The Pischa ski area has been marketed as a freeride area for some time, but has long been a hot tip among connoisseurs as a starting point for countless variants. One of the most beautiful and remote leads from the summit of the Pischahorn down the east side to Berghaus Vereina. Instead of hiking for miles through the narrow Vereina valley, the Wisshorn is another summit destination. But this summit has to be earned, without a doubt. But the effort will pay off many times over when you plunge into one of the two rarely used north- or west-facing variants. First lines guaranteed!
Tour description
After you have comfortably gained the first 700 vertical meters on the antiquated Pischa gondola, it's time to earn your turns! On a mostly existing track, you leave the ski area, which is usually spared the usual hustle and bustle, behind you and set off towards the Pischahorn 2979 m, which soon appears strikingly in the not too distant distance. It is a pleasant climb of around 550 meters to this almost three-thousand-metre peak. Once at the top, you can enjoy the panorama for a few moments, which is quite impressive in all directions. The Wisshorn (2832 m) is not quite as striking in a north-easterly direction. The trained eye immediately recognizes the potential of this mountain, but before you can enjoy it, many a drop of sweat is required as a tribute. But why worry about it when you first have over 1000 meters of the best descent ahead of you?
These can be destroyed in different ways depending on the conditions. The best option is the descent directly east of the summit. However, all factors have to be right here as it is steep, rocky and in February 2012 was in rideable condition for the first time in years, but absolutely brilliant! So you shouldn't rely on it and rather expect to find your luck south-east of the summit on open and less steep slopes. Basically, two valleys separated by an obvious rocky ridge lead into the eastern slopes of the Vereina Valley. Within these two more or less distinct valleys, there are again numerous variations, which unfortunately can often only be seen from below. At the P. 1902 bridge, the tracks merge and you are faced with the decision of either taking a rather boring hike out of the Vereina Valley or tapping into your stamina reserves to tackle a few more vertical meters to the summit of the Roggenhorn or Wisshorn. To at least make the choice of summit easier, the Wisshorn 2832m is preferable in terms of descent and solitude.
However, the 920 vertical meters to this beautiful summit are no walk in the park. You almost certainly have to make your own tracks. First you follow the Vereinabach stream to the east and then head steeply up into the lonely Ochsentälli. At 2500 m, a pronounced couloir becomes visible in the steep southern flank of the Wisshorn. The exposure is south-facing and you should definitely take this to heart, because if you are too late or the temperatures are too high, this is a no-go area. You can demonstrate your hairpin skills in the couloir, but sooner or later you won't be able to avoid a bootpack. Only a few meters separate you from the summit and once you reach the top, the euphoria is sure to be overwhelming. Klosters greets you far ahead in the valley, but otherwise the impressive mountain scenery dominates. Once again, a decision is required: west flank or the steeper and more challenging route through the north couloir to Roggen? The second option is quite breathtakingly steep at the top and is also only accessible in very good snow conditions.
Whichever option you choose, first lines are as good as guaranteed! In terms of avalanche risk, both require safe conditions. The western flank leads you back to the Vereina Valley, from where you can reach Novai on tracks that are almost always present. Once you have decided on the north couloir, you meet the downhill route from Roggenhorn in Roggen, which meets the Verstanclabach at approx. 1550 m after a few more beautiful slopes. As far as Novai, you also mostly follow existing tracks. All variants merge in Novai and from here everyone shares the same fate, as it is another 3 kilometers on a more or less flat cross-country ski run to Monbiel, where post buses leave for Klosters every hour...
Conclusion
Admittedly, a long, challenging tour, but easily possible thanks to the Pischabahn. In addition, the conditions have to be perfect in all respects, especially for the Wisshorn section. But once you've made it and successfully completed the route, you won't forget this day in a hurry! From the Pischahorn and, of course, from the Pischabahn mountain station, you can reach other, less "strenuous" variants that will make pretty much every freerider happy, regardless of their level. Enjoy!
Information
Difficulty (5-level scale): ****
Special dangers: note the daily warming on south-facing slopes, often steep, avalanche-prone terrain
Average steepness/maximum steepness: 30°/45° (summit slope Pischahorn, north couloir Wisshorn)
Exposure: E-N-W
Altitude difference start and finish: 2979 m | 1291 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: 1470 m | 2.550 m
Duration: approx. 7.5 hours
Best time of year: January - March
