Ortler Traverse information
This information package is for guests who have already booked a trip. If you have landed on this page via an internet search then you may contact me for information about this trip or others like it.
If you are signed up for the trip please read the following information carefully. It should answer all of the questions you may have.
If you get nothing else from this information package, please do the following:
Read and understand the waiver and acknowledge the risk ahead of time. You don’t need to sign the waiver now, you will do that once you arrive for the trip.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
The following information is included in this package:
Risk Discussion
Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance
Medical Insurance
Food and Medical Issues
What the price includes and does not include
Important Dates and Times
Delays and Trip Interruptions
Travel Considerations
Staying Connected
The Skiing and Terrain
Staff
What you need to do before we meet in italy
Read this information package carefully. Understand the risk involved on the trip.
Look at the gear list carefully and bring everything on the list.
Arrive at our pre-trip meeting ready to start the trip. This means having your ski touring pack loaded and ready for inspection by me, having purchased your lunch food, and having enough cash.
Understand what expenses you will need to pay for as you go. Ensure you have €800 cash on hand.
Load WhatsApp on to your phone as we will use that as a group chat pre-trip to aid in organization.
Continue reading for details regarding the points above.
Risk Discussion
It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk to backcountry skiing. These risks are shared by both the group and the guides. Some of these risks include:
snow avalanche
cornice fall
falling into a crevasse
falling while climbing
falling while skiing
collisions while skiing
rockfall
icefall
weather events
You will all need to sign a waiver at the beginning of the trip. Please read the waiver before the trip so you understand what the risks are and what you will be signing when you begin the trip.
Safety is our number one priority. You trust the guides to be dialed in and able to rescue you in case of an accident, but it goes both ways. Our risk is shared and we need to trust you to do the same for us!
The most important person in managing your personal risk and the risk of the group is YOU. If you prepare even just a little bit beforehand it is very helpful and the families of both the other participants and the guides thank you. There are a variety of ways you can help manage risk on this trip:
Be physically fit and rested when coming into the trip.
Listen to the guides’ instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask!
Be aware of the situation around you. As you travel through the terrain think of what you can do to reduce risk for yourself and the group (EG place yourself in a safe spot at regroups in avalanche terrain, keep the glacier rope tight, place yourself in the best position to avoid rockfall etc).
Speak up. If you see something you feel is hazardous, mention it to the guide. If you feel uncomfortable with what you perceive is a risk, mention it to the guide. We can discuss your concerns and change what we are doing if necessary.
Take an avalanche course. I can provide a private course for you or your group, or you can find a list of scheduled courses with other providers here: AST courses
Take the online avalanche course at the Avalanche Canada website.
Practice avalanche rescue prior to the trip. At the very least understand all of the functions of your avalanche transceiver and how to search for at least 2 burials. We would really appreciate if you practice with the entire kit before the trip: transceiver, shovel and probe. A full rescue practice where you work as a team and recover a couple of buried packs with transceivers in them would be best, but even working in the backyard doing a simple transceiver search, and making sure your shovel and probe are in good working order is helpful.
You are an integral part of the rescue team. Please practice before the trip, the safety of your fellow skiers and the guides rely on YOUR skills.
The ONLY way an avalanche incident will have a positive outcome is if you are practiced with YOUR skills.
You don’t need snow to practice. We often practice transceiver searching in a field in the dark, sometimes laying out several hats and hiding transceivers under two of them. It can also be beneficial to practice finding transceivers that you can see as it helps you understand how your transceiver responds to different configurations.
For the probe, practice assembling it. Start by having your pack on. Take your pack off, assemble the probe, and get your pack back on in 12 seconds. Do the same for the shovel.
Traveling in the mountains together as a group is all about having trust in each other’s abilities. In over 30 years of guiding I have only had to deal with three minor incidents requiring an immediate evacuation. We do not expect an accident but we need to be prepared in case there is one. The more we trust each other the more we will all enjoy our time in the mountains together because we know we are able to take care of each other in the unlikely case there is a problem.
SAFETY PLAN
Our safety plan is as follows:
The guides will carry cell phones and satellite communicators that we can use to call for outside help if necessary.
If anyone else has a satellite communicator please bring it.
The following safety gear will be carried by the guides and the group: extra clothing, first aid kit, repair kit, ropes, crevasse rescue kit, avalanche rescue equipment, emergency shelter, inflatable sleeping pad, heated blanket.
Self-rescue is essential in emergency situations. We will have safety briefings before and during the trip so you can work as part of the rescue team.
Outside help may be required for evacuation. Professional rescue services are fast to respond but only if the weather is good enough to fly a helicopter.
Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance
In nearly thirty years of guiding I have had only two guest evacuations from the field for minor injuries and one for a medical condition. The probability that we will need a rescue are low but if we do need one the financial cost could be high.
In Europe we may be charged for a rescue. This could amount to many thousands of dollars.
I recommend you purchase an Austrian Alpine Club membership, which includes rescue insurance for this trip. It will also significantly decrease the cost of your alpine hut stays. Membership will cost about 70 Euros. Other alpine clubs may also offer similar insurance and hut reciprocity deals.
If choosing a different rescue insurance provider understand that some may include “air ambulance” services, but this may not mean “mountain rescue” involving a helicopter. Research any insurance options carefully as to what they do and do not include.
If you want to research other options please go to my Mountain Rescue page for more information, but I recommend the Austrian Alpine Club insurance as the easiest option for this trip.
Medical insurance
Travel health insurance is ESSENTIAL as your Canadian plan will not cover all your expenses in case you need medical attention. Even a simple hospital visit will incur thousands of dollars in bills. Beware of plans that claim to cover mountain rescue as they may have a different definition of the term, make sure you question a representative carefully.
See options on my Cancellation Insurance and Health Insurance page.
Food and Medical Issues
If you have any food allergies or strong preferences or any pertinent medical issues that you did not indicate on your guest information form please make sure you let me know me as soon as possible.
What the trip price includes
The price includes:
One lead guide, one tail guide.
Guide expenses.
Hotel accommodation while in Solda/Sulden, including the night before the trip starts and the night after the trip finishes.
Breakfast while in Solda/Sulden.
It does not include:
Your transport to and from the start and finish of the trip.
Local transport if required.
Ski lifts.
Hut accommodation and breakfasts/dinners at the huts.
Lunches and snacks.
Alcohol.
Poor weather or conditions may interrupt all or part of our trip. You are responsible for any expenses incurred for yourself and the guides if we need to change plans.
Important Dates and Times
March 30
Everyone arrives at the Hotel Die Post am Orlter in Solda/Sulden. You should plan to arrive in the afternoon. We will meet there at 4 PM, sign waivers, discuss equipment and conditions, and have a safety briefing. Please arrive at our pre-trip meeting ready to start the trip. This means having your ski touring pack loaded and ready for inspection by me, having purchased your lunch food, and having enough cash.
March 31
Up early and have breakfast at the hotel. We are headed to the Marteller Hütte. We start with a short bus ride, then on to the gondola and finally a chairlift to the Madrtischjoch. From there we tour to the Marteller. If we still have energy we can tour above the hut and get a run back down.
April 1
Today we move to Rifugio Branca. There are a few options to get there, which one we take depends on conditions. We may be able to ski up a summit along the way. We stay at the Branca for three nights.
April 2 and April 3
Day trips from Rifugio Branca. Ascents of Pizzo Tresero (3,550 m), Punta San Matteo (3,680 m), Monte Cevedale (3,760 m) or Palon del Mar (3,690 m) are all possible. There are numerous north facing glacier runs available as well.
April 4
Ski to Pizzini Hut via a high col and perhaps a summit such as Monte Pasquale (3,553 m). Another north facing glacier run gets us to the hut.
April 5
We head back to Solda/Sulden. A summit and more skiing again possible! Our last night is at the Hotel Die Post am Orlter again.
April 6
We go our separate ways after the included breakfast at the hotel.
Paying for your expenses on the trip
You will need to pay as you go for some expenses on the trip. In Solda/Sulden you should be able to use credit cards. At the huts you will need to pay in cash. These are the expenses you should expect:
Depending on your tastes, expect €800 or more in expenses during the week. Bring this amount in cash.
There are two expenses that I originally budgeted for you to pay for but which I have had to pay up front. The Hotel Post accommodation includes dinner which put me over budget for the hotel expense, so that is €35/meal x 2 meals. The Rifugio Branca also required a €40 deposit, which is not normally required at the huts. So you can pay me €110 in cash when we meet for the trip.
Local transport. The local ski bus to get us to the lifts is free but there is a chance we may need to use a paid bus or taxi.
Ski lifts. Expect about €65.
Hut accommodation and food. Half board at Marteller is €70/person (1 night), Branca is €82 (3 nights), Pizzini is €86 (1 night). So about €402/person if you are an alpine club member (expect prices of about €100/night if you are not an alpine club member). Half board includes dinner and a light breakfast (usually including hot water and/or tea for a thermos).
Lunches (usually brought up from town), snacks, drinks (including water), and showers at the huts are all extra and usually we can expect about €50 per day. Six days, so about €300. You should be able to spend quite a bit less than this if you want but don’t expect to be drinking beer or wine!
GETTING TO Solda/Sulden
The closest major airport is Milan.
I have not mapped out the public transport options in detail but it looks fairly easy to get there by a combination of train and/or bus. Expect a full day of travel from Milan.
Driving time looks to be about 4 hours from Milan.
Delays and trip interruptions
Delays with international and/or domestic travel are always possible. Please be prepared for this possibility by giving yourself time to get to Europe and do not schedule important events right after the trip.
Poor weather or conditions may interrupt all or part of our trip. You are responsible for any expenses incurred for yourself and the guides if we need to change plans.
Travel Considerations
Ensure passports are up to date with the expiry date well after the trip ends.
Although most airlines will allow the canisters and batteries for avalanche airbag packs on the aircraft there are special regulations involved. Please check with your airline well before you arrive at the airport.
Although credit cards are accepted for most payments in towns ands cities, you need to have some cash on hand for the huts.
I advise getting €800 from your bank at home for the cash payments required, to avoid ATM fees.
Staying Connected
The simplest thing these days seems to be to get an esim for your device. We have been using Ubigi successfully.
Many phone plans in North America allow roaming overseas. It can be expensive, especially if you don't organize it ahead of time. Consult your local carrier.
There are numerous other options, do some Googling to see what you come up with.
The Skiing and terrain
As with any trip in any location we may get the best or worst week of skiing of the season but it will probably be something in between those two extremes!
We can expect early spring conditions for weather and ski conditions but we do need to be prepared for cold temperatures and storms as well.
The terrain is almost exclusively alpine and we can expect to get to elevations well over 3000 m.
There will be a significant amount glacier travel. In poor visibility travel can be slow or impossible and we may need to adjust our route and timing. We need to be prepared for avalanche conditions that may limit where we can go or weather that may create some poor skiing. This holds true for any ski trip in any mountain range in the world.
I can't guarantee the snow or weather conditions, but I can guarantee that I will provide a unique mountain and cultural experience that should include some good skiing and often includes fantastic skiing! If we go into the trip with the expectation of an enjoyable week spent in the mountains with friends we will not be disappointed.
Some LOGISTICS
Here are a few comments that should help you get organized:
Hotel rooms are double occupancy. There is one double bed and a sofa bed per room:
PO +1
Jess and Jordan
Alain and Dave
Margie and Mark
I recommend bringing at least some lunch food and snacks. Pre-made lunches may or may not be available from the huts but I have found they are on the light side and expensive. You can go light for lunches as usually we get to the hut in the mid-afternoon and can get a snack then. If you are on a budget bring all your own lunches and snacks.
There are snacks or late lunches available at the huts in the afternoon when we arrive, €10-20+. Beverages are available for €3-6, you may need to buy water. Good wine costs €20-35 per bottle. The water at the huts is officially not drinkable, whether it actually is will vary from hut to hut. Budget €50 per day.
When showers are available they cost around €5-7.
Bring a pair of compact and lightweight hut slippers. They don’t need to be warm down booties, just something to keep your socks clean. Some huts may have these available but some not.
Bring ear plugs.
A lightweight sleeping bag liner is required.
Bring a small amount of toiletries and a tiny camp towel. Shower towels are usually available for a fee.
See the gear list for more details.
Hotel post
4 star hotel. The Hotel Post is a bit fancier than I normally go for but accommodation that did not require multiple night stays was hard to find.
Breakfast and dinner included
Rooms have one double bed and one sofa bed each
Marteller hutte
2610 m
Shared rooms of 4-6 beds
Indoor washrooms and showers
Rifugio branca
2493 m
Double rooms
Indoor washrooms and showers
rifugio pizzini
2700 m
Double rooms
Indoor washrooms and showers
Equipment List
Staff
There are two guiding staff for the week:
Margie Smith: Margie will be tail guiding for the week. She will help out at the back of the group, help break trail when the old mountain guide gets tired, and generally just keep me in line. Margie has been a ski patroller, paramedic and emergency room nurse and presently is the Site Administrator for Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. She has completed her Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 course and the CAA Avalanche Search and Rescue course. She has extensive backcountry skiing experience. Margie still rolls up her sleeves and helps in the ER when it gets busy and is also an accomplished mountain bike racer.
Mark Klassen – That’s me. I’ve been working as a ski patroller, avalanche forecaster and guide since the mid 80’s. In the summer I guide mountaineering and rock climbing. I’ve been a fully certified ACMG/IFMGA mountain guide since 1996. Click here for my bio.
Questions?
If you have any questions let me know! Email me.
The bottom Line
If you get nothing else from this information package, please do the following:
Read and understand the waiver ahead of time. You don’t need to sign the waiver now, you will do that once you arrive for the trip.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.