Hochfügen

A week ago, two FWT stops took place in Kicking Horse (CA). At some qualifiers there were a few organizational uncertainties and disappointed potential participants over the weekend. Here is a short summary of the FWT and more details about the qualifiers in Hochfügen, at Hochfelln and the FWQ and FJT events in Alpbach.

Despite all the ISPO hustle and bustle, contests still took place last weekend. So that our readers don't miss anything, here is a brief overview of the events of the last few days, including results and videos.

The Freeride World Tour season opener should have actually taken place last weekend, January 28-29, 2017, in Chamonix. However, due to the poor snow conditions (see picture of the competition slope), the organizers decided to postpone the start of the season until Wednesday (2 February).

On the weekend of January 24-25, 2015, some of the best and most motivated freeriders from numerous nations gathered for the fifth time to take part in the 4* Freeride World Qualifier contest. Big Mountain Hochfügen is known for its superb organization and great flair - this year, despite high expectations, we were not disappointed ...

On February 8, 2014, Europe's contest freeride elite gathered once again in Hochfügen to collect valuable points for the Freeride World Qualifier Tour. The 4* event is a highlight for many of the athletes thanks to the perfect organization, the unique supporting program and the perfect terrain - and so, as every year, the numerous spectators were treated to an impressive show. Max Kroneck secured victory in the men's ski category, Flo Orley won the men's snowboard category, Lotten Rapp the women's ski category and Amber Schueker the women's snowboard category.

The Big Mountain Hochfügen 4* FWQ is now an established contest with a very strong field of riders on a slope that can easily compete with most of the FWT faces. This was one of the reasons why the podium places at the 2013 edition were mainly occupied by current FWT riders, above all Loic Collomb-Patton, who qualified for the World Tour with his victory and has been unstoppable ever since. While the conditions on the slopes were pretty good at times due to the difficult winter in the Northern Alps (PowderGuide tested them on site), the mild temperatures and foehn are currently putting quite a strain on the snowpack. Nevertheless, we hope for a successful competition from 08.02.2014 in safe conditions!

Last weekend, the freeride hotspot Hochfügen once again welcomed the best contest riders to the annual Big Mountain Event. The freeride contest is one of the top-class 4* events within the Freeride World Qualifier series and attracted many onlookers thanks to the good weather. For PowderGuide, participants Julian Zenzmaier and Jochen Mesle were there to report on their impressions.

After the kick-off in La Clusaz and the unfortunately canceled Engadinsnow, the top riders of the FWQ gathered in Hochfügen (Zillertal) in Tyrol from February 4 to 5, 2012 to really heat up the spectators despite (or perhaps because of!?) temperatures of around -20°C. The cold powder and the first-class starting field ensured a freeride show at the highest level.

The new Panico ski touring guide "Tux and Zillertal Alps" by Markus Stadler presents numerous ski tours from the Tux and Zillertal Alps. The tours presented are as different as the two mountain ranges themselves. They range from leisurely ski tours close to the slopes in Hochfügen to classic day tours in the Tux Alps, a popular region for ski tourers, to high alpine climbs, some lasting several days, to the glacier giants of the Zillertal Alps.

The Gilfert is not only one of the prime ski tours in the Tux Alps, but is also not far from the popular freeride spot of Hochfügen. As everything is quickly covered in tracks in the ski area, there are often only short ascents with skins. The nearby Gilfert, although much frequented, usually still offers space for fresh tracks in one of the numerous downhill variants.

Every year, new freeride films are released that present breathtaking action on the best faces in the world. But what is often missing in these films, or at least very briefly, are the parts of female actors. In view of what is currently going on in the women's freeride sector, it is nice to see that the ladies are taking their fate into their own hands and actively presenting themselves.