Gear of the Week | Figl - Spring fun with tradition

Origin of Figln

The origins of Figln date back to the 1930s. The first ideas for skiing on firn with short skis came from Graz and Innsbruck - among others from mountaineers who were looking for an uncomplicated descent over soft snow. The work of Emo Henrich, an alpinist from Innsbruck, who developed the first prototypes together with his club colleague Otto Streng in the 1950s and even patented the firn gliders, was particularly influential.

What began as a practical means of transportation quickly developed into a spring classic in the Alps - with its very own spirit: uncomplicated and fun.

gear of the week

presented by

Paul Quarg

Nordkette, Innsbruck

Pascal Schindler

Figls around Innsbruck

If you've ever spent spring in Innsbruck or been out and about in the Alps, you're sure to have seen a few people with short skis strapped to their backpacks: As soon as the sun gets higher and the snow gets really slushy, young and old alike flock to the Nordkette in Innsbruck to ring in the Figl season. Because the snow is so soft, deep gullies form in the tracks that are often skied, in which you sometimes stand "waist-high" in the snow.

The great thing about Figln is that you don't actually have to be a skier to get down well on the snow. You can easily brake by leaning slightly backwards - as the Figl ends directly behind the heel, there is a lot of friction there. In addition, Figl skis are usually made of metal and therefore don't get as fast as real skis - which makes the whole thing more controllable and more accessible for beginners.

I'm unfortunately not writing this article out of enthusiasm this year, but out of heartache. After the worst winter I've experienced in Innsbruck (it's my fifth), there is unfortunately not enough snow on the Seegrube. But the hope lies in the north or east gullies, which you have to earn on foot - with Figln in your backpack, of course.
A personal tour tip for experienced Figlers: Rosskogel Ostrinne

DIY Figl in full swing

Pascal Schindler

Nordkette, Innsbruck

Hannes Hemper

No Figl at hand?

If you don't own a niche product like the Figl, you can easily make do: For 8 euros, you can hire firn gliders from the Alpine Club - even cheaper for members. Or: build it yourself!

I took this route because I still had an old pair of skis that I converted together with a friend into probably the "fastest" Figl.

Stay tuned for the Figl DIY workshop next week!