SKI TOURING
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SKI TOURING The Ötztal Alps, with its range of stunning peaks, offer one of the best European ski touring areas. Located along the border of Italy and Austria, the Ötztal glacial mountain range is a perfect ‘ski touring playground’. Tempting slopes guarantee great skiing and high peaks offers a challenge for every ski touring skier. With the find of the famous 5300 year old mummy Ötzi - the ice man, the Ötztal Alps present a mystic bond with the pre historic and present time. You’ll experience warm Tyrolean hospitality in the first-rate huts with good food, beer on tap, hot showers and nice cosy private rooms and dormitory style accommodations. This ski touring trip is a great classic ski touring experience. ABOUT THE AREA We usually do a round trip in Vent, a loop, also called “The Ötztal Haute Route” and a 6 day tour which can be easily adjusted to your ski capabilities and snow conditions. We’ll traverse hut to hut along the way, have the opportunity to climb some of the highest Austrian peaks, including the Weisskugel, the Similaun and the Wildspitze which is also Austria’s second highest peak. You’ll spend 5 nights in the huts with half board service.
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You should be fit enough for 6 hut to hut days of hard work (5-8 hours per day) and capable of skiing in different types of snow. To ascent some summits it is important you have basic mountaineering experience because we’ll have some crampon work with a couple of easy rock moves. Previous ski touring mileage is essential (Ötztal ski touring trip is similar to classic Houte route from Chamonix to Zermatt). It’s very important your ski touring equipment is in perfect shape. ABILITY LEVEL: ADVANCED- I can link, without traversing, at least 10-15 short or long radius turns off piste in any kind of snow. I have good control and choose where to turn most of the time. The thought of fresh powder excites me and I enjoy the challenge of difficult snow. I can sideslip forwards and backwards, sidestep up and down, and can ski 35- 40 degree slopes. I ski off piste whenever I can and enjoy skiing far from the lifts/pistes. FITNESS LEVEL: D - I can ski all day and hike/skin for 4-5 hours every day (1000-1400m).
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MARCH TO MAY. Please note if you are a group of 2 or more people, we can arrange bespoke tours designed around you. Please contact us for more details on this. TYPICAL ITINERARY SATURDAY: Arrive in Vent and settle into the hotel (Vent can be reached by public transport or car from Innsbruck). We’ll meet in the evening to discuss the weeks plan, do a kit-check, etc. SUNDAY: A short and easy day. Ascent from Vent through the Niedertal valley to the Martin Busch hut (2,501m), 3 hours. In the afternoon we’ll have time for avalanche transceiver training. MONDAY: Early start. We head for the Similaun (3606m). A great peak with splendid views. From the summit we ski down to the new Similaun hut (3019m) where we spend the second night. TUESDAY: A great day. After breakfast we first go to the Tisenjoch, a place where Otzi – the ice man was found and further on to Hauslabjoch (3276m) where we have different options. We can climb Finailspitze (3516m) or ski down a bit and climb Saykogel (3360m) or ascent towards Fineil Kopfe from where we ski down through a steep glacier. We finish this day at Schone Aussich hut (Bella Vista hut) (2842m), one of the best huts in the Alps with a sauna, Jacuzzi and spa.
WEDNESDAY: This day may be the highlight of the trip. After breakfast we ski down on piste in the ski resort (Maso Corto) and take the chair lift – in direction of a peak Egg (3217m). Ski down to the Hintereis glacier and climb Weisskugel (3739m), second highest in Ötztal Alps. A wonderful peak with superb views on the neighbouring mountains. Summit climb requires crampons. Ski down to the Hochjoch Hospiz hut (2413 m). THURSDAY: After breakfast we head towards Guslar Spitze (3126m). We have an alternative with more distant Fluchtkogel (3500m). In any way we finish the day with a tour on Vernagth hut (2755m). With Guslar Spitze this is a nice and relaxing day. FRIDAY: Another great day. After early start from the Vernagth hut we descend on Vernagth glacier. From there we ascent towards the saddle - Brochkogeljoch (3423m). On Taschach Glacier we skin up 300m below the summit of the Wildspitze. The final climb to the summit requires crampons with a couple of easy rock moves. Wildspitze (3774m) with its summit, the highest mountain in the Ötztal Alps and second highest in Austria, will reward us with great and spectacular views on the whole eastern Alps mountain range. From the summit we descent on feet, we ski a short distance to the Mitterkarjoch (3470m). Below this is a steep section to get down to the Mitterkar glacier and the final 1500m ski descent to Vent where we finish our trip. SATURDAY: Departure
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2. Poles
FROM MOUNTAIN HUTS
The Austrian huts have a good reputation where you can expect good food, beer on tap, hot shower and nice cosy private rooms and dormitory style accommodations. They are basic but are still comfortable, food is usually on a set menu basis (3 course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/ cereal for breakfast) and we offer a vegetarian option. Often there is no running water and so you have to buy water to drink and wash with (no showers). You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping arrangements are normally dormitory style bunk beds (e.g. 6 people on the bottom, 6 on the top) with blankets or duvets, so you don’t need a sleeping bag. Huts provide slippers to be worn inside. You can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view! Kit List Unfortunately we can’t recommend a specific brand and model for each item on the kit list, as what is available is constantly changing and, of course, different people are different shapes and sizes with different budgets! However, in general, we use and endorse Black Diamond and Sherpa products because in our experience they are excellent… If you go to a good retailers such as Snow & Rock, explain to them you will be back country skiing and they will be able to advise you on what is best for you. Bring this list with you… Lastly, if necessary it is possible to rent most hardware items in Vent. You can hire boots too, but this is a last resort (no one likes uncomfortable boots). 1. Skis with touring bindings - we recommend skis that you will enjoy skiing on, but are not too heavy, eg Rossignol B2 with fritschi bindings. With skins and ski crampons.
3. Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots if possible. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! ‘Fit’ is more important than whether a boot is ‘stiff enough’ or not. I use a touring boot that is designed to ski well, rather than ultra-light. 4. Rucksack - 40-50l. with ski straps 5. Water bottle 6. Transceiver, probe, shovel, crampons, ice axe, harness, 1 screw gate karabiner, head torch 7. Sunglasses, goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/ block 8. 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops 9. Lightweight Gore-Tex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves (when skinning) 10. Insulating layers. I use a thin ‘100’ weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket (thin). 11. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. 12. Sleeping bag liner (you don’t need a sleeping bag as duvets/blankets are provided in huts) 13. Cash (Swiss Francs) for travel expenses and extra snacks in the huts Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix.
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not work overnight and the fittest athletes train as part of their lifestyles and have been doing it for years. Consider training for a good couple of months before coming out to the Alps.
Good fitness will make it more fun and you’ll get more out of your week! Although we will tailor the course to your ability, we definitely recommend getting as fit as possible before you start. The process of training for your goal will help you focus on your goal - and having a goal will help you focus on your training. Ski mountaineering is all about being able to exercise at a moderate intensity for many hours (typically 5 to 12 hours) and your training should reflect this. Probably the best training is going for a long hill walk or cycle as this simulates the real thing as closely as possible and prepares the mind (exercising for long periods in poor weather requires mental strength!). However not everyone has the opportunity to do this and so alternatives such as jogging, cycling and gym workouts are just as good. The focus should be on training Cardiovascular Endurance for long days in the mountains. For cardio cycling, running and rowing machines are much better than weight training, which you should try and exercise for up to a couple of hours at a time, 4 times a week. Also yoga, swimming and Pilates help with core stability and balance, with squats and cycling a good way to strengthen your legs. Remember to build up your workouts over time. If you are not used to exercising much, your muscles and joints need time to build up to avoid injury. Try and choose an activity that you enjoy and keep a note of what you do and your times – this really helps with keeping the motivation up and preparing for the ski tour. If you are not used to training then your local gym will be able to advise you on a plan and schedule to help you achieve your goals. Remember training does
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You can get to Vent using public transport which is just over 2 hours by train or over 1 hour if you choose to travel by car from Innsbruck. Local airlines also fly to Innsbruck from many airports across the UK. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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