Stories from the Summit: LAS Students Climb and Ski 4000m Swiss Alps!

At the center of the LAS educational approach is the idea of experiential learning. By stepping beyond the classroom and into the breathtaking landscape of the Swiss Alps, students gain physical and technical skills and develop resilience, teamwork, and an appreciation for the natural world. The LAS Alpine Institute represents our commitment to experiential learning through outdoor education. Through inspiring adventures in the Swiss Alps, students at LAS build confidence and a sense of community with their peers. 

Last weekend, four students from the 4000m Club travelled to the iconic Saas-Fee region to attempt the 4027-meter Allalinhorn. After warming up with a session at a local climbing gym on Friday evening, the group rose early on Saturday to meet their mountain guide and begin the ski tour toward the summit. Two hours later, after moving roped together across snowy ridgelines and climbing with crampons, the group reached the summit cross, marking the students’ first-ever ascent of a 4000m peak in the Alps!

After a well-earned lunch just below the summit ridge, the group clicked into their skis and returned to the Saas-Fee resort. The group achieved an exciting milestone and learned foundational skills for safe travel in high alpine terrain—skills they’re already eager to use on their next adventure!

Meanwhile, members of the LAS Freeride Team also took to the mountains for a breathtaking weekend behind the Eiger. From the Jungfraujoch (the “Top of Europe”), the team made a ski ascent to 3700m before descending the dramatic Kranzberg Glacier to the Hollandiahütte, one of the Swiss Alpine Club’s mountain huts. The group enjoyed a warm meal and a peaceful night surrounded by the Alps. It was an unforgettable way to end a fantastic ski season!

At LAS, the mountains aren’t just a pretty landscape—they’re a classroom and a source of inspiration for our students during their academic and personal pursuits! We love providing trips like these for our students, which are made possible thanks to the generosity of the LAS Impact Fund Committee, whose support helps ensure that LAS students can engage with the natural beauty of Switzerland and experience outdoor adventures!