Skitouren

Every year at the end of the season, PowderGuide invites all authors, ConditionsReporters, testers, snowstormers, PowderAlerters - in other words, the large PG community - for a weekend in the mountains as a thank you. It's not just about socializing, but also about sharing and discussing, as well as reviewing the season with all topics related to freeriding and ski touring - and of course being out in the snow. On Saturday, it is a tradition to offer one or more workshops - this winter, PowderGuide was able to win over snow rummager Lukas Ruetz, Lorenzo Rieg and Fabiano Monti and Walter Steinkogler from ALPsolut. This time they were invited to the very cozy Stuibenhütte, beautifully situated below the Alpspitze.

In mid-October, I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles. My company had recently opened an office in Hollywood and, motivated by the thought of exploring the Rocky Mountains this season, I brought all my ski equipment with me to the city of palm trees, movie stars and surfers.

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.

Ski touring has changed dramatically in recent years. Whereas 10 years ago, the "supreme discipline" of winter sports was still largely in the hands of mountain dwellers, took place in spring and was mainly for early risers, today there are so many facets that we can't even list them all. From freeriders who often only make short ascents with skins to get to certain lines, to "classic" ski tourers who are all about experiencing nature and summits, to the ever-increasing number of "speed" tourers who focus on fitness. In recent years, this development has led to a veritable diversity of materials, which has not even stopped at bindings.

In the next part of the Anno Dazumal series, Sepp Zangenfeind enthuses about strenuous tours, rewarding views and fast descents in the Kitzbühel Alps in an article from 1916.

"A true all-rounder with unique 3D.Ridge technology for the best stability and liveliness on and off the slopes." This is how the 90EIGHT is described by Völkl and I tested the ski for precisely these characteristics (all-round suitability on and off-piste).

Back in the 2014/15 season, Scarpa launched the F1 Evo, a boot that was set to revolutionize the world of ski touring. Unfortunately, the boot had to be recalled in February because in some cases the boot fell into the walk mechanism during the descent. This revolution is being relaunched in 2016. And PowderGuide is part of it.

Scott's popular Scrapper 124 now has a little brother, which is supposed to be more maneuverable and an all-rounder at the same time. The ski not only impresses with spectacular images on the screen in "La Liste", but also shows its best side in the endurance test. The combination of lightweight construction and racy downhill performance make the ski very interesting for freeriders who are prepared to take on the odd climb for a big mountain line.

Like its equally famous neighbor, Piz Palü, Piz Bernina is well known to almost everyone. As the easternmost 4000-metre peak in the Alps and situated in spectacular surroundings, it is often visited via various routes, with the most interesting skiing starting from the Diavolezza lifts.

The bobble hat used to be the best helmet for off-piste skiing. Nowadays, people (and women) often wear helmets on their backpacks when touring. This is only logical and, in my opinion, the helmet is far too often missing from the official list of safety components in off-piste terrain. The argument of additional weight only counts to a limited extent nowadays, as modern freeride helmets do not contribute significantly to the overall weight and hardly weigh more than an extravagant bobble hat. In any case, you hardly notice the Symbol helmet from Scott on your head or on your backpack on the ascent.

You only ski good powder once or twice a season. Carrying skis is part of it. The real touring season is spring.

The descent is definitely the focus of the tour for many, but more and more female freeriders are not just looking for the fluffiest and fattest deep snow slope. Lonely areas and secluded summit destinations, plus a little sweat and fitness training - freetouring is and remains the trend - even for us women.