Guidebook

High, Wild Mountains and True Wilderness in The Ortler

The Ortler mountain range in Italy is home to a peaceful and scenic hut to hut ski tour.

Approaching Cevedale

by Jon Morgan |

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Summit of Pizzo Tresero

by Jon Morgan |

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Nicola Parkin approaching the summit of the Cima Marmotta

by Jon Morgan |

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View looking down on the ascent route, from the Cima Venezia III

by Jon Morgan |

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View back up the valley you ski down to the Zufal Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Nicola Parkin above the Zufal Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Nick Wallis outside the Zufal Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Nick Wallis on the summit of Punta San Matteo

by Jon Morgan |

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Skinning up the glacier

by Jon Morgan |

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Nicola Parkin exploring a bivi hut on the ridge

by Jon Morgan |

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Nicoal Parkin approaching the summit of Punta Matteo

by Jon Morgan |

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Pizzo Tresero- steep descent from the summit if you are confident

by Jon Morgan |

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Final bootpack to the summit of Pizzo Tresero

by Jon Morgan |

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Early morning skinning up the glacier

by Jon Morgan |

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Beautiful glacial terrain with Konigspitze in the background

by Jon Morgan |

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Slopes east of the Martello Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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David Gerrard at the top of the access couloir

by Jon Morgan |

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Half way down from the Gran Zebru

by Jon Morgan |

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Looking back up the top slopes of the Gran Zebru

by Jon Morgan |

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Looking back up the couloir

by Jon Morgan |

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Martin Cooper at a steeper section in the couloir

by Jon Morgan |

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Dawn Start from the Zufal Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Dawn on Cevedale from the Martello Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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View from Palon di Mare to the peaks S of the Branca Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Looking back to the Martello Hut from the glacier below Cevedale

by Jon Morgan |

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David Gerrard on the summit of Cevedale

by Jon Morgan |

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The Branca Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Pizzini Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Mellow skinning above the Branca Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Branca Hut

by Jon Morgan |

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Description

Sitting just to the south of where Italy, Switzerland and Austria meet and lying in the Stilfsejoch National Park, the peaks of the Ortler are a ski tourers paradise. Many of the summits in the area are close to 4000 metres but none quite make it over the magic number. This might make it trickier to attract tourists than it would otherwise be, it does mean that these fabulous mountains are quieter than you would expect.

The terrain on this tour is varied and there are plenty of opportunities to bag some great extra peaks along the way should this itinerary not be taxing enough! Regardless of your exact itinerary, you are ensured of a warm welcome every night in the charming huts that provide accommodation along the way.

Ortler Ski Tour: Zufal to Martello Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Zufal to Martello Hut

Sulden
13.3 km1,533 m1,223 m46°
Day 2: A remote circular route accessing 2 summits and the opposite side of the mountain.
Difficult
Private
Ortler Ski Tour: Sulden to Zufal Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Sulden to Zufal Hut

Sulden
6.8 km459 m1,324 m39°
Day 1: A lift assisted positioning day with numerous options
Moderate
Private
Ortler Ski Tour: Punta San Matteo from the Branca Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Punta San Matteo from the Branca Hut

Sulden
12.2 km1,263 m1,263 m40°
Day 5: The highest summit in this part of the range with a variety of possible ascents and descents
Severe
Private
Ortler Ski Tour: Pizzo Tresero from the Branca Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Pizzo Tresero from the Branca Hut

Sulden
11.1 km1,290 m1,401 m47°
Day 4: A fine ski peak with a beautiful descent
Difficult
Private
Ortler Ski Tour: Northeast Couloir of the Gran Zebru from the Pizzini Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Northeast Couloir of the Gran Zebru from the Pizzini Hut

Sulden
6.1 km1,138 m1,403 m45°
Day 7: A fine summit with a very steep couloir descent. The icing on the cake of your Ortler extravaganza.
Severe
Private
Ortler Ski Tour: Martello Hut to Branca Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Martello Hut to Branca Hut

Sulden
17.2 km1,852 m1,949 m30°
Day 3: A huge mountain day with shorter variants
Difficult
Private
Ortler Ski Tour: Branca Hut to Pizzini Hut
The best Adventures on FATMAP, hand-picked by FATMAP’s Editorial team.

Ortler Ski Tour: Branca Hut to Pizzini Hut

Sulden
7.5 km953 m732 m42°
Day 6: An easier day to link two huts with a N facing descent
Difficult
Private