Disentis, located in the Vorderrheintal valley, is no longer just whispered about as an insider tip among freeriders. But that doesn't matter, because Disentis has still lost none of its charm and versatility. The only disadvantage of Disentis is also a big advantage: the hidden location in the rear Surselva makes the approach a little time-consuming, but in Disentis you can usually still enjoy the great freeride terrain in untracked snow for several days after the last snowfall.
Disentis, which advertises its ski areas together with Sedrun, has a versatile and varied deep snow area that leaves nothing to be desired despite its sunny location. The main trump card is certainly the more than 1600 vertical meters that you cover with every run between the Lai Alv top T-bar lift and the valley station in Disentis S. Catrina. And the terrain is so varied that you can easily let off steam here for several days.
In addition to the obvious but limited and not particularly attractive freeride areas within the Disentis ski area, the side valleys of Val Gronda, Val Pintga and Val Acletta and Val Strem are particularly suitable for freeriders. From the top drag lift (Lai Alv - Pez Ault), simply exit to the right - and you're in! This descent ends at the valley station of the cable car and offers plenty of opportunities to play. You can easily spend one or two days here alone. Depending on the avalanche situation, you can choose from a wide variety of lines, from gentle to spicy steep. The long variant descent ends 1600 meters lower down in Disentis. At the latest on the forest path in Val Acletta, all the descents come together again. The last 300 meters in altitude are often a bit arduous and the narrow, mogul-like drag run requires a lot of responsiveness after the relaxed powder cruising. In spring, you often have to walk the last few meters to the gondola, but this only takes a few minutes.
The second part of the Disentis ski area has a chairlift (Parlet) and a somewhat hidden T-bar lift. Here, too, freeriders can enjoy some interesting downhill runs back to Disentis Acletta, although some of them run through a steep valley that is prone to avalanches and should therefore only be attempted when conditions are favorable. Especially in spring, ground and wet snow avalanches make this descent option risky and not very pleasant to ski.
But Disentis offers even more! The highlight of Disentis, the Val Strem, offers excellent, secluded descents to Sedrun, from where you can quickly return to the ski area by train (Matterhorn-Gotthardbahn) or cab. Access is either after a short ascent from the last drag lift (Pez Ault 2830 m), through a small rocky gap (see map). From there, you descend the first steep meters on a fixed rope until you can strap on your skis or board and have around 1500 metres of unrivalled freeriding fun ahead of you.
It gets even racier if you also ascend from the same lift in a westerly direction in a direct fall line to the ridge crest of Pez Gendusas at almost 3000 m altitude. Caution: This variant is only recommended if the avalanche situation is favorable, as the ski slope runs below the steep slope. Once you have reached the ridge, walk a few more meters to the left and you will find magnificent, steep, open freeride slopes through the Val Strem to Sedrun!
And if that is all gone, you can still climb up towards Oberalpstock. From the already familiar drag lift, first head north and then east. Either descend back down into Val Acletta to Disentis, or climb up the Brunni-Firn (glacier) via the rocky ridge secured with metal bars. From there, you can either descend via the Stremhröner through Val Strem to Sedrun and optionally climb the 3327-metre-high Oberalpstock or head north down the racy Staldenfirn, which is considered one of the greatest descents in Central Switzerland. Please note: this descent ends in the Maderanertal valley and the return journey by bus and train is somewhat inconvenient. Another option is the descent through the Brunni Valley, also in the direction of Maderanertal.
Freeriders are welcome in Disentis
This is not only due to the fact that the mountain railroad director is a mountain guide and enthusiastic freerider himself. In general, the ski resort operators are open-minded and freeride-friendly - so you can also ask the men from the piste service for advice and information.
Special tip
Even in spring, when firn conditions prevail, Disentis often still offers very good freeride conditions thanks to its sunny location. After the official end of the season on 19 April, the lifts are open at weekends until the beginning of May if conditions are good.
Map section of the Disentis/Mustér ski touring map
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