Safe in winter | Mountain weather and tour planning (in German)

• Understand winter weather and apply the 3×3 method
• Assess how weather affects the snowpack and avalanche conditions
• Use weather forecasts and apps for snowshoe tours
• Learn in the field with meteorologist and hiking guide Roger Oechslin
• Three days of theory and practice in the classroom and winter terrain
• Two nights at Gemmi Lodge 2350 with half board
• Experience the alpine winter landscape and spectacular views

Make your own way to the Gemmi. Meet at Gemmi Lodge 2350 at 13:00. Rooms are available from 13:00.

Welcome, course objectives and an initial review of your knowledge. An interactive introduction to winter weather, forecasts and the 3×3 method. First weather observations in the field.

Four-course dinner together in the panoramic restaurant. An evening theory session on tour planning and assessing the weather for the following day.

Interactive theory session on weather apps, joint weather analysis and tour preparation.

A snowshoe tour adapted to conditions, with continuous weather observation. Interpret weather phenomena, assess their effects on conditions, terrain and human factors, and make decisions using the 3×3 method. Packed lunch included.

Four-course dinner together. Plan the next day’s tour and assess the weather in small groups.

Analyse the current weather and review the tour plan. A snowshoe tour adapted to conditions, applying the 3×3 method independently. Packed lunch included.

Review, personal feedback and applying what you have learned to your own tours. Course finishes at approximately 15:00, followed by your individual journey home.

For snowshoe enthusiasts and trainee hiking guides.

You should be confident walking in snowshoes in winter terrain and fit enough for tours up to WT3, with ascents and descents of approximately 700 metres. An interest in winter weather, tour planning and sound decision-making in the mountains.

Group size: 6–16 participants.

Course taught exclusively in German.

Price: CHF 995 per person in a Comfort double room.

If you book a shared double room and no suitable room partner can be found, the single-room supplement will apply. If the room category is no longer available, accommodation will be provided in another available category with the corresponding supplement or reduction.

Single room, subject to availability: CHF 20 per night, CHF 40 in total for 2 nights.

Included: 3 professionally guided course days; a second hiking guide from 9 participants; 2 nights at Gemmi Lodge 2350 in a Comfort double room with shared bathroom facilities on the same floor; 2 nights’ half board with four-course dinners and a generous breakfast buffet; 2 packed lunches; return journeys on the Gemmi cable car on your arrival and departure days.

Not included: personal travel costs, snacks, drinks, any equipment hire and insurance.

Bring full snowshoe touring equipment: snowshoes, telescopic poles and a safety kit with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Warm, high-cut hiking or winter hiking boots with excellent grip, warm clothing in layers, weather protection and personal items for two nights are essential.

Safety kits, snowshoes and telescopic poles can be hired at an additional charge, subject to availability. Equipment hire is not included in the course price.

simply.hiking packing list for multi-day snowshoe tours (in German)

The packing list provides general guidance. For this course, you stay at Gemmi Lodge 2350; half board and two packed lunches are included.