The tours from Ehrwald into the Mieminger Kette, especially into the Brendlkar, Drachenkar and Igelskar are much-visited classics. Nevertheless, a visit to the area is often worthwhile. In addition to downhill runs of all levels of difficulty, you will often find good powder snow or firn snow until late spring.
Ascent
First take the Ehrwalder Almbahnen lifts up to Issentalköpfl and across the piste to the valley station of the new chairlift, then across a small, steep slope to the south onto the cross-country ski trail. Depending on your cross-country skiing ability and the snow conditions, you can skate quickly from here on the trail to the Igelsee lake, but it is usually worth putting on your skins. You will certainly need them from the Igelsee lake at the latest, where you leave the cross-country ski trail and first head briefly south-east through the forest, then south over a partly mountain pine-covered steep step into the Igelskar. The cirque floor is quite flat, but there are several opportunities for short, steeper descents at the edge of the cirque. Most ski tourers head west in the cirque to the Igelsscharte, but you can easily combine several of the ascents to extend the actually short tour.
Descent
The descent follows the ascent route first into the Igelskar, then steeply over the cirque threshold to the Igelsee and via the cross-country ski trail to the east and to the valley station of the chairlift, with this back to the Issentalköpfl and from there via the ski slope into the valley. If you are late in the afternoon or the ski area is already closed, it is better to ascend from the Igelsee lake along the cross-country ski trail to the north-west to reach the Ehwalder Alm via a small ridge on the trail. From there, also take the piste down into the valley.
Alternative
Instead of heading back through the Igelskar, you can ski west from the Igelsscharte into the neighboring Brendlkar. There you can, for example, climb up to the Tajatörl or ski down through the Brendlkar to the Igelsee and return to the ski area and then into the valley as described above.
Information
Difficulty: **
Average steepness/Maximum steepness: 30°/40° (Igelskopf north face 45°/50°)
Exposure: N - E
Altitude difference start and finish: 1900 m | 1.500 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: approx. 600 m | approx. 1.000 m
Duration: 2-3 hours
Best time of year: January - April
How to get there: Via the Fernpass or from the north via the Fernpass road to Ehrwald, through the village center to the east to the Ehrwalder Almbahn lifts.
Topographical maps: AV map 4/2, Wetterstein and Mieminger Gebirge Mitte
Tip: A very challenging and exposed steep face alternative, which is only possible in very safe conditions and is reserved for excellent and fearless skiers, is the north face of the Igelskopf (*****). Which can be reached via the steep southern slope of the Igelskopf from the Igelsscharte.
