Snow of tomorrow | Public transport skitour crossing in a self-experiment

We dare to try it ourselves ...

A period of fine weather is just around the corner. The snow line is already very high, but there is still plenty of snow above it. Ski tours already require a high starting altitude if you're not into carrying your skis. The ski tour database in my head provides a clear result for the current conditions: perfect conditions for a traverse of the Ötztal Alps with a high start in the Kaunertal at 2,750 m, a detour into the rear Ötztal and ending at the Pitztal Glacier, the ski trail could still be covered in snow far into the valley and both valleys are well connected by public transport. What is still missing for a perfect skitour crossing are friends who are still motivated for skiing adventures in mid-June and who are not afraid of public transport, but fortunately I rarely lack that. Teresa and Dani were immediately enthusiastic about my idea. The rough route was quickly planned, the detailed planning will be postponed until the train journey, as there is still plenty of time for that. One of the things I like about public transport tours is that you can start your adventure in a very relaxed way. 

Let's go ...

As a team, we are perfectly coordinated so that the packing list and the distribution of equipment and food are quickly organised. Our different arrival routes converge at Innsbruck railway station. As experienced public transport riders, we've already attached our poles to our skis using the ski strap and stowed our boots and helmets in our rucksacks so that we're as compact as possible when travelling. When travelling through the mountains, you try to pack as light as possible. The argument of heavy luggage is therefore invalid. We earn surprised looks, presumably because of our ski equipment in the early summer temperatures, although it is at its most beautiful now and the chances of solitude on the mountain are high.

During the trip, we finalise the tour planning and think about possible variants in case the avalanche or snow situation on site turns out to be different than expected. It is essential to save the bus timetables offline for all variants, as internet reception can be scarce on the mountain. Having a battery pack in your rucksack isn't a mistake on tours lasting several days anyway. We are still worried about the thunderstorm forecast for the afternoon, but we should already be at the hut by then.

Will the peace and quiet last much longer here?

The area around the hut with Gepatschferner and Kesselwandferner is part of the largest continuous glacier area in Austria. In my opinion, this is one of the only areas of ice in the Eastern Alps that is reminiscent of the large glaciers in the Western Alps. It's hard to believe that this previously untouched natural landscape could soon be cut up by ski pistes and ski lifts. The Kaunertal glacier lifts are planning to open up this secluded natural paradise with new lifts. Benjamin Stern reports on this in his Powder-Guide article.

Good planning is half the battle, public transport makes it possible

The Fluchtkogel and Vernagtspitze are planned for the next day. The weather and snow conditions were in our favour and we were rewarded with sunshine and perfect firn. Arriving at our destination for the day, the Vernagthütte, we can't believe our eyes when we see two other ski tourers walking up from Vent who have already been carrying their skis for three hours due to the lack of snow. It's a good thing that our tour leads up again the next day, because the snow stops right in front of the hut.

Helpful tips

A sticker from POW (Protect our Winters), an environmental NGO that campaigns for sustainable winter sports and climate protection, is stuck to the skis of the two ski tourers. I often ask myself whether its members, of which I am one, are concerned about climate-friendly mobility and try to engage in dialogue. When asked about the form of travel, "public" is rarely the answer. I often hear that many starting points for various tours are not accessible by public transport and the journey takes too long. Of course, this is partly true, but there are often hiking taxis or similar means of transport that help to cover the last mile. Finding the so-called micro public transport services is not quite so easy. The website bedarfsverkehr.at, for example, provides an overview of services throughout Austria. Ski buses are often not included in the route planners, but are often an alternative for tours close to ski resorts, as they increase the density and frequency of the network.

Our attitude as a key factor

Public transport tour planning can be made easier using public transport ski tour guides or tour portals that emphasise public accessibility, e.g. alpenvereinaktiv.com has a filter function for tours with bus and train travel. The search engine zuugle.at links various tour portals with timetables. The argument about the long journey time is partly true, but can be reduced or invalidated by, for example, a longer journey time. In addition, the time on public transport can be used consciously, e.g. with tour planning, a breakfast or after-tour drink, a short nap or exchanging photos, which would take up time at home or in the guesthouse. "Long" is relative and, like so many things, is defined exclusively in our heads: if we are honest with ourselves, it all depends on our attitude: as soon as we are convinced of climate-friendly mobility, a positive argument is suddenly found for every negative one, a rethink begins first and foremost in our heads and this needs to be controlled.

Useful links:           

• Overview of transportations for the last bit of travel offers bedarfsverkehr.at

• An overview of the worldwide public transport network öpnvkarte.de

• Naturally with public transport! The best ski tours, trips and ski safaris from Munich by Rother Bergverlag

• Öffi Skitouren Nordtirol, Kompass Verlag

• Public transport touring tips on alpenvereinaktiv.com

• Search engine for public transport tours at zuugle.at