PowderGuide presents another new editorial feature: every week, we will present a particularly recommendable freeride tour. Whether it's a classic ski tour with a particularly great descent, a freeride variant with a pleasant approach or a crisp steep descent - every week, experienced freeriders and tourers will provide you with a TouringTip that will whet your appetite for freeriding and touring. The tour descriptions will provide you with the most important information you need to follow: difficulty, topographical map, duration, altitude and much more. In addition to a detailed route description, you can also look forward to beautiful nature and downhill pictures.
Let's start with a Tyrolean ski touring classic, the Zuckerhütl. Despite poor snow conditions, this tour can even be undertaken at the moment (4.12.11).
Skitour Zuckerhütl
The Zuckerhütl is a much-visited summit in both summer and winter. No wonder, as it is the highest peak in the Stubai Alps. In terms of downhill skiing, the tour is not too exciting, but it offers a good view and is possible very early in the season thanks to the lifts of the nearby Stubai Glacier ski area.
Route description
The starting point is the pass between Gaiskar and Windacher Ferner, which can be reached by numerous lifts from the ski area. From there, you can either cross the upper end of the Gaiskarferner to the south into the larger glacier basin a little above behind the fun park and ski down to the east from there, or you can follow the piste to the valley station of the chairlift on the Gaiskarferner. In both cases, you ski south of the drag lift through a larger gully to the east.
In the hollow below the Pfaffenferner, skins are put on and the ascent is best made along the southern edge of the glacier tongue before ascending in a long, flat straight line to the northeast to the Pfaffenjoch. After crossing the yoke, cross the upper part of the Sulzenauferner, pass the north face of the Zuckerhütl and ascend to the Pfaffensattel between the Zuckerhütl and Wildem Pfaff. From there, head west towards the summit and cover the last few meters on foot. Depending on the snow conditions, crampons are advisable here, and a rope may also be necessary to secure yourself. Skis are often deposited at the start of the summit ridge; it is only worth taking them with you if you want to ski the short but steep northern flank of the Zuckerhütl.
Three downhill options
After descending to the ski depot or descending through the northern flank, there are three fundamentally different downhill options from the Zuckerhütl:
1. Along the ascent route back to the ski area, here of course a short counter ascent with skins back to the drag lift on the Gaiskarferner is necessary.
2. Over the wild Sulzenauferner and the Pfaffengrat to the Fernauferner and back to the ski area (sometimes very steep).
3. Over the Sulzenauferner to the Sulzenauhütte and over the Sulzenaualm into the Stubai Valley down to the Grawaalm.
The last variant not only offers the longest descent, but is also the most impressive in terms of scenery. However, it is also the most challenging, especially with regard to the Sulzenauferner and timing! In spring, it is hardly possible to get from the first gondola to the Zuckerhütl so quickly that you can get down to the Stubaital in good firn. At this time of the year, it can be advisable to go very early from the Dresdner Hütte via the Pfaffengrat and Sulzenauferner to the Zuckerhütl. The first variant is particularly recommended if there is not enough snow for a descent via the Sulzenauferner.
Information
Difficulty (5-level scale): ***
Special dangers: High-altitude ski tour, glacier on the ascent and descent, especially the Sulzenauferner has numerous crevasse areas!
Average steepness/maximum steepness: 30°/ 45°
Exposure: E/N/W
Altitude difference start and finish: 3150m | 3050/2300/1530m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: 800m | 1150/1550/2300m
Duration: approx. 5-8h
Best time of year: December - May
Accommodation: Somewhere in the Stubaital
Addresses: Stubai Glacier ski area (www.stubaier-gletscher.com, 0043 5226 8141), Stubaital Tourist Office (www.stubai.at, +43(0)501881-0)
How to get there: Via the Inntal to Brenner highway, from there to the Stubaital and all the way to the glacier ski area.
Topographical maps: AV map Stubai Alps Hochstubai, 31/1 with ski markings
Book tip: Pretty much any tour guide Tyrol
Other recommendations: Buying a tour map saves money, but requires an ascent of about 100 additional meters back to the ski area if you ski back via the Pfaffenferner, as the tour tariff does not include a ride on the drag lift. In addition, it is not possible to take the gondola down into the valley with the tour ticket, so purchasing it is only recommended if there is sufficient snow and a descent into the valley.
If there is too much going on at Zuckerhütl, you can change your plans at Pfaffensattel and climb Wilden Pfaff instead. Of course, you can also do this in addition to the Zuckerhütl.
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