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A Swiss Secret: skiing the ENGADIN VALLEY aND THE ALBULA TRAVERSE
In March 2023, I led a group on the Albula traverse, from St. Moritz to Davos through the Albula range in eastern Switzerland. The Canton of Graubunden (Grisons) is the most interesting Canton in Switzerland, thanks to its unique blend of Swiss-German, Italian, and Romansch cultures. The scenery here is unmatched, and the ski crowds are nowhere to be found, making it a powder skier’s paradise. The Albula traverse samples the best skiing in the area.
DREAM TRIP REPORT: FREERIDE HAUTE ROUTE
From February 24-March 1, 2024, I led a ski trip from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. This trip vaguely followed the path of the world-famous Haute Route, which traverses over glaciers and high peaks from Chamonix to Zermatt. Instead of traversing, we opted to ski from town to town across the Alps, using the impeccable lift systems to reach high summits. From the top of one ski area, we’d descend the backside, leaving the crowds behind, and end up in a completely new valley each night. After skiing to the next village, we’d spend the night at a comfortable hotel and celebrate the day’s achievements with a delicious meal.
Skiing the Emperor Couloir, Torreys Peak
A classic ski mountaineering peak of the Front Range, Torreys Peak is one of the more accessible routes for those hoping to ski the 14ers, featuring multiple fantastic fall-line ski descents from its summit.
Climbing the Great Dihedral, Rocky Mountain National Park
The Great Dihedral is roughly 8 pitches long, and climbs for about 800 vertical feet from the rocky talus field below the face to the top. Climbing difficulties are in the 5.7 range, with the crux pitch coming at the clean dihedral, or corner, that gives the route its name.
Alpine anchor building seminar
It only takes a day of focused instruction and practice to gain the skills necessary to build your own traditional anchors for alpine climbing and ski mountaineering.