The tour starts in Böckstein on the north side of the Hohe Tauern; leave your car here and take the train through the so-called "Tauernschleuse" to Mallnitz (10 minutes). The ski bus then takes you directly to the valley station of the Ankogel cable car. The real start is from the mountain station (or from Hannoverhaus, if the hut is being used as a base for a freeride weekend).
Ascent
From the mountain station, we ski a few meters down the piste towards Hannover Haus, skinning up at the hairpin bend. At the same altitude or with little elevation gain, cross the south-facing slopes below the Grauleitnspitz to the east. Always aim for the end of a rocky ridge - the so-called Gauleitnwand, which you bypass at the lower end.
When visibility is good, the imposing north face of the Hochalmspitze constantly catches your eye.
After the traverse, the real altitude gain comes and you ascent over an even slope to the northeast over the former Lessacher Kees. At the end of this you reach the large Radegg-Scharte. From here, a ridge runs down from the Kleiner Ankogel, which can initially be climbed with skins for about 100 meters. Soon, however, the ridge steepens noticeably and the skis are put on the backpack (crampons are helpful here in hard conditions). The remaining 150 vertical meters can be followed on foot along the ridge, which is hardly exposed and generally easy to walk up to the summit.
Alpinist encore: the main summit of the Ankogel
For those motivated by mountaineering, the further ridge ascent to the main summit of the Ankogel is worthwhile. However, the skis remain on the Kleiner Ankogel and the rest of the ascent is on foot. This ridge is much more challenging, requires a few small climbing passages and is spiced up with exposed sections. Crampons are usually not just a luxury here. The reward from the Ankogel is a magnificent view of the Glockner, the Dolomites, the Julian Alps and (if you're lucky) the Adriatic Sea.
