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TouringTip | Hochalter-Round

Mini ascent with good powder opportunities

by Lukas Ruetz 12/30/2016
The Hochalterrunde in Kühtai offers a steep northern descent with lift support and only 150 meters of ascent. A second car is an advantage - a perfect avalanche situation is obligatory.

Ascent and descent

From the Hochalterbahn parking lot in the Kühtai ski resort at an altitude of 2020m, the first 500m of the ascent can be done with the help of the lift, or alternatively, you can also take the piste. The parking spaces in Kühtai are free for everyone to use. From the mountain station you cross - past the avalanche barriers - directly eastwards out to the foot of the summit slope of the Hochalter. Now the only obstacle to a wonderful descent in the direction of Klammbachtal is the 150-metre ascent to the summit. This is usually so steep that you can or must carry your skis. However, it's hardly worth skinning up on this route anyway. The grassy, steep slope leads to the Tyrolean Avalanche Warning Service measuring station at the summit or you can stay a few meters below on the shoulder between Hochalter and Mugkogel.

From here, the descent starts over north-facing steep terrain to a water catchment in the neighbouring valley. Particular attention should be paid to the avalanche situation here, as the snow from the summit slope on the ascent side is usually transported to the opposite northern slopes and these downhill slopes are predestined for avalanches. On the other hand, the terrain is wide and you can often catch untracked patches with little traversing. As soon as you reach the valley floor, the route continues out of the valley - usually skiers-left of the stream.

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It is also possible to ski on the right side of the valley, but the slopes descending from the Mugkogel are often full of spontaneous avalanches. No matter which option you choose: At the end, you will find yourself between the two avalanche barriers on the road to Kühtai coming from Sellraintal. You can either park a second car on the parking strip (also free of charge) beforehand, try hitchhiking back to the ski resort or be well-timed and get on the next ski bus to Kühtai - bus stop available.

Information

Special dangers: Avalanche danger is a particular concern here. In terms of steepness, exposure and size, the downhill slopes are exactly the sort of most fatal avalanche accidents. In addition, the first hundred meters of the descent in particular are often filled with drift snow!
Maximum steepness: 37° Exposure: Ascent: S, descent: N
Altitude difference start and summit: 2,020 m | 2,670 m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: approx. 650m | 150 m when taking the Hochalterbahn cable car
Duration: 2 hours
How to get there: Inntal freeway towards Innsbruck, first exit west of Innsbruck "Kematen/Sellrain", in Kematen follow the signs towards Sellrain and via the Sellraintal valley to Kühtai (pass summit)
Addresses: www.kuehtai.info
Bus timetable from Innsbruck to Kühtai: Schedule route 4166

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