SAC-rating for the difficulty of snowshoe tours

The duration of a snowshoe tour is not taken into account for the rating of the difficulty of tours. For all tours good knowledge of orientation devices (map, compass, altitude meter or GPS) and good skills for choosing a route are necessary. The corresponding requirements and severity usually increase with increasing difficulty. In addition for all tours (except WT1) it is recommended to carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. The difficulty ratings are considered guidance levels for good snow and weather conditions as well as good visibility and are only valid for the path done with snowshoes.


WT1 Easy snowshoe hikes

Grounds < 25°. Generally flat or not steep. No scarps in the close vicinity. Danger: No danger of avalanches no danger of slipping or falling Requirements: no knowledge of avalanches necessary Tour examples: Buffalora Jufplaun; Goldau Wildspitz; Zettenalp; La Lécherette Mt. Chevreuil; Chasseron


WT2 Snowshoe hikes

Grounds < 25°. Generally flat or not steep. Scarps are present in the close vicinity Danger: Danger of avalanches no danger of slipping or falling Requirements: Basic knowledge of assessing the danger of avalanches Tour examples: Val S-charl (valley); Parpan Churer Joch; Dreibündenstein; Realp Tiefenbach; Hundsrügg; Solalex Pas de Cheville; La Dôle; Alpe Casaccio Campo Solario


WT3 Challenging snowshoe hikes

Grounds < 30°. Generally not steep to moderately steep. Short steep sections (steeper than the generally indicated steepness) Danger: Danger of avalanches, almost no danger of slipping. Short, sliding areas which end gently Requirements: Basic knowledge of assessing the danger of avalanches Tour examples: Munt Buffalora; Mattjisch Horn; Buochserhorn; Hengst (Schrattenflue); Turnen; Bürglen; Staldhorn; Croix de Javerne (N-Ridge); Campo Solario Passo del Sole Cap. Cadagno


WT4 Snowshoe tours

Grounds < 30°. Moderately steep. Short steeper sections (steeper than the generally indicated steepness) and/or slope traverses. Partially interspersed with rocks. Glaciers with few crevasses Danger: Danger of avalanches. Danger of sliding and risk of injury. Moderate danger of falling Requirements: Good knowledge of assessing the danger of avalanches. Good snowshoe technique. Basic knowledge about alpinism Tour examples: Piz Calderas; Schilt; Bannalp Chaiserstuel; Hohgant; Steghorn; Wistätthorn; Col de Chaude-Rochers de Naye; Madrano-Föisc


WT5 Alpine snowshoe tours

Grounds < 35°. Steep. Short steeper sections (steeper than the generally indicated steepness) and/or slope traverses and/or rock sections. Glaciers Danger: Danger of avalanches. Danger of falling. Danger of falling into crevasses. Alpine danger. Requirements: Good knowledge of assessing the danger of avalanches. Good knowledge about alpinism. Safe walking with snowshoes Tour examples: Piz Kesch; Piz Buin; Sustenhorn; Wildstrubel; Wandflueh; Äbeni Flue; Strahlhorn; Pigne d'Arolla; Basodino


WT6 Challenging snowshoe tours

Grounds >35°. Very steep. Challenging sections and/or slope traverses and/or rock sections. Glaciers with a lot of crevasses Danger: Danger of avalanches. Danger of falling. Danger of falling into crevasses. Alpine danger Requirements: Good knowledge of assessing the danger of avalanches. Very good knowledge about alpinism. Safe walking in sections with rocks, firn and ice Tour examples: Piz Palü; Tödi; Galenstock; Wetterhorn; Jungfrau; Mont Vélan; Pizzo Campo Tencia

(Many thanks to 360 for the translation!!! Source in German)