PartnerNews I Powderfest 2024 in the Montafon with Ortovox

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From Friday to Sunday, the Powderfest featured various workshops and talks every day. On Saturday and Sunday there was also a ski test with various manufacturers (Nordica, Head & Kästle) on site and there was a safety equipment hire from Ortovox. PowderGuide was there live for you on Saturday and Sunday and was able to accompany a Freeride Day and the Ortovox Safety Academy in addition to the exciting Powderfest programme.

Saturday: Ortovox Freeride Day

As the Montafon is easy to reach by public transport, we travelled there by train on Saturday morning. From Innsbruck, you can easily travel to Bludenz within an hour and a half without changing trains. From there, an S-Bahn runs to Schruns, from where you can stumble directly to the Hochjochbahn cable car or take a free ski bus to all other Montafon ski areas.

On the mountain

The meeting point was the car park at the Grasjochbahn cable car. Here I was warmly welcomed with coffee and breakfast and all the participants were able to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. After a short introduction, the equipment was handed out. I took the opportunity to test the Avabag Tour 36 S with the electronic LiTRIC airbag system for the first time (test report can be found here). I also had the Ortovox Diract Voice avalanche transceiver and, of course, a probe and shovel.  

Culinary fortified and equipped with equipment, we took the Grasjochbahn cable car up to the Powderfest event village, which was freely accessible to all visitors to the ski area. There we met our guide Simon Wohlgenannt, state-certified ski instructor, freeride coach, Ortovox athlete and organiser of the Powderfest. After a short safety check, we set off and spent the morning in the backcountry. In bright sunshine, Simon took us on a ski & hike to the Zamangspitze, where we were able to enjoy our snack with an impressive view before a surprisingly powdery descent awaited us.

After a short break with a drink and a few nice conversations, an Ortovox Care and Repair Workshop was also on the programme. As we all know, the most sustainable product is the one we already own - and the one that will serve us reliably for as long as possible. By treating our favourite items properly and using them for a long time, we not only protect the environment, but also our wallets. How do we do this? It's actually quite simple with a few service and repair hacks that I've learnt and of course don't want to withhold from you: many tips and tricks are not rocket science but are still worth mentioning. First of all, baselayers, especially merino wool. You should wash them infrequently, but air them out regularly. Merino wool has natural antibacterial properties, which means that it is largely self-cleaning. If the merino item is heavily soiled or washing is unavoidable, it is advisable to use a liquid detergent and avoid spinning. In the case of holes, the following applies: First Aid as quickly as possible, as otherwise running stitches will occur and the hole will get bigger and bigger. On the way, tape or plasters from the first aid pack (hopefully in your rucksack) can provide initial relief. It is important to cut the piece of tape round. The round shape distributes the tension more evenly, making the patched fabric less susceptible to tears or further damage. A similar procedure applies to insulating layers such as down jackets or fleece. Here, the insulation material can also be stuffed back inside using a blunt needle before it is taped up from the outside. Holes in shell clothing should be glued from the inside. Armour tape is particularly suitable for this due to its water-repellent properties. A strip just in case can easily be wrapped around the ski pole and is therefore always there when you need it. Shell layers should be washed if they become heavily soiled, as this can damage the impregnation. When re-impregnating after washing, spray impregnation should be used from the outside and not wash impregnation in order to maintain the breathable function of the material. This is because wash impregnations usually impregnate the entire material, including the pores or microstructures that are responsible for breathability. If these pores are blocked by the impregnation, the breathability of the material can be impaired, which can lead to an uncomfortable feel and increased heat build-up. For all items of clothing, it goes without saying that they should be placed in professional hands after the Quick Fix in the event of major damage in order to increase the lifespan of your favourite items. Ortovox, like some other manufacturers, offers a repair service.

In the evening, an exciting panel discussion took place on the topic of sustainability in outdoor sports, accompanied by a cold drink. In addition to Paul Kamphaus, Team Leader of After Sales Service & Mountain 2nd Life at Ortovox, athletes Simon Wohlgenannt and Julian Resch also had their say with interesting insights on the topics of product development processes, repair and care as well as creative upcycling. Paul Kamphaus, for example, gave insights into how the production cycle for the gloves could be optimised. For some time now, the offcuts from the merino clothing produced under the Ortovox Wool Promise have been recycled locally in production instead of Swisswool and used as high-quality padding for the gloves. This not only saves long transport routes, but also reuses valuable resources in a closed cycle. In addition, it turned out that the use of merino wool even leads to a higher thermal performance of the gloves. A real win-win-win situation.

After all the great impressions and a well-meant portion of sunshine, all that was left to do was fall into the soft hotel bed, ready to hit the snow again the next day full of energy.

Sunday: Ortovox Safety Academy

On this literal SUN day, the focus was on risk management. At the Ortovox Safety Academy with athlete and mountain guide Julian Resch, we first went on a short ski tour. Here, safety measures, including the avalanche transceiver group check, as well as assessment methods for terrain conditions were discussed and practised together. We then carried out an avalanche transceiver training course, where we practised the correct behaviour in an emergency and how to use emergency equipment when searching for multiple buried victims. It became clear how important it is for one person to take the lead and define responsibilities for coordinating the search, shovelling and informing the rescue services.

After another very eventful day, the programme was rounded off with lunch together in the valley. I'm delighted to have been there on behalf of PowderGuide and to be able to give you a few insights into the Powderfest.