SKI & SNOWBOARD TOURING
Ski touring takes you steps away from the marked ski area to unspoilt valleys and runs.
Hike up away from the top station of the lift, leave the crowds behind and enjoy unspoilt nature, stunning scenery and a breathtaking panorama.
Appreciate these moments before the excitement kicks in of what’s to come – endless turns in untouched powder-snow or spring-snow.
TOURS FOR
EVERYBODY
We offer a variety of ski tours to suit all abilities and ambitions. Choose one or multiple days for you, your family or group of friends – ski and travel safely in backcountry terrain.
See our tour suggestions below and take the first step to the top, book with us is – book safe, ski tour safe.
SAFETY FIRST
For all our ski tours and freeride descents, safety comes first. We always adapt downhill runs to the current snow conditions and constantly re-evaluate the safety situation. Complete avalanche safety equipment is mandatory for all off-piste runs and is either provided by us or available to rent from any of the sports shops in St. Anton if required.
FAQ’S
- WHAT IS SKI TOURING?
Typically, ski touring is done in the backcountry or off-piste areas with access via the lift network and uphill travel made possible with skis and skins. Ski touring boots, skis, skins etc. are required and safety equipment is mandatory.
- WHAT IS FREERIDING?
Freeriding is something you enjoy in the off-piste parts of the Ski Arlberg area. You try to find your ‘line’, which gives you the biggest thrill going down at high speed – any steep slope or narrow couloir, combined with jumps. It demands a very good physical condition and good strength in your legs. Quiet often freeriders choose to climb (carrying skis or with ski touring equipment) to reach their favourite spots.
- WHAT ARE THE MAXIMUM GROUP SIZES FOR SKI TOURING?
For safety reasons we limit this to 8 people maximum.
- WHAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED FOR SKI TOURING?
We can provide safety equipment, subject to availability, if you do not have your own. This is what you will need: backpack with ski or snowboard carrying system, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe. We recommend off-piste skis which can be rented from sports shops locally. Ski touring equipment is also available to rent from local sports shops: boots, skis, skins, poles, split boards.
- WHAT DO I NEED FOR SKI TOURING?
- Mountain rescue and accident insurance – please check you have this before you come to St. Anton.
- Safety equipment – if you have your own please bring: A backpack with a carrying system for skis or a snowboard, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe. Please ensure your transceiver has new batteries and the latest updates. (We can provide equipment, subject to availability, if you do not have your own.)
- Freeride skis – available to rent from local sports shops.
- Ski touring equipment – boots, skis, skins, poles, split boards are available to rent from local sports shops.
- Helmet – highly recommended for your safety.
- Goggles – required to enhance visibility in varied weather conditions and as protection for skiing at high speeds.
- Gloves – we recommend ski touring gloves, and a spare pair is recommended in case yours get wet.
- Spare clothing – especially for ski tours so you can change out of sweaty tops before you start the descent.
- Sun protection – sunscreen, lip salve, sunglasses.
- Water, snacks, energy gels etc.
- Lift pass – available to buy at the main lift stations.
- WILL MY TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER ME FOR ACCIDENTS AND OFF PISTE MOUNTAIN RESCUE?
Please check with your insurance provider before departure and if not, we recommend this one.
- WHAT ARE YOUR TERMS & CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICY?
Please click this link for full information “Terms and Conditions”
PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO EAT and ski ARE ALWAYS THE BEST PEOPLE
PRICES
Season 2020/21
The following non-binding guide prices apply (according to the recommendation issued by the Austrian Association of Mountain and Ski Guides):
DAY TOUR 5 HOURS FROM € 345
or 6 hours from € 390
PRICES ARE FOR 1 PERSON
each additional person € 30
VAT included
Avalanche safety equipment is mandatory:
Backpack (with Airbag), avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe.
Can be provided, subject to availability.
BACK COUNTRY SKI TOURS & FREERIDE WITH LONG ASCENTS: SUGGESTIONS
EASY Rossfall Scharte (2.730 m)
Easy panoramic ski tour for beginners with two downhill possibilities
The tour starts comfortably by taking the Rendl gondola and the Riffel I chair lift up the mountain. From here the crossing into the Moos valley is a short, easy ascent (without skins) and a great panorama opens up into the valley. We stay on the south-eastern side and start our ascent after a further crossing. After 430 meters of altitude difference, which we easily master in long zig-zag bends, we reach the Rossfallscharte.
The Descent
Option 1: We make our turns alongside our uphill tracks on the numerous wide and flat slopes. With this route we enjoy a descent of about 900 metres until we reach the Rossfall hut. From here we follow the path to the north, either back to St. Anton am Arlberg or to the Maaß chair lift. To reach this lift in the Rendl ski area, we follow a wide forest path, shortly after the Tritsch hut, which leads slightly upwards through the forest to the lift. We cover this path on foot, which takes about 20 minutes.
Option 2: Alternatively, the descent to the southeast into the Malfon valley is also possible. This particularly scenic route leads over long powder-snow or spring-snow slopes to the Malfon hut. The last part of the descent leads along a forest road to Pettneu. Depending on the snow conditions it might be possible to descend all the way to the Wellness Centre in Pettneu and from here a bus or taxi will bring us back to St. Anton am Arlberg.
MEDIUM Ridge of the Wildebene (2.350 m)
An intermediate ski tour to the rarely visited Wildebene ridge. This route requires ski touring experience and is rewarded with a great descent.
We start our ski tour at the top of the Albonagrat chair lift. From here we ski across to the small snack station Albonagrat and here we keep left before we start our first ascent to the Maroikopf. The ascent is easily recognisable, mostly groomed and there is also a trail to the cross at the summit. After about 20 to 30 minutes we reach the summit and descend in a southeast direction to up above the Kaltenberg hut. Here, we begin the actual ascent to the Wildebene ridge. At the start, the path is still moderately steep over a hill and we keep to the left. A steeper right turn follows, then we continue to the steep north-eastern slope that leads to the summit. The closer we get to the summit, the more difficult the tour becomes, especially the last zig-zag turns which require experience.
The descent
On the ridge, the southeast slopes beckon. We ski down into the plain and keep left above the forest line. The goal of the wonderful descent is the forest path in the Verwall valley, which we follow to the Verwall inn. From there we take the bus back to the ski area of St. Anton am Arlberg.
DIFFICULT Kaltenberg (2.858 m) – Bettmerkar
For experts with an excellent fitness level, this ski tour has a fantastic downhill run.
We start our ski tour at the top of the Albonagrat chair lift. The first short ascent to the Maroikopf takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The ascent is easily recognisable, mostly groomed and there is also a trail to the cross at the summit. From Maroikopf we leave in a south-easterly direction until we reach the Kaltenberg hut where we put the skins on. After the first steep section, we keep heading south or southwest and reach the Maroi valley via Rücken and Mulden. For the first time we can now see the Kaltenberg with its long glacier on the north side. We continue towards Kaltenberg lake, then we cross the glacier in long zig-zag bends and finally reach the top under the summit cross.
From here, we either make our way to the summit cross at 2858 metres or immediately start the descent. For this, we descend about 150 metres, cross left and walk about 50 metres to the small col that forms the entrance to Bettmerkar.
The descent
The magnificent descent from Bettmerkar into the Nenzigast valley begins at an altitude of around 1500 metres. Once in the valley we follow the forest path to Langen and from here we take the train or bus back to St. Anton.
Alternatively, a descent alongside our uphill tracks is also possible, skiing back to Verwall via the Maroi valley and finishing at the bus stop at the Verwall Inn. From there we take the bus back to the ski area of St. Anton am Arlberg.
