Skitouring and camping in Switzerland - Flüella Pass i Sankt Antönien

Skitouring – escape from Coronavirus lockdown

It is already 4-5 weeks, since the quarantine started in Switzerland. We are working from home with the highest level of dedication, but we do not allow to lock ourselves entirely at home. Weekend is weekend. We reduced social contacts to zero, but no one can take a nature from us, and it is not the intention of Swiss government. This country is based on the highest levels of trust and respect.

Voila… while most of Europe stays at home, we went for a spring skitouring weekend. Do not blame us. It is actually the safest thing to do at the moment, and we do it regularly to charge our batteries. You know that Switzerland is perfect for that. While the weather is warm and sunny, it is enough to drive to higher mountain pass to start the skitouring trip straight from the parking lot.

Unlike last weekends, we decided for a full 2 days skiing. Consequently we went further than the usual 1,5 hours drive from Zurich. After Andermatt, Davos is the next area perfect for spring skiing, located in higher altitudes. This city, known for the World Economic Forum gatherings, is actually a Chamonix of eastern Switzerland. A paradise for outdoor adventures.

Saturday Morning. Fluella Pass.

The parking is located right before the pass entry gate. It is still closed in April to avoid the avalanche risk, but in May it should be open again. This is where most of the people leave their cars. Traditionally more than 100 folks came to spend some time with the nature and do some outdoor sports. For a Swiss person, closing the access to the mountains would be equal with losing their fundamental human rights. It is safe here and perfect for social distancing. There is a place for everyone in the mountains and isolation works at its best.

Skitouring route.

We have chosen one of the shorter routes this time – from the parking to Sentisch Horn (See the map below). The last part of the route was a bit more rough and icy, probably not the best for the beginners to try.

After skiing down to the car and some grocery shopping in Davos, we came back to Fluella Pass and stayed there for the night. A true ‘vanlife’ experience with thousands of stars, perfect sunset and sunrise in the snowy mountains. This is why is love this lifestyle so much.

Sankt Antonien

Sankt Antonien village lies at the altitude of 1450 meters, roughly 15 km from Davos. It is a known climbing and ski-touring paradise. Superb routes leads through many passes and the famous ”Swiss Door” leading to neighbouring Austria.

Sankt Antonien was our second day destination. My feet protested against the second ascent, but fortunately I was prepped. It was one of the most photogenic trips this season. Not a wonder why it is so popular. Again, we have seen a lot of campervans and met people on the routes, despite the quarantine. Tell me that swiss do not enjoy their lives fully.