Freeride Engelberg-Titlis
The Big 5 of Engelberg
Five legendary freeride runs, all reachable directly by lift. Few places combine this much powder, vertical and variety – just one hour from Zurich and half an hour from Lucerne. Together, the Big 5 add up to around 5,500 vertical metres. On a perfect day and with good fitness, you can ski them all in a single day.
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The five runs, from intermediate to expert
01 · The powder guarantee
Steintäli
The perfect warm-up for the Big 5 – and thanks to its aspect, often still full of powder days after the last snowfall.
From the Jochstock top station, wide open slopes roll down almost all the way to Lake Engstlen. A short traverse or a hike towards the Wendenlücke rewards you with untracked lines even several days after a storm. An ideal warm-up run that combines nicely with the Sulz.
Good to know: Route finding below the Wendenlücke is tricky.
02 · The playground
Sulz
Small, Middle and Big Sulz: three variations, countless lines and terrain made for playing.
Wide slopes in different terrain pockets alternate with steep chutes and small cliffs to jump. The Small Sulz from the Jochpass is the perfect first off-piste run for newcomers. The Middle Sulz tempts everyone who loves to get airborne with its rock drops, while the Big Sulz lives up to its name with varied and sometimes demanding terrain.
Good to know: Route finding becomes difficult towards the end of the runs.
03 · The classic
Laub
Switzerland’s most famous freeride face: wide, consistently steep and impossible to miss, even from the village.
«Laub» is an old word for avalanche – and the huge face looks every bit as mighty. Its width leaves room for countless tracks and creative lines. The easiest option, seen from the top, follows the far right side via the Laub Planggen Alp into terrain steeper than 30 degrees. Because the Laub is so famous, it gets tracked out quickly on powder days – an early start pays off.
Good to know: All entrances are steep. With little snow, the upper section is very rocky. Please respect the wildlife protection zones.
04 · The glacier route
Steinberg
From Klein Titlis across the glacier down to Trübsee – high-alpine freeriding among crevasses and séracs.
You can already see the Steinberg from the revolving Rotair gondola: playful, rolling terrain dotted with glacier ice and rock bands. Every variation crosses the glacier in its upper section. The classic «S» line is the easiest and most rewarding way around the main crevasse zone. Other options include «GaF» (right by the rock), left of the cable car and «Never Sun».
Good to know: Danger of crevasses and falls! Take extra care in fog or poor visibility. A mountain guide is strongly recommended.
05 · The king’s run
Galtiberg
Around 2,000 vertical metres from Titlis to the valley floor – one of the longest off-piste descents in the Alps.
The crown jewel of the Big 5. From Klein Titlis, the route crosses the Galtiberg glacier, passes beneath the imposing Titlis north face and continues via Bödmen and Herrenrüti to the Fürenalp valley station. Wide slopes, wild terrain and the spectacular traverse make the Galtiberg something truly special, even for seasoned freeriders.
Good to know: High-alpine descent! The «Traverse» crosses a cliff with significant risk, and the «Graben» couloir is a dead end. Only ski this run with a mountain guide.
Staying safe on the Big 5
All Big 5 runs are unsecured off-piste descents. You ski them at your own risk.
Always carry avalanche safety gear: transceiver, probe and shovel, ideally an airbag backpack.
Check the current SLF avalanche bulletin before every run.
Steinberg and Galtiberg cross glaciers, where crevasses are a real danger.
Respect wildlife protection zones – they are vital for the animals’ survival in winter.
Ski the Big 5 with a local guide
Our mountain guides know every line, every crevasse and where to find the best snow of the day. Get the most out of your freeride day – safely and stress-free.