Skitouren

In the last part of Zach's South America reports of this year's southern season, he takes us to lesser known corners of the Argentine Central Andes on spring tours with tents, lots of wind, rocks, good and not so good weather and mixed feelings about the end of winter in summer:

"Is it time to stop seeing Dynafit as a purely ascent-oriented (ski) manufacturer?" The product developers probably asked themselves this very question a few years ago and expanded the range to include some downhill-oriented ski models. The Dynafit range is now divided into four areas: Race, Speed, Tour and Free. The Beast 108 is the widest and most downhill-oriented ski in the Free segment.

With the Alpha SK 32, Arc'teryx is launching a brand new winter sports backpack this season, which aims to score points with its simple design, light weight and extremely robust AC² material. We have already been able to test how the Alpha SK 32 performs on tours and in the ski area.

When the ski resort runs out of snow, you have to look elsewhere: Our roving Skibum reporter and South America correspondent Zach Paley reports on a multi-day tour with a tent and the challenges that come with it.

Skiing, snowboarding, friendly people, sparse birch forests and a volcanic region that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great base for a wonderful snow trip to another world.

Towards the end of the season, the focus shifts more towards firn descents, north faces and challenging, narrow residual snow couloirs. The cold and dark winter period was used by a small community to work ambitiously on the ideal setup for these goals. We are now proud to present the result of our hard work.

Those who embark on this 3- to 4-day ski crossing will immerse themselves deep in the glacier world of the Stubai Alps: Two exciting crossings, a bit of an alpine challenge and a Stubai Parade 3000 meter peak are on the program. In addition, there are magnificent descents and plenty of potential for steeper gullies, in other words everything the downhill-oriented ski tourer is looking for.

The cold wind and waves whip the cold sea water into our faces. Everything rocks wildly. Suddenly there's a bang! The fire extinguisher has flown out of its holder! This time one of the many waves has hit us directly. In the cabin, even seemingly fixed objects are now being flung from side to side.

Our roving ski-bum reporter Zach loves to spend his winters in Japan. Rishiri, the legendary volcanic island off Hokkaido, has been on his to-ski list for a long time. This year the time had finally come and the Gaijin crew made their tracks in the - would you believe it - fluffy powder on the spectacular Mount Rishiri.

When the conditions are right in spring, the Couloir du Pissoir is a more than worthwhile excursion destination in a high alpine setting. Our reporter Jan not only provides a tour description, but also - kissed by the spring muse - a poem about the tour.

In spring, when the fun of the lift becomes less for the common freerider and the joyful high skins become more, the additional equipment changes in small but important areas.

At 2,913 m, the Östl. Puezspitze is one of the highest peaks in the Puez-Geisler group in the Dolomites. In combination with the northern descent, this tour is certainly one of the most beautiful, but also most challenging undertakings in the mountain group.