Oberaarjochhütte SAC – Remote High-Alpine Hut & Glacier Traverse Hub

The Oberaarjochhütte SAC is a remote and demanding high-alpine hut located near the Oberaarjoch, deep in the glaciated heart of the Bernese Alps. Surrounded by vast ice fields and far from any lift infrastructure, it plays a crucial role as a traverse hut on classic glacier routes linking the Grimsel, Finsteraarhorn, and Aletsch regions. This is a hut reserved for experienced alpinists and ski mountaineers.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Oberaarjoch / Oberaar Glacier, Bernese Alps, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 3,257 m

  • Type: Serviced SAC high-alpine hut (with winter room)

  • Capacity: Approx. 45–50 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-March to early May (ski touring) and mid-June to mid-September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)

• Access & Approaches

  All approaches to the Oberaarjochhütte are fully alpine and glaciated.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Grimsel Pass / Oberaarsee via the Oberaar Glacier

    • From Finsteraarhornhütte or Konkordiahütte as part of long alpine traverses

  • Ascent time: ~5–7 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~1,300–1,700 m

  • Terrain: Extensive glacier travel, snow slopes, moraines

  • Difficulty: High-alpine (PD)

  • Requirements:

    • Confident glacier travel

    • Rope and crevasse-rescue skills

    • Strong navigation and endurance

  This hut is rarely approached as a single-day objective.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Despite its isolation, the hut provides reliable SAC-standard shelter.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during the guarded season

  • Drinking water (snowmelt supply)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The winter room is basic and intended for full autonomy.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is expedition-oriented and quiet.

  • Energy-dense alpine meals

  • Guests are mainly alpinists and ski tourers

  • Evenings focused on weather analysis and traverse planning

  Early starts are universal.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard SAC hut prices

  • Discounts: SAC member discounts apply

  • Booking: Essential, especially in spring and summer

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Oberaarjochhütte is a key node in Bernese Alps high routes:

  • Glacier traverses toward Finsteraarhornhütte

  • Routes toward Konkordiaplatz and the Aletsch Glacier

  • Spring ski-mountaineering traverses

  • High-alpine link-ups across the Oberaarjoch

  All routes require full alpine or ski-mountaineering equipment.

• When to Go

  • Spring: March–May (ski touring)

  • Summer: July–September (alpinism & traverses)

  • Main risks: Crevasses, whiteouts, storms, isolation

  Stable weather windows and conservative planning are critical.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced mountaineers

  • Glacier-traverse teams

  • Ski tourers

  • Not suitable for hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 3,257 m, the Oberaarjochhütte SAC represents the essence of Bernese Alps high-alpine travel: long glacier approaches, vast ice fields, and meaningful traverses between major alpine regions. Its isolation and strategic position make it a cornerstone for serious alpinists seeking continuity across one of Switzerland’s most demanding mountain landscapes.