The Best of Both Worlds: Lift-Accessed Backcountry Skiing in Andermatt

Andermatt, Switzerland isn’t your typical ski destination. It’s one of the rare places where a modern lift network connects directly to vast, untouched backcountry terrain—no long slogs or hours of skinning just to find your line. Instead, you get more skiing, better access, and the freedom to move quickly between big descents. That’s exactly why we built our Switzerland Ski Adventure around this location.

Whether you’re a seasoned backcountry skier or new to ski touring, Andermatt offers something that’s hard to find elsewhere: a seamless transition from resort to remote terrain, all in one day.

Why Andermatt Is a Backcountry Skier’s Dream

Tucked into the heart of the Swiss Alps, Andermatt is surrounded by steep valleys, glaciated bowls, and high-alpine ridgelines that hold snow well into the spring. The region gets consistently deep snowfall, and because it sits at the intersection of multiple weather patterns, the snowpack tends to be both reliable and exciting.

The best part? The infrastructure. Andermatt’s modern lift system quickly moves you out of the valley and into terrain that would otherwise take hours to reach. With that kind of efficiency, it’s not uncommon to get in 4,000–6,000 vertical feet of touring and skiing per day—without ever feeling rushed.

Lift Access Meets True Ski Touring

This isn’t sidecountry. You’re not just dipping a few feet off-piste and calling it a day. We use the lifts strategically—to get into position. From there, we transition into skins and head for classic zones like the Guspis Valley or the wide-open backcountry above the Oberalppass. Each descent brings new terrain, fewer tracks, and a strong sense of being out there.

It’s ideal for those who want to earn their turns—but without wasting half the day on an approach. You still get the full backcountry experience: route finding, decision-making, and deep turns in wild places. You just get to skip the long haul in.

What to Expect on the Switzerland Ski Adventure

On our Switzerland Ski Adventure, we base out of a comfortable hotel in Andermatt and spend five full days skiing the surrounding peaks. Each day starts with lifts and ends with big tours. Our IFMGA-certified guides make the most of conditions, adjusting plans in real-time to find the best snow and safest routes.

Expect a mix of:

•Big alpine bowls and steep couloirs

•High-elevation traverses

•Remote summits and long powder descents

•Low-ratio guiding and custom itinerary planning

This trip is built for strong intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers who are looking for something more: more terrain, more skiing, and more efficient access.

Maximize Your Time in the Mountains

If you’ve done hut-to-hut touring or traditional expedition-style trips, you know how much time can get lost to transitions, long skins, and moving between zones. In Andermatt, the balance is different. The lifts do the heavy lifting, and we use that head start to dive deeper into the backcountry.

It’s a smart way to travel in the mountains—especially when you only have a week to work with and want to spend that time actually skiing.

Join Us in Andermatt

If lift-accessed ski touring sounds like the right kind of efficiency, our Switzerland Ski Adventure might be the trip you didn’t know you were looking for. It’s not about checking boxes or bagging peaks—it’s about maximizing time in good snow, with good people, in a place that makes it all possible.

Andermatt gives us the best of both worlds—and we’re making the most of it. Get in touch with our team today.