The only winter via ferrata in Tyrol is highly recommended for sure-footed freeriders. After a relatively short, but airy and beautiful via ferrata, there are various long descent options all the way down to the valley.
Ascent
At the mountain station of the Riffel II chairlift in the Rendl sub-area, strap your skis onto your backpack and walk a few steps to the SE towards the ridge that leads to the Vordere Rendlspitze. The start of the via ferrata is right at the beginning of the ridge. After putting on your harness and via ferrata set, climb the via ferrata following the course of the ridge to the Vordere Rendlspitze (2816 m). Apart from a few passages, you climb on the rock with the help of the steel cable. Only rarely do you walk on a snow ridge, sometimes without a rope. After the Hintere Rendlspitze, the via ferrata leads down to the Roßfallscharte (2732 m), where you can stow your harness and via ferrata set and put on your skis.
Descent
The most rewarding descent leads from the saddle first to the E, then briefly to the SE into the Malfontal, which you soon follow to the NE to the Hintere Malfonalpe (1,825 m). From there, follow the valley to the N via the Vordere Malfonalpe (1,688 m) into the valley to Pettneu. The lowest part of the descent is on a forest path. As soon as this ends, you can ski across a meadow to the first houses before following the road down to the leisure center where the bus stop is located. From here, the ski bus takes you quickly back to St. Anton.
Alternative
From the Roßfallscharte, you can also descend westwards into the Moostal instead of eastwards. At the bottom of the valley, follow the valley to the N until you reach a forest path on the right-hand side of the valley. This goes slightly uphill, but after a short ascent (about 10 minutes) you reach the valley station of the Maaß chairlift, which you can follow to the valley descent, which quickly takes you back to St. Anton. As large parts of this variant can also be reached from the lifts, it is often not very rewarding in terms of freeriding. However, it is a short alternative to the long descent to Pettneu.
The via ferrata can also be taken as far as the Vordere Rendlspitze (2816 m) instead of the Roßfallscharte, from where you can either head SE to the described descent through the Malfontal, or descend very steeply and confusingly to the N. However, the latter option is worthwhile. However, the latter option is only worthwhile if you then climb with skins either to the Rendlscharte (2551 m) or Hochkarspitze (2836 m) and also descend via the Malfontal, as otherwise you only have the ski route "Hinteres Rendl", which is usually completely covered in snow.
Information
Difficulty (5-level scale): ****
Special dangers: Via ferrata, appropriate equipment, surefootedness, a head for heights and knowledge required!
Average gradient/maximum gradient: 30°/ 35°
Exposure: E-N / W / N
Altitude difference start and finish: 2,645 m | 1,284 m and 1,222 m respectively
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: approx. 160 m | approx. 1,510 m
Duration: 3-4 hours
Best time of year: January - March
Accommodation: Piltriquitron - Skiers Lodge St.Anton www.piltriquitron.com +43 (0) 650 767 49 13
Addresses:Tourismusverband St. Anton am Arlberg +43 (0) 5446 23 520
Other recommendations: Individual mountain tours available, via ferrata initially closed after snowfall!
Book tip: This tour can be found in the book "PowderGuide Tirol - Die besten Freeride-Touren" Order book
