The Alpbachtal forms the western tip of the Kitzbühel Alps
and borders on the neighbouring Zillertal valley. From the Inntal motorway, the road branches off to the south at Kramsach and winds its way up a few hairpin bends until you finally reach the gondola station of the Wiederbergerhorn cable car after around 10 kilometres.
Fortunately, it is mainly families who spend their Christmas holidays here in the Alpbachtal. Freeriders, on the other hand, are few and far between. All the better for us. As soon as we get out of the gondola, the first deep snow lines are already waiting for us. Not bad for a start!
Around midday, we walk up to the summit of the Wiedersberger Horn, on the eastern flanks of which the ski area is located. With skis on our backpacks, we need less than a quarter of an hour for the ascent. At the summit, we are greeted by a fabulous panoramic view and the freeride potential of this ski resort becomes clear for the first time. Descents in all four directions seem possible.
We opt for the north-facing Powder Bowl and after 400 metres in dusty deep snow, we reach the Kohlgruben four-seater chairlift. We spend most of the afternoon on the Hornbahn 2000, where it's not particularly steep, but we can enjoy deep snow right next to the piste.
Crowning finale
is the so-called Baumgarten route from the Wiedersberger Horn hut to Inneralpbach. We ski our lines down to the end of the valley over hilly, medium-steep terrain and wide alpine meadows. 1000 metres of almost untracked powder with no additional ascent - something like this is truly rare these days. Reason enough to come back here in the next few weeks. Then, however, we won't treat ourselves to a New Year's nap, but will be at the lift at 9am on the dot to continue exploring the numerous variations from the summit of the Wiedersberger Horn.
