Freeride · Engelberg-Titlis · Big 5
Titlis Laub – Freeride over Engelberg
The Laub is a long descent over the North West slopes above Engelberg. Around 1200 meters in elevation and easy accessibility make the slope well known; steep approaches and the large avalanche catchment require careful route selection.
- Area
- Titlis, Engelberg
- Category
- Freeride
- Difficulty
- 3 of 6
- Season
- December – March
- Start
- approx. 2,450 m above sea level.
- Goal
- approx. 1,247 m above sea level.
- difference in height
- approx. 1,200 vertical metres
- Aspect
- North-West
The difficulty is a local rating of 1 to 6 and no avalanche warning level. The season and altitude information describe the route; the drivability is assessed for the respective day.
Organize the line in the terrain
Map and Topos
Configure access, departure, and exit before the start. The maps do not show the current avalanche or glacier situation. For details, open the original and keep an offline map ready.
enlarge ↗
enlarge ↗Access, departure and return
Route description
From Stand or Laubersgrat to the start
The starting point is at around 2’450 meters. Depending on the access route and the chosen The variant is diverted into the North West slopes in the area of the Lauber Ridge. It must be clear before entering which line is being driven on.
Down the open slopes of the Laub
The wide slopes offer plenty of space. Skier's Right stays on the right-hand side when viewed from above and is considered the easiest option. The «Middle» line leads directly through the central slopes. Tiefenstein and Langwand are further to the left and are steeper.
Direction of Alp Laub
In the lower part, the lines lead towards Alp Laub. Terrain transitions, wind slab and the amount of snow determine which exit is sensible. When there is little snow, individual sections can be stony.
Return via Restaurant Ritz
The normal exit follows the terrain towards the Restaurant Ritz. From there, you can get back to Engelberg or to the connections in the valley.
Plan each line individually
Departures and variations
Skiers' Right
The comparatively easiest route through the undergrowth. From the mountain station, you cross to the right and drive over the open slopes towards Alp Laub. Subsequently, the route follows the grounds towards the Ritz restaurant.
- Simplest option
- Popular line
- Stony in places when snow is thin
Mitte
The classic descent directly through the central slopes of the Laub. Instead of traversing early to the right or left, you ski straight down the large open slopes.
- Impressive slopes
- Many lines possible
- watching skiers above
Tiefenstein
A significantly more direct option through the steeper sections of the Laub. After the upper slope, keep left and continue towards Tiefenstein.
- Steep up to 40°
- Frequently windslab
- More sophisticated line choice
Langwand
The Langwand forms the left-hand boundary of the Laub. Depending on snow conditions, attractive lines can form here. The entry points are sometimes steeper and require a good assessment of the conditions.
- Steep up to 40°
- Demanding entry
- Often less travelled
What matters
Key points and planning
The width of the slab should not be confused with the low avalanche danger. The entrance is steep; loose snow and groups above it are to be considered.
The TITLIS cable cars carry the leaves as one of the Big 5 with around 1200 meters in depth. The normal route and variants via Tiefenstein or Langwand remain to be planned differently.
avalanche report and check the weather, take into account the observations on the ground and make a new decision before each departure. A ratio report describes its time of recording and is not a clearance of a route.
For your planning: TITLIS: Freeride areas and safety ↗ · Protected areas ↗ · Open facilities ↗
Appropriate to route and conditions
Equipment and requirements
- LVS equipment, probe and shovel per person; regular training in search and rescue of companions.
- Ski or snowboard for off-piste use, helmet, warmth and weather protection, and first aid supplies.
- Current map offline, loaded phone and enough reserve power for the return journey or the sections that have to be done on foot.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Titlis Laub suitable for beginners?
For good skiers with some initial freeride experience, the «Skiers Right» variant is suitable. Nevertheless, the terrain remains alpine and unpisted.
How steep is the Laub?
The main slopes reach around 30°. Variations such as Tiefenstein or Langwand can be significantly steeper.
When are the best conditions?
Usually between December and March, but the current snow and avalanche conditions are the deciding factor.
Do I need a mountain guide?
For those unfamiliar with the area and in difficult conditions, a mountain guide is recommended.
Local knowledge and joint planning
Ski the Laub with a local mountain guide
We choose the area and the departure point based on your driving ability, the snow cover, the avalanche situation, and the visibility. For alpine variants, we clear access, equipment, and possible foot sections before the day.
Planning for the whole area
Freeride & Ski Touring Map Engelberg-Titlis
The map on a scale of 1:25,000 shows the freeride descents and ski tours in the Engelberg valley. Skiers Right, Mitte, Tiefenstein and Langwand are marked in the Laub. In addition, there are notes on alpine hazards, pistes, mountain railways, car parks and restaurants.
