Daniel Schweiss
•
04/15/2012
The Lötschental now enjoys a big fan crowd and yet things are a lot more relaxed here than in many other freeride areas on this and the other side of the Lötschberg, which also forms the cultural border between the Valais and Bernese Oberland. The later in the year you make the pilgrimage here, the fewer freeriders and therefore potential competitors you will encounter. There is a good reason for this, as the varied terrain around the Lauchernalp is mostly south-facing and therefore anything but a powder guarantee in spring. Turning away from the sunny side of the Valais is the Bernese territory: the shadowy world of the deep-cut Gasteretal valley, which hides some of the best and most easily accessible steep descents. However, there is one small drawback to the story; but more on that after the descent...