Totti Lingotti

Most outdoor enthusiasts know the Dolomites as a climbing El Dorado. For a long time, only a few were aware that the same applies to the freeride potential. Nowadays, the majority of freeriders know the powder hotspots of the Dolomites. However, due to the vastness of the areas, untouched slopes can still be found several days after the last snowfall. When it became apparent that a southerly storm would dump an acceptable amount of fresh snow in the Dolomites, the decision was quickly made - we set off for northern Italy – in search of deep snow and steep gullies.

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The third edition of the Bregenzerwald ski touring guide has now been published by Panico-Alpinverlag. The two authors Anton and Rainer Kempf know how to describe the numerous tours from Lech/Zürs to the Vorderwald in an accurate and straightforward manner. A special treat are the four crossings, which are described in an extra chapter.

The advertising slogan proclaimed by the Lötschberg Tourism Association about the Lauchernalp/Lötschental ski resort "An insider tip with guaranteed snow for all those who only want one thing from winter: glitter-soft, sunlit, virgin slopes!" is no longer entirely true. Unfortunately, it is no longer an insider tip...

This somewhat unusual ski and mountain tour starts at the mountain station of the Alpspitzbahn, which can be reached either from Garmisch-Partenkirchen via the Alpspitzbahn or from the Kreuzeck ski resort via the Hochalmbahn. A sporty alternative is to climb the first 1250 meters in altitude on skis or snowshoes via the Kreuzeck (1650 m) to the mountain station, saving some energy for the Alpspitz-Ferrata (via ferrata). Below the Osterfelderkopf summit, you have a wonderful view of the remaining 650 meters of altitude that lie ahead: The steep ascent through the north face to the 2628 m high Alpspitz summit.

The Gotthard is part of Europe's main watershed. The major Alpine rivers Rhine, Rhone, Reuss and Ticino have their source in the Gotthard region. However, we are more interested in the region's interesting ski and high-altitude tour destinations. This time we went on a one-day tour to the little brother of the Pizzo Rotondo, the Pizzo Pesciora. Although this is 70 meters lower at 3122 m, its summit ascent is classified as significantly more difficult.

Complete and utter skitour? At 4274 m, the Finsteraarhorn is the highest mountain in the Bernese Alps. It dominates the panoramas of the whole of central and eastern Switzerland!" That doesn't just sound incredible; it is! That's why the Finsteraarhorn was at the top of our hit list of Swiss 4000-metre peaks.

The alarm clock rings at half past three in the morning. Nevertheless, we are happy to finally get up, as the loud snoring of our roommates (even though we are equipped with earplugs!) has caused us to toss and turn more than we sleep. After a spartan breakfast, we set off with the first group at half past four in unpleasant temperatures.

A grand finale to an excellent winter. Hardly any other area in the Alps is as suitable for high-alpine ski tours as the Zermatt summit world of Monte Rosa and the peaks around the Saas Valley. Here in the heart of the Valais Alps, the four-thousand-meter peaks are closer together than anywhere else, and thanks to the strong glaciation, many peaks can be reached on skis. Just like last year, we are drawn to the brilliant mountain world of the Upper Valais at the end of the season; this time we opt for the third highest peak in the Mischabel group, the 4199 m high Rimpfischhorn.