The Lötschenpasshütte in Winter
In winter, the Lötschenpasshütte is open and staffed continuously from December to April. The easiest way to reach the hut from the Hockenhorngrat mountain station is via Europe's highest snowshoe trail. It can be reached with touring skis, snowshoes, and even downhill skis via the secured trail.
Starting points for winter ascents are Lauchernalp, Ferden in the Lötschental valley , and Leukerbad .
All winter ascents are located off-piste and away from the secured and controlled ski slopes. Consulting the avalanche bulletin and having the necessary touring equipment are essential for a visit. The hut team is happy to provide information about snow and avalanche conditions. Accompanied by an lötschentaler mountain guide , you can enjoy a relaxed and safe ascent and also learn interesting facts about the surrounding area.Starting with an experienced mountain guide, you will also learn interesting facts about the area. With skis or snowshoes
From the Hockenhorngrat
+70m/-450m | with Ski: ¾ h | on snowshoes: 1 ½ h
The starting point of this ascent can be reached from Wiler by cable car, chairlift, and gondola. Allow 40 minutes for the transfer from Wiler to the Hockenhorngrat using these transport options. From the Hockenhorngrat mountain station, the ascent follows the marked snowshoe trail to the hut.
From Ferden
+1350m | with Ski: 4 ½ h | on snowshoes: 5 ½ h
Ferden is the first village in the Lötschental valley and the starting point for this approach to the hut. Opposite the Hotel Zeitlos, follow the hiking signs towards the Lötschenpass. Either follow the hiking trail or take the road to reach the first left-hand bend on the Kummenstrasse (1570 m). Leave the road here and follow the path west of the Färdanbach stream to the bridge (1728 m). Continue along the western branch of the Färdanbach and ascend a steep section to the bridge west of the Kummenalp (2086 m).
From here, follow the summer trail to the Kummenalp alpine huts until point 2415. Now head north (approximately 200 m east of the summer trail) and ascend the steep, rocky ridge. Cross the flat area for the last few meters to the hut. Variant from the bridge west of Kummenalp (2086 m): From here, ascend steadily to Chastelli (2251 m), then head northwards in several switchbacks up the slope to point 2387. Now climb the gully northwestwards and skirt the lake (2594 m) to the west. From here, continue through undulating terrain to the Lötschenpasshütte.
From Lauchernalp
+800m | with Ski: 3 h | on snowshoes: 3 h
Lauchernalp can be reached by cable car from Wiler in the Lötschental valley. Ski tourers follow the "Walderra" piste to the children's area of the ski school. From here, traverse westwards above Hockenalp and below the avalanche barriers into the large basin of the Golmbach stream. You have now left the hustle and bustle of the ski area behind. Continue ascending steadily across this hollow in a northwesterly direction. After a 550-meter ascent, the Hockensatteleggi (2566 m a.s.l.) is reached in 2 hours. This small pass leads into somewhat flatter terrain. The trail continues gently westward along the slope. After approximately 1200 meters, a shallow hollow is reached, which is traversed in a northwesterly direction, and then the trail ascends to the prominent large cairn. The remaining 400 meters to the hut can now be covered in just a few minutes.
The ascent from Lauchernalp via Satteleggi, and the descent from the hut on the same route, is also marked as a snowshoe route and should be treated like a ski touring route (unmarked, unsecured, not groomed by machine, only to be undertaken with appropriate knowledge and equipment).
From Leukerbad
+1500m/-300m | with Ski: 6 h | on snowshoes: 7 h
From Leukerbad, follow the ski run to the village of Folljeret (1773 m). From there, cross the Majinggraben via the road and ascend to the Untere Majingalp (1932 m). Continue on the alpine road to the Flüebach stream (2029 m). Now, ascend steadily on the left side of the valley, passing above the Flüehalp, and continue northeast up the long valley. Pass point 2382 m and reach the Gitzifurgge pass (2912 m) in approximately 2 km. Descend 300 m in a south-southeast direction to the Lötschenpasshütte mountain hut.