Piste ski touring: the best routes in Germany and Austria

Until a few winters ago, ascents on the edge of the slopes were considered frowned upon. But that's different today: more and more ski resorts are open to ski tourers. ISPO.com serves up six touring delicacies, for every taste. From the piste tour without piste to the highest, the sporty to the culinary.

The routes we selected were all permitted routes at the time of publication (December 2020). Since changes can always occur quickly here, we would like to expressly point out that before walking on a piste tour, the permission to walk on the Internet should be checked again or asked by phone.

The piste ski tour to the Brauneck summit (1555 m) is not an insider tip, but the fan community of this classic is too large for that. Which in turn has to do with the fact that it is always a dream tour. The ascent is moderately steep and technically easy, but with 830 meters of altitude difference it is definitely a challenge, especially for ski touring novices. Inveterate Brauneck tourers use their local mountain as a training route and sometimes climb the Brauneck three times a day - which makes more than 2,500 meters in altitude ...

The ski tour itself leads through a beautiful mountain forest and has, with a few exceptions, hardly any contact with the slopes, which gives beginners a taste of real touring adventure. To find your way, please follow the DAV ascent signs. The descent is via the piste. After closing time, the slopes are closed.

Info: www.brauneck-bergbahn.de

On the ski tour to the Taubensteinhaus you walk fully on slopes, but they are no longer groomed. Since the winter season 2015/16, the Taubensteinbahn remains closed in winter and the slopes unprepared. Since then, the mountain belongs again entirely to the ski tourers. On beautiful fresh snow days it can get crowded, but at the latest after the first steep section the tour crowd loosens up. At the top, everyone meets in the cozy Taubensteinhaus or with tea from the thermos and a sandwich in the snow.

Almost legendary: the ski tour evenings to the Taubensteinhaus. In recent years, night owls could ascend to the hut on Tuesdays and Thursdays by the light of a headlamp and meet like-minded people over hot soup. A special experience, especially on full moon nights when the air is cold and the snow crystals sparkle like diamonds in the glow of the light.

Since the slope is no longer groomed, be sure to bring avalanche emergency equipment. If the avalanche situation is tense/high, walk at a distance in the lower part - there is a risk of avalanches here. Way ascends during the day should definitely pay a visit to the Spitzingsee after the ski tour.

Info: www.nachtskitouren.de/touren/ taubenstein.php
Hut: www.taubensteinhaus.de

The family ski area at the Rosshütte has long since come to terms with piste tourers: There is a specially designated tourers' parking lot, which is located a bit away from the start. Those who want to park in the underground garage pay a fee. Ascents are made comfortably via a designated route in the forest, which can also be mastered by kids. Further up, you can decide how far you want to go - on sunny days, the deck chairs at the Rosshütte will tempt you.

The sporty ones dare the last meters of altitude on the rather steep slope up to the Seefelder Jöchl. Those who like it more comfortable stay at the Rosshütte and stretch their legs far away in the deck chair. The descent is via the piste. And then it's off to the Woods Bar, in the middle of Seefeld. The wine list: excellent, as is the sushi. If you want to stay for dinner: be sure to reserve a table in advance.

Info: www.seefeld.com/rosshuette/skitouren
The bar after the tour: www.woods-seefeld.com/

At lofty heights, the first ski touring park opened in November 2017 - the initiators: Dynafit and the Pitztal Gletscherbahn. The response: outstanding. Not only because you can tour from fall to early summer, but also because you are on the move in a secured ski area and in a breathtaking, high alpine landscape. King Wildspitze greets you.

Three ascent routes can be taken in the ski touring park. Particularly rewarding: the "Cappuccino Route", with 620 meters of ascent, is the longest and, with its destination at an altitude of 3,440 meters, also the highest. The air is thin, it's hard to breathe, but the view, including the cappuccino and apple strudel at Café 3440, are worth every effort. What's more, the training effect is a blast.

There are special rates for ski touring park users, so be sure to tell the cashier what you plan to do. Because if you "only" want to go up for piste touring, you pay 25 euros for an ascent and descent including the Gletscherexpress and ascent with the Gletscherseebahn. The normal rate starts at 53 euros - in each case for adults.

Info: www.pitztal.com

This tour is everything at once: the sporty, the family-friendly, the culinary tour to the highest hut above the Inn Valley. Well, would you like a little more? Here you go: because in snowy winters, sporty tourers can start their ascent at the Karlskirche near Volders in the Inn Valley. Then there are a whopping 2,050 meters in altitude and 16 kilometers to master. If that is too much for youust take advantage of the lifts in the micro-skiing area "Glungezer". And in no time at all, the ascent is reduced to a leisurely 300 meters in altitude.

The ascent runs along the edge of the piste. From the top station, the last meters of altitude are over open terrain, but don't worry: snow poles mark the way to the hut and thus to the culinary spectacle. Homemade bread, spaghetti à la Kathmandu, buckwheat poppy seed cake with cream - the offer is as varied as the ascent options.

Info: www.glungezer.at
Ski area/track: www.glungezerbahn.at

The Jennerbahn ski area has always been a mecca for ski tourers. Annual highlight: the "Jennerstier", a grandiose ski touring race. Since the 2020/21 season, the ski area officially issues a ski route and thus participates in the ski touring parks for piste walkers in cooperation with Dynafit. The start is at the valley station of the Jennerbahn. From here, a designated touring trail leads uphill. There are just under 1,200 meters of altitude to climb to the summit of the Jenner.

At the top, the athletes are rewarded for all their efforts with a magnificent view of the Königssee. In order to stabilize a good coexistence of ski alpine fans and piste tour enthusiasts in the long term, the ascent routes as well as the information on the homepage should please be followed. The community thanks each and every one.

Info: www.jennerbahn.de/skitouren/