Rigi: Alpine glow on snowshoes

There are those few minutes after sunset when the mountains begin to glow red and suddenly everything becomes still on the summit. The Rigi is perfect for this: in the west the sun sets, in the east the Mythen and the Glarus Alps stand just right to catch the last rays. **The ascent** We meet in the late afternoon at the cable car in Weggis and float up to Rigi Kaltbad. There’s a short introduction for anyone trying snowshoes for the first time. On the Winter Panorama Trail we stroll gently to Rigi First with a free view over Lake Lucerne, then down to Rigi Klösterli with its small pilgrimage chapel. From Unterschwändi the climb begins, past the Schochhütte and the Chäserenholz alpine dairy, all the way up to Rigi Kulm. Depending on snow conditions we’ll mostly strap on the snowshoes for this section, especially after fresh snow on the whole route. **The big moment** At 1,797 metres we wait for the show: the sun sinks, and the Mythen, Glärnisch and Tödi glow first gold, then red. Your guide captures the moment with you in the foreground and the glowing mountains behind. A portrait that’s hard to pull off with a smartphone. **Return by headlamp** Via Rigi Staffel and the Staffelhöhe we descend to Rigi Chänzeli, where Lucerne and Lake Lucerne lie below you like a sea of lights. For many, the loveliest part of the evening. From Rigi Kaltbad we all take the cable car back down to Weggis. If you’d rather not walk after the summit, you can take the lift from Rigi Kulm down to Kaltbad. **Key facts** Around 10 km and 550 metres of ascent, about 5 hours including the wait on the summit. **Requirements** You don’t need snowshoe experience, just the stamina for 4 to 5 hours and 550 metres of ascent. We go at a gentle pace on well-marked winter trails, with zero performance pressure. **Prices** CHF 130 per person in a group of 4 to 8 participants. Travelling alone or as a pair? The group is designed for that, and by the time you’re waiting for the glow you’ll know everyone. Prefer to keep to yourselves? A private tour costs a flat CHF 520 for up to four people. You can rent snowshoes and poles for CHF 50. **Your guide** Falko Burghausen from beAnywhere is a hiking leader, trail-running instructor and internationally awarded landscape photographer. You can find more snowshoe tours at beanywhere.ch.