Spitzmeilen Hut Snowshoe Hike

This snowshoe winter hike leads to the Spitzmeilen mountain hut near the Flumserberg ski resort. To reach the hike, you ride a gondola and chairlift. Then you leave the busy ski slopes behind and head out into a peaceful snowy alpine landscape surrounded by rocky peaks.

The hike starts on a relatively easy groomed path to Alp Fursch, a small hut offering refreshments to ski tourers and hikers. If you want a shorter day, you can do just this first section.

Or continue on a marked snowshoe path, climbing steadily up to the hut, burning a lot of calories to earn your lunch. At the Spitzmeilen hut, you can warm up and enjoy a hearty meal in the cozy indoor Stube, where large panoramic windows offer stunning views. Then return the way you came.

We really enjoyed this snowshoe hike, with stunning scenery and a rewarding challenge. If you’re looking for a memorable day in the mountains, keep reading to plan your visit!

Gallery

Trail overview

This map shows how to get to the Spitzmeilen snowshoe trail.

1. If arriving by public transport, train to Unterterzen and Seejet gondola to Tannenboden. By car, drive and park at Tannenboden.
2. Ride the BergJet gondola from Tannenboden to Maschgenkamm.
3. Get on Panüöl chairlift, which is just outside the gondola station to your left. Wait at the stairs for the operator to come check your ticket and open the gate so you can get on the chair lift.
4. Ride chair lift down to Panüöl. Follow the pink snowshoe trail signs to your right, direction Fursch.
5. Hike on either the groomed path or marked snowshoe route to the Alp Fursch hut, about 45 mins.
6. Continue on the marked snowshoe route to the Spitzmeilen hut, about 1h15.
7. Return the way you came.

Trail map

The map below shows the marked snowshoe path, starting at the bottom of the Panüöl chairlift to the Spitzmeilen hut. Return the same way. The path may be different when you go. Make sure to follow the pink poles that indicate the official snowshoe route.

See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

The first section of the trail to Alp Fursch has a groomed path used by hikers, cross-country skiers, and regular skiers. After Alp Fursch, it’s a snowshoe route marked with pink poles, which is sometimes groomed.

The trail is not technically difficult nor dangerous. But it does requires good fitness to manage the steep ascents. 

Shorter winter hike

For a shorter, easier day, you can walk just the first 45 mins of the trail, from the Panüöl chairlift to the Bergbeizli Alp Fursch. Then return the way you came. This section is groomed snow, so it does not require snowshoes. See trail map.

This hut is open daily during winter season, serving hot meals, drinks and snacks. 

How to get there

This trail is located at the Flumserberg ski resort in eastern Switzerland. You can reach the trail with the Flumserberg mountain lifts from Tannenboden.

To get to Tannenboden:

By public transport: Take a train to Unterterzen. Then ride the SeeJet gondola up to Tannenboden. This gondola is not included in the winter hiking Heidi Ticket described below.

By car: We typically park at Tannenboden, which has multiple metered parking areas near the BergJet gondola station. Best to arrive before 9am, especially on weekends, or you may have to park very far away.

Other option is to park at the Unterterzen lot next to the Seejet gondola – Walenseestrasse 17, 8882 Quarten. Then you don’t have to drive up the mountain on the winding road. In this case, you would ride the Seejet gondola up to Tannenboden. This Seejet gondola is not included in the winter hiking Heidi Ticket described below.

Planning your day

Tickets

You’ll need the Heidi Ticket for winter hiking. It includes round trip on the BergJet gondola (Tannenboden-Maschgenkamm) gondola and Panüöl chairlift.

You can purchase tickets online or at the ticket office onsite. Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, and GA. See current prices.

Note: The SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen is not included in the Heidi ticket. If you came by train to Unterterzen or parked there, you’ll need to purchase that Seejet ticket separately.

Opening Times

The Flumserberg ski lifts are open for winter season from mid December to early April. The lifts run daily from 8:30 to about 16:30. If there are high winds or poor weather, the lifts may close earlier. So check the forecast carefully so you don’t get stuck on the mountain. Check current opening times.

The snowshoe trail is The Spitzmeilen hut is open for lunch only Friday – Sunday. 

What to wear & bring

You’ll need waterproof winter hiking boots, snowshoes, and hiking sticks with snow baskets. 

Dress appropriate to the weather forecast. The higher parts of the trail can be very sunny, making you strip off some layers. But the lower part of the trail are mostly shaded by the peaks, especially in December and January. So bring warm layers and thick gloves in case temps drop and you find yourself shivering.

Learn more about what to wear for a winter hike.

Photo story of trail

Getting to the trail

This is the BergJet gondola station at Tannenboden, the base of the Flumserberg ski resort. There is a ticket office at this station.

Riding the BergJet up to Maschgenkamm.

This is the Panüöl chair lift that you’ll ride down from Maschgenkamm.

Here is the bottom of the Panüöl chair lift where you get off. There is a restaurant just above the station if you need a toilet or refreshments.

Start the hike

From the chairlift, turn right following these pink signs to Fursch. 

There is a groomed path for winter hiking and cross-country skiers. 

There is a parallel snowsnoe route, which is marked with pink poles.

The snowshoe path disappears sometimes and joins the groomed path.

Following the snowshoe path.

Headed down to Alp Fursch on the groomed path.

Beautiful views down into the valley.

Alp Fursch hut

After about 45 mins, you reach Alp Fursch, which has a cafe. Most people were eat outdoors on picnic tables.

Here is the menu: chicken schnitzel, sausage with coleslaw salad, and a cold platter with meat and cheese.

Lots of pretty scenes around here.

The wind made beautiful snow formations.

Continue on snowshoe route to Spitzmeilen hut

Just past Alp Fursch, there was this sign showing the status of the Spitzmeilen hut. Today it was “offen”. You don’t want to see “Geschlossen” which means closed.

More pretty stuff.

Now we are on the snowshoe trail with several ski tourers.

Looking back on the trail towards Alp Fursch. You can see the trail had been groomed recently but was also windswept. 

Lots of uphill. I had to take a lot of breaks to catch my breath.

The ski tourers didn’t stick to the marked path.

As you near the hut, the trail starts to flatten out.

Arriving at the hut

After about two hours, we arrived at the hut. I was pretty slow, taking a lot of pics.

We took off our snowshoes and left them outside the hut.

So happy to be warm inside. The windows were big letting in the view on all sides.

We had a typical hut lunch: Gersten (barley) soup and Älpermagronen with applesauce.

Hiking back

The way back was definitely easier, with more downhill. 

Ending back at the ski resort. It took us about 1h45 for the way back. Then we rode the Panüöl chair lift and BergJet gondola back to Tannenboden.

Hope you enjoy this snowshoe winter hike!

➡️ See more winter hikes near Zurich.