Small Madrisa round
The plan was to do the classic Madrisa loop through the Klosters-Madrisa ski area in Switzerland. But then everything turned out differently...
Short Madrisa Loop
Unpredictable weather changes don’t always make it easy to plan tours. Lots of snow, little snow, storms, rain, and sunshine in constant succession show us that nature simply can’t be controlled. This was also the case on that Friday at the end of February when we finally wanted to do the classic Madrisa loop tour over the St. Antönierjoch and the Klosters-Madrisa ski area. A relaxed tour with mostly short ascents and long descents, plus a train ride on the Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland.
We met at 8:30 a.m. in snow-covered Gargellen with our mountain guide Hanno, right on time for the start of the Schafbergbahn. Even during the ascent, it became clear that we would have to wait it out and have some coffee, as the Täli (Ski Run 6) in the Gargellen ski area was closed due to the current snowfall. But the ascent to the St. Antönierjoch runs right along there. The poor visibility was another reason. So we stopped at the Schafberghüsli and hoped the (weather) situation would improve soon. One or two coffees later, unfortunately, nothing had changed regarding the closure, but the weather had, and Hanno suggested doing the “Kleine Madrisa Rundtour” instead. A pure ski tour with a bit more walking. Oh well, we thought, the main thing is we’re outside.
Up to the Gafierjoch at an elevation of 2,415 meters
And so we set off in a completely different direction, namely via the Gargellener Köpfe chairlift and the entrance to ski route 12.
There, we put on our skins and prepared for the approximately 400-meter ascent. By then, the clouds had cleared, and we were rewarded with perfect conditions: a blue sky and glistening snow.
After the mandatory avalanche transceiver check, mountain and ski guide Hanno led our small group and confidently carved a fresh trail up to the Gafierjoch at 2,415 meters. From there, a fantastic view over the Swiss Prättigau to the Rätschenfluh and the Madrisahorn accompanied us, leaving us in awe time and again.
The Madrisa Pass at an elevation of 2,600 meters
If you turn around, you can clearly see the mighty Three Towers and the Sulzfluh. The winter landscape is so beautiful that you almost forget how strenuous the climb was. Still, we were naturally glad when we arrived at the Madrisajoch—our destination at about 2,600 meters—and could finally enjoy our snack.
The untouched splendor of the Gand Valley lay before us
But a sudden cold wind had us packing up faster than expected, and before we knew it, we were ready to head down. And what a descent that was!
The entire untouched splendor of the Gandatal lay before us. In the most wonderful, light powder snow, we carved our turns down gently rolling slopes all the way into the Valzifenztal.
The temptation to hike back up right away was strong. But our craving for pizza was even stronger, leading us straight to the terrace of Pizzeria Barga next to the valley run. There’s probably no better way to end a day like that, right?
