Ortler Ski Traverse

Known as more of a “skier’s traverse” than a “ski touring” traverse because of the abundance of good ski descents and the fact that we start out quite high on a gondola in the quaint town of Sulden / Solda. This town is both our start and ending point and is situated right below the mighty Ortler Peak which gave the range its name. The Ortler Range boasts some of the largest glaciers in the Eastern Alps with peaks rising to 3900 meters (12,800 ft). The trip is also of interest from a cultural and historical view, as we travel both through the German speaking South Tirol and the Italian speaking Trentino and Lombardia Provinces. The front lines of WW1 ran straight across the highest ridgelines with remnants from the war still visible high on the glaciers today.

What also puts this trip ahead of many ski traverses in the Western Alps is the high standard of the huts. While located well above tree line next to the glaciers, the huts always offer excellent food, beer on tab and often double or 4 bed rooms with showers / toilets down the hall. Of course the landscape is breathtaking and the descents are long. Most runs are northerly aspects which preserves powder well into May.