Graubünden

The Scott Speedguide is available in 2 versions, one with 80mm and one with 95mm underfoot. The 95mm (actually 96mm) version was tested in 178cm. Normally, here a ski review would summarise the description on the manufacturer's homepage. For me, however, this usually reads like the address on the back of a bottle of red wine and I think most of you will be more interested in how the ski performed in practice.

One man's sorrow is another man's joy, as the saying goes. This was also the case with the last PowderAlert, or rather the heavy snowfalls, which not only kept the avalanche warnings busy, but also the civil protection. The Davos department of the PowderGuide editorial team was evacuated due to the avalanche danger and had to leave their home. How do you feel when something like that happens? Steffen reports:

The Dynafit brand is the epitome of mountain endurance sports. The brand values are speed, lightness, endurance and technology. Dynafit's traditionally ascent-oriented ski lineup has now evolved into four different divisions: Race, Speed, Tour and Free.

The Piz d'Err is one of the highest mountains on the Julier Pass, the gateway to the Engadin. Although the mountain itself is well-known, it is not overrun in winter. This is probably mainly due to the fact that the climbs are a little more challenging or involve an overnight stay in a hut. However, the descent and the panorama make up for every drop of sweat burned on the ascent.

For historical reasons alone, you should take the old cogwheel railroad from Davos to Schatzalp once in your life. By the way, with what is probably the cheapest tour ticket in Switzerland, you also gain a good 1000 meters in altitude and thus save yourself a good portion of climbing effort. Although the whole undertaking is not quite as healing as it was for the guests of the old sanatorium, which is why Thomas Mann, among others, wrote a book or two here, ascent-supported ski tours in this climate certainly have a healing character.

At 3,147 m, the Flüela Schwarzhorn is the highest peak in the landscape around Davos, a classic in winter and summer and popular with young and old alike. The mountain got its name because the black pyramid on the summit is the most striking feature when viewed from Davos.

A look at the map of fatal avalanche accidents in the Swiss Alps over the last 20 years shows that a particularly high number of fatal accidents occurred in Valais and Graubünden (Fig. 1). What is the reason for this increase in accidents? Is touring activity higher in these areas, resulting in more avalanche accidents? Or are there other reasons for the increased risk of avalanche accidents in these regions?

A little away from the hustle and bustle of the upmarket Swiss ski resort of Davos, on the Flüela Pass just behind the gondola station of the "Pischa" ski area, there are plenty of opportunities for ski tourers. One of the most rewarding tours is the ascent to the Sentisch Horn. The tour offers various options for different skill levels both on the ascent and descent, and the predominantly north-facing exposure means there is a good chance of good snow.

As the amount of snow in our home region of the Allgäu is still rather sparse and we were only ever busy looking for a few powdery gullies, we needed a change. Without further ado, the search for more snow brought us to the Aver Valley, a side valley of the Hinterrhein. This valley offers tours from a starting point of 1300 meters up to almost 3400 meters.

Towards the end of winter 2012/2013, eight skiers from the Arc'teryx freeski team met up near Davos to discover the previously unknown Vereina Valley in Graubünden at the first Wilderness Camp. The focus of this wilderness camp was to master first ascents and ascents together in a lonely mountain world and to exchange ideas about the different philosophies of freeriding and backcountry skiing. Hanna Finkel took part in the Arc'teryx Wilderness Camp and reports on her experiences, the lines she skied and her adventures.

The tour to the Flüela Wiishorn, one of the 460 3,000-metre peaks in the canton of Graubünden, is very popular and easy to reach from Davos thanks to the Flüela Pass road. For those in good shape, she recommends the descent towards Jöriseen, which generally offers good powder conditions thanks to its northern exposure, and the ascent back to Wäschchuchi and from there the descent back to the car.

The friendly freeride contest Kick the Vik is taking a step back to its roots this winter season and is bidding farewell as a qualifier for the Freeride World Tour. From March 22 to 24, 2013, the SAC Maighelshütte on the Oberalp Pass will once again be taken over by a manageable number of deep snow enthusiasts on one board, two thick slats or heel-free. The most impressive line choice and riding style will also win on the contest day. Freeride World Tour criteria ?! No thanks! Our roving reporter Hanna will be at the start again this year at Powderguide to report for you.