After the amount of snow in our home region of the Allgäu was still rather sparse and we were only ever 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 1300 meters starting point up to almost 3400 meters.
"And if'it's nothing - then we'll just drive on" we remain on the phone the day before. But shortly after the turn-off in Rofla to Außerferrera, the entrance to the Avers valley, it became clear that we did not have to drive any further in terms of the amount of snow. Mrs. Holle had been very busy shaking out her pillows in the region over the last few weeks. The last snowfalls were just two days ago, with 20 to 30 cm on a well-set base of 2-3 meters of snow. The avalanche situation in the region went down from level 3 to 2.
1. Gletscherhorn (3,101 m)
We made our first stop in the village of Avers Juppa at 1,998 meters. A quick look at the slopes - Ok, on the south side, the March sun and sub-zero temperatures overnight had created a layer of hard snow on the 30 cm of fresh snow. So north-facing slopes - look at the map - we need a summit with a north-facing descent.
Ascent
We wanted to shorten the ascent to the valley a little by taking the only ski lift in the valley. And we took the first T-bar lift up to just under 2,600 m for the price of CHF 8. The first turns into the Bergalgatal valley confirmed our snow analysis about an hour ago: light cover. But no matter, we made huge turns southwards through the snow down into the Bergalga valley. When we reached the bottom, we realized that the lift had saved us exactly 30 metres in altitude. But no matter, photographer Martin had to break in his new skis...
The tour to the Gletscherhorn continues into the valley. At the Chalberhütte via Masügg and further in a south-easterly direction in the hollow parallel to the rock band towards Passo Predarossa, into the saddle at 2,987 m and over the steep final slope up to the summit.
Descent
For the descent, we choose the almost untouched northern gully with fantastic powder snow. We make our turns down to 2,400 m, ski up again and climb into the north cirque above the Passo Predarossa up to just under 2,800 m. Descent again with super powder back down into the Berggalga valley and the last flat meters back to Juppa on the cross-country ski trail.
Information
Starting point: Avers Juppa
Difficulty: ** (with descent through the north gully ***)
Exposure: N, E
Altitude difference start and finish: 1. 998 m | 3.101 m
Altitude metres uphill and downhill: 1,100 m (1,800 m with additional ascent)
Duration: 5.5 hours
To find accommodation, we quickly asked a young farmer in the valley, who recommended the "Hotel Bergalga" run by the Alp Genossenschaft. Unfortunately, all the rooms were occupied, but there were still a few places available in dormitory 1. By Swiss standards, the price with a delicious organic breakfast and evening menu is more than fair, which is why we set up camp here.
2. Piz Timun (3,209 m)
After a bad night with a snorer in the dormitory, we head out of the valley again by car to Innerferrera at 1,480 meters after an early and delicious breakfast.
Ascent
Starting point is at the parking lot in front of the sawmill. After the sawmill, take the alpine path to Alp Niemet at 1,899 m. From there, a stiff wind whistles across the slopes, the snow drifts only hint at the ascent tracks of our predecessors. Continue down the valley to the two streams, then head south up into a small steep hollow at 2,385 m, from there up to 2,465 m. Continue through a small valley up to 2,705 m, onto the glacier da Niemet and over the increasingly steep northern slope up to the ridge gap. With your skis on your back along the ridge to the summit.
Descent
The descent leads just below the summit into the very steep north-facing slope, in our case with hard packed snow, into the cirque. There we lay our lines in solidified powder before continuing through a natural halfpipe with super powder down to the alp and in the forest, always criss-crossing over pillows and keeping to the right towards the starting point at the sawmill.
Information
Starting point: Innerferrra
Difficulty: ** (with descent via summit slope ***)
Exposure: N, E
Altitude difference start and finish: 1. 998 m | 3,101 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: 1.800 m
Duration: 6 hours
3rd Piz Platta (3,329 m)
After another night disturbed by snoring attacks, take the car to the starting point in Avers Bach at 1,890 m.
Ascent
From there, climb steeply up the still hard south-eastern slope to just under 2,600 m to Bandsee, keeping left towards Tälihorn. Through the first steep couloir (north 45°) with skis on your back to the exit at 3,140 m. Now head north through the glacier basin to the start of the W ridge. Now ski on the back again through the south couloir (also 45°) directly to the summit of Piz Platta.
Descent
Descent on skis through the (hopefully now softened) gully. Then it's back along the ascent to the next gully. Entering on skis, the first few meters actively sliding sideways on a hard surface. Towards the bottom we find consolidated powder snow again. Now cross over to the left, down a short firn slope and over the Bandsee. From there, the now (hopefully) perfectly firn-covered slope over 700 vertical meters in one go down to Avers Bach.
Information
Starting point: Avers Bach
Difficulty: *** (when using the gullies ****)
Exposure: N, W, S
Altitude difference start and finish: 1. 890 m | 3,329 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: 1,650 m
Duration: 4.5 hours
After three beautiful days, we head back towards the Allgäu. We were looking for great slopes and gullies - and found them with great snow, from powder to firn. And all this in a usually "gentle" ski touring valley...
