Welcome Innsbruck - Winter 2015 / 2016

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WELCOME || 28
I nnsbruck is nothing like any other city: It is a mecca, a paradise,
a place to be for ski tourers. Sounds like the average advertising,
but it is a fact that Innsbruck is a real Alpine city, where it is com-
mon for locals to squeeze in a ski tour before or after work. On the
weekends, half of the city’s population pilgrimages into the moun-
tains, because what else would you do with them? Even Reinhold
Messner, one of the most famous mountaineers, answered the ques-
tion why he liked hiking in the mountains simply with: “Because they
are here.” People who don’t hike definitely miss out on something
and will find themselves with nothing to say, leading to embarras-
sing silence, when the mountain enthusiasts start raving about it.
Essential knowledge for ski touring
It is really important to know all about the right equipment, safety and
risk reduction and to go with someone that is experienced if you are
not. Basically, it is a game between illusion and reality. Illusion is while
you are up there above the clouds, and as long as you haven’t got back
to reality – back down to your starting point – you are not safe. Consi-
dering all the dangers and risks that come along with this Alpine sport
and the amount of people doing it in Innsbruck, relatively few accidents
happen. Anyway, ‘learning while doing’ is definitely not advisable when
it comes to this sport, as you won’t have too much of a learning effect
when you are buried under an avalanche. So, if you are a full beginner,
you should never go by yourself. The best option is to go with experi-
enced friends or – of course – a certified mountain guide. From a sta-
tistical point of view, avalanches are a rare occurrence, but neverthe-
less they happen. To ensure that this situation does not arise in the first
place, Austria’s first educational ski touring trail was built in the Sell-
rain Valley: Starting from Praxmar it takes its participants to the summit
Lampsen and offers information points along the way, imparting abso-
lute essential facts about ski touring. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!
On-piste ski touring
Ski touring on a slope is a good option for ski tour beginners and the
not-so-experienced as it is safe and easy to get up and even easier
to ride down again. On-piste ski touring has developed into a trend,
which was criticised a couple of years ago. Nowadays, no one gets an-
noyed by it anymore. Anyway, there are certain rules that should al-
ways be followed. The Austrian Authority for Alpine Security Surveil-
lance together with the cable car companies and Alpine institutions
has prepared some recommendations for people ski touring on the
slope: Follow warnings and local regulations at all times.
1. Stay off closed slopes and areas. The use of piste-maintenance ve-
hicles – especially with cable winches – or explosives in avalanche
control can lead to life threatening situations. Therefore, slopes
can be shut during operating hours of such machines.
2. Only hike up on the margin of the slope and behind each other.
3. Cross the slope only in fully visible areas and with enough distan-
ce to each other.
4. Only use the side areas on fresh groomed slopes.
5. Tracks that froze overnight can strongly affect the quality of a slope.
6. Leave the slopes before 10:30 pm or refer to the operating hours
of the relevant ski area.
7. Make yourself visible: Use a headlight and reflective clothing etc.
when it is dark or in poor visibility.
8. If there are slopes especially for ski tourers, use only those ones.
9. Don’t bring dogs on the slopes.
10. Only use designated parking spaces and pay for possible parking fees.
SAAC Basic Camps
Off-piste loving people and those who would like to try should par-
ticipate in the free of charge, two-day avalanche camp. True freeride
freaks such as snowboard pros and mountain guides will teach you
theoretical and practical aspects about this fascinating passion. On
the first day, basic knowledge will be taught in theory and on the se-
cond day, you will go off-piste with the certified ski and mountain gui-
des and put what you have learnt into practice. Participation is free of
charge and the avalanche equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel,
and probe) can be rented for free as well. ||
TOURS AROUND INNSBRUCK
• Innsbruck offers more than 40 ski tours for all levels in its
stunning surroundings.
• In 2010, ski resorts have opened selected slopes to ski tourers
(even after regular operating hours on certain days).
• Ski tours in Innsbruck and surroundings can be found here:
USEFUL ADDRESSES
• Information about current snow conditions:
• Call daily starting from 7 am for details on the current avalan-
che situation: +43 800 800503 (toll-free service hotline)
• The Austrian Alpine Association provides more useful informa-
tion:
• The SAAC camps teach you all you need to know about
avalanche hazards:
More information on safety in the mountains can be found on
Innsbruck’s Tourism blog:
EN