Engelberg Titlis Tours and Freerides
Engelberg is one of the best resorts in the alps for off piste ski routes, with many excellent and long itineraries. Amongst them the Laub, Titlis, Galtiberg, Sulzi and Wendenstock-Lücke all offer excellent sport on long, steep, beautiful runs. They require little uphill work, but the risk of crevasses, avalanches, route finding or sliding off a cliff mean that they are for experienced off piste skiers only, and should be treated with respect. There have been fatalities on many of the routes described here. The centrepiece is the circuit of Titlis, a big outing that starts at 3000m, descends to Fürenalp at 1000m and has just 600m of ascent in the middle. It starts with an exposed traverse, then descends the extremely steep south flank of Titlis by a series of abseils, that experts can ski; conditions and queues permitting. Next a climb up to Grassen bivouac, and a long, steep glacier descent where route finding is tricky in poor conditions. All in all, a full day out that should present no problems to the experienced, but should not be attempted by those without full knowledge of alpine techniques and navigation.
Engelberg is situated south of Luzern. To get to the start of the Titlis Rundtour, Galtiberg or Sulzi tours, take the cable car to Klein Titlis. For Wendenstock Lücke take the chair lift to Jochstock, and for the Laub the lift to Stand.
1) Titlis Rundtour to Fürenalp
An alpine skiers ski-tour. From the top of the Klein Titlis cable car (3032m) descend the glacier underneath the lift in a north west direction, keeping close to the south ridge to reach an exposed foot traverse that leads to Vorder Titlisjoch (2697m) and a prominent abseil point. About 20 minutes. Depending on conditions the traverse requires crampons and ice axe. From here a very steep ski or short abseil descent (best to take 2x50m ropes) leads to the Chli Gletescherli which is followed to a steep couloir with a second abseil point that will take you to the Wendengletscher (c2300m). Skin up this for 60 to 90 minutes to reach the Biwak am Grassen. It is possible to ski up northwards to the summit of Grassen (2946m) from here. Now descend the glacier, there are many possible routes, but also many crevasses and cliffs. It is easiest to traverse east at first and as the glacier turns, follow it back in a north westerly direction, then north east to reach the bridge over the river at Uf der Laui. From here follow the track to reach Fürenalp and a bus back to Engleberg. Navigation from Grassen Biwak is difficult in poor conditions.
2) Titlis and Galtiberg to Fürenalp
The summit of Titlis (3200m) is a reasonably straightforward 30 minutes up the ridge from the top of the Klein Titlis cable car. From here follows 2000m of steep descent, one of the longest in the alps. It is very commiting, and complex route finding. In the lower sections it is easy to lose the route, and find yourself amid some steep cliffs. Ski steeply more or less direct from the top of Titlis to the top of the gletscher drag lift, and follow the right hand side of the piste to a beautiful wide slope that leads to a terrace above the main difficulties. Keep following the steep couloir close to the cliffs at first, until at about 2000m it is possible to make a long traverse right (east). Do not continue down the gorge, it is prone to avalanche. The traverse will eventually lead you to the final slopes to the bridge at Herrenrütli.
3) Titlisgletscher and Sulzi to Trübsee
The Titlis gletscher is a magnificent off piste route, that requires care at the start, but is pure pleasure all the way to Trübsee. Start under the cable car and head down steeply avoiding the large crevasses. The route then traverses west across the Sulzi to reach a nice wide slope, that leads you to a final steep tricky step down for the final stretch to Trübsee. The last section can also be reached (easier) from the top of Jochstock. It is also possible to ski direct down the glacier from the top of Klein Titlis, keeping the large cliffs just to your right.
4) The Laub
An Engelberg classsic that can avalanche after heavy snow. From the top of the Laubersgrat chair lift follow the track north to the top of the Laubersgrat. The descent is steep and mogully at the start, and stays steep but very wide all the way to the top of the nursery slopes above the Ritz restaurant.
5) Wendenstock Lücke
From the top of Jochstock, walk and skin up to the Wendenstock Lücke (30 minutes), enjoy the view to the South and then ski very steeply to the bottom of the Engstelenalp skilift.
Ski tours in this region:
Photos (click for full view)
