Skitouring Arlberg: Erlijoch

10.02.2011

After exploring the area the last few days…today we gonna take it easy and go for good pow turns…yes, you still find them even in these kind of snow conditions…probably staying on north faces might be a good choice…

The great thing about this tour is to be able to enjoy good skiing even before you start hiking…from the Valluga-lift down towards where you start skinning we had great powder conditions.

No matter how great the skiing probably looks on the skiers left side, make sure to stay on the skiers right side, especially in these kind of snow conditions. At the moment it’s almost not possible to pass the cliff band on the skiers left unless you jump or straight line one of the couloirs.

on the way up with the first ride down in my back...

After you have an enjoyable, easy and quick walk up on skins all the way to the Joch and some great riding first towards the Stuttgarter hut and further on into Paziel valley where you get back into the ski area of Zürs.

We chose one of the super nice and a bit steeper couloirs on the left, and found some good firn conditions there.

What another great day!

Skitouring Arlberg: Augstenberg

08.02.2011

Another perfect day for skitouring in the Arlberg region is ahead...how cool is it to look out of the window early morning ... get hit by bluebird and the rising sun and get ready be outside...

Todays goal: Augstenberg starting from Rendl ski area into the Moos-valley. 

Although there was a bit lack of snow, and the steep part right after the dam was super icy, it was great fun to finally reach the sun. After this first part you find an enjoyable walk all the way to the top.

cold and ice early morning...

...slushy and sunny after...

stunning views from the top...

From there we decided to take the risk and ride down towards the ice fall…cruising down the first slope was definitely worth to take what came after.

While sliding down the ice fall I would have loved to have my ice axe, which was still lying back home.

sharp edges needed!!!...thx to Toko for providing me with great stuff!!!

A few turns later in variable snow conditions we ended up hiking down an ice avalanche, holding on to trees, following the paths of the mountain goats, all the way to the verwall bus station.

Oh yes, I guess a great tour if there would have been enough snow to ride all the way down ;-)…and yes, we have definitely earned a beer after at Rendl beach...watching the area of our todays tour!

catch ya', 

Tine

Skitouring Arlberg: Hochkarspitz

07.02.2011

Still searching for great skiing we hike up to Hochkarspitz with a great run at the back all the way down to St.Jakob in mind.

Again our starting point leads us early morning to the top of Riffl II chair lift at Rendl. Riding into the back of Rendl towards is already a great fun warm up run untill we start skinning to the top.

In perfect weather conditions we find many options to choose from for our ride down. Finally we chose a steep option, which is usually tricky to ride at this time of the year due to danger of avalanches.

Yes, it definitely was the right decision to take that route. A bit of windpacked powder in the top part, a nice little cliff drop and just fine conditions in the middle section. The lower part all the way down to St.Jakob was a bit hard to ride due to old frozen avalanches underneath but absolutely worth to go!

Here are some impressions:

Skitouring Arlberg: Kreuzjochspitz

05.02.2011

Although it’s still February it already feels like spring time here in St.Anton. Skinning up in t-shirt and open pants in the sun is great fun. The good thing is, that it’s possible to ski some really cool steep stuff...

Today we decided to hike up to the top of Kreuzjoch and ski a great run down to Pettneu passing by the Malfon-valley.

Starting from the top station of Riffl II in the Rendl ski area early morning followed by an easy and enjoyable hike we reach the top in quite good conditions. 

Especially the view from up there is extremely stunning.

For our ride down we chose a steep and pretty narrow couloir which ends in a big snowfield right underneath the first rocky part. We were super lucky with the conditions and had a great run...especially the run out all the way to Pettneu.