Thanks to a combination of lift and bus connections, the tour to the Gamskogel from the Axamer Lizum allows you to collect plenty of downhill meters without having to exert yourself too much on the ascent. In addition, the tour offers many options that can be combined as the mood takes you and, thanks to the shady orientation of the slopes, good snow can often still be found a few days after the last snowfall.
Ascent
The tour starts from the parking lot of the Axamer Lizum ski area. Take the Olympiaexpress up to the Hoadl Haus (tickets for a single ride are available for € 10.5). Once you leave the mountain station and look south, you can already see your destination.
At the end of the valley, on the eastern side of which the Kalkkögel are enthroned, you can already see the Gamskogel in the distance. But before you head towards the summit, there is a hike and a very rewarding descent (optionally, you can also head southwest from the mountain station into the valley towards the "Kemater Alm", from where the ascent with skins begins). First follow the piste ("ladies' descent") southwards until it makes a 180 degree turn at the ridge. It is best to start directly from the bend with skis or a board on your backpack along the ridge in the direction of a clearly recognizable high plateau. The trail is usually always marked by an existing track, as it also passes the starting points of many variants that lead back to the ski area. Once you reach the plateau, you continue southwards (usually on an existing track), where after a few hundred meters you can choose from various options for the descent to the southwest. In addition to many small gullies, there are also some large gullies to choose from, some of which can even be skied from the summit. The descent is in the direction of the Kemater Alm, which is clearly visible in the valley. Depending on how far you want to descend, you can choose the starting point for the ascent towards Gamskogel. It is possible to cross to the left immediately after the gullies turn into open terrain and thus save a few meters of ascent, or to descend completely to the hut and then follow the slightly longer standard ascent route. The ascent always heads south over slightly copied terrain past the Adolf-Pichler-Hütte until you reach the somewhat steeper western slopes near the head of the valley. These could be described as the key section of the tour and you should get a good idea of the prevailing avalanche situation before continuing towards Seejöchl. From the yoke, you continue along the wide ridge to the 2659 m high summit of the Gamskogel.
Descent
If the conditions are right, you can descend more than 650 m down the sometimes very steep northern slope into the neighboring Senderstal valley. Alternatively, you can also ski down along the ascent track.
Always following the stream, you now descend approx. 300 m to the Kemater Alm. There you can fortify yourself on the sun terrace for the descent down the toboggan run into the valley. Please note: there are always pedestrians on the toboggan run and some sections are often very icy or covered in snow in spring. The last few hundred meters down to the village of Grinzens are mostly along a forest road and then along a small side road until you reach the main road. There is a small bus stop on the left, from where a bus runs to Axams (next stop, interval usually 30 minutes at weekends, 15 minutes on weekdays). In Axams, you then have to change again in the direction of Axamer Lizum to get back to the starting point. Alternatively, you can leave your car at the bus stop in Axams in the morning and take one of the ski buses to Axamer Lizum from there. The buses are usually free during the ski season with ski equipment.
Difficulty (5-level scale): ***
Special dangers: Pay particular attention to the risk of avalanches on the descent from the ski area to the Kemater Alm, on the crossing to the Seejöchl and on the descent from the summit.
Maximum gradient: 40°+, exposure: N
Altitude difference start and finish: 1664 m | 2,659 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: approx. (up to) 200 hm + 850 hm | 750 hm + 1000 hm
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Directions: Inntalautobahn towards Innsbruck, first exit west of Innsbruck "Kematen/Sellrain", in Kematen follow the signs towards Axamer Lizum.
Address: Axamer Lizum, Lizum 6, A-6094 Axams
Literature tip:PowderGuide.com Tirol: The best freeride tours
