – and it has been for a very long time. The main summit was first climbed as early as 1866 by Kenelm Edward Digby with the mountain guide Peter Jenny and a porter. The full traverse of all three summits followed in 1868. The name Palü, by the way, comes from the Poschiavo dialect word for marsh and refers to the lower alpine meadows – a beautiful contrast to the ice and snow flanks high above.
INFO
Services
Included in the price:
- Entire organization and guidance by a state-certified mountain guide
- All necessary reservations are made in advance
Additional costs:
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- Half-board overnight stay at the Diavolezza Hut (the cable car ride is included in the hut stay)
- Mountain guide expenses (hut overnight stay)
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment (€10 per piece of equipment)
Facts
Location:
Bernina Group
Best time of year:
Mid-March - end of April
Duration:
2 Tage
Meeting point:
Bernina Diavolezza - cable car valley station
What you need
Requirements:
- Fitness for 1,200 meters of ascent at high altitude
- Confident skiing on slopes is a prerequisite for this tour. Steep slopes of 35° to 40° must be negotiated.
- Surefootedness with crampons on the snow ridge
- A head for heights
PRICING
Participants:
1 - 2 people
Prices:
1 person:
2 people:
1.500,- €
900,- €
If you have any questions or need further information, please write them in the comment field of the inquiry form.
Before submitting your request: Please read the "important information" about risks in mountaineering carefully.
Dates:
upon request
PROGRAM
Day 1: Arrival and Diavolezza
For this tour, a meeting point in the late afternoon is sufficient; the cable car to Diavolezza runs until 5 pm. This means you can travel up comfortably on the same day. In the car park at the valley station, we do a short gear check and then take the cable car up to the Diavolezza Hut. After checking in, we discuss the tour in the evening and pack our rucksacks for the next day. Then we enjoy a tasty meal with a beautiful view of the Bernina Range through the restaurant’s glass front in the hut – which could just as well be described as a hotel.
⌂ Diavolezza Hut (3,000 m)
Day 2: Piz Palü traverse
The next morning, we set off at first light towards Piz Palü. After a hearty breakfast, we first ski a few hundred vertical metres down onto the Pers Glacier. Once on the glacier, we put on skins and rope up for the ascent across this heavily crevassed glacier. More than 1,000 vertical metres of climbing follow to the col below the east summit. Here the skis go onto the rucksack, and we climb the increasingly steep slope until we gain the exposed snow arête. Along the ridge we first reach the east summit and then continue to the main summit. We then descend to the shoulder between the main summit and Piz Spinas, where a steep flank on the south side leads us onto the Altiplano di Fellaria glacier on the Italian side. Via the Bellavista Gap we return to Switzerland, where the descent over the Morteratsch Glacier down to Morteratsch awaits us. From the summit to the railway station there are around 2,000 vertical metres of descent; often we can still ski all the way out even late in the season.
Total time: 7 h | ↑ 1,200 m | ↓ 2,100 m | Difficulty: ZS
Info: There is also the option of extending the tour by one more day and spending the night at the Boval Hut. Depending on conditions, we will undertake a tour from the hut on the third day. If everything lines up, Piz Bernina would be a very demanding option among several, including easier tours from there. If you would like to spend 3 days on skis in the Bernina Range, simply mention it in your enquiry.
Any changes to the program that may be necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, accommodation booking situation, etc.) will always be made in consultation with the participants.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - (FAQs)
How demanding is the Piz Palü ski traverse?
The tour is a ski mountaineering tour graded ZS and requires confident skiing in alpine terrain, good fitness, and experience on glaciers. On summit day, we are out for around 7 hours, with exposed sections on the snow arête and a long descent to Morteratsch.
How does the tour run over the two days in detail?
On the first day, we meet in the late afternoon at the valley station and take the lift up to the Diavolezza Hut. There we discuss the tour and spend the night. On the second day, we set off early across the Pers Glacier to Piz Palü, then make the traverse and descend through the “Loch” onto the Morteratsch Glacier all the way to Morteratsch. From there, we take the train back to the pass.
What equipment do I need for the tour?
You will receive the detailed packing list with the confirmation email. Naturally, your ski touring equipment and suitable mountaineering clothing are essential. Missing equipment can be rented from Südtirolalpin for a small wear-and-tear fee.
