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Wetterkreuzspitze IV

Hochfügen

The furthest run from the lift is well worth the hike!

Freeride Skiing Difficult

Distance
5.8 km
Ascent
344 m
Descent
1 km
Low Point
1.3 km
High Point
2.3 km
Gradient
45˚
Wetterkreuzspitze IV Map

The Holzalm Express Chairlift is an amazingly versatile starting point with plenty of options.

Description

Take the KSB Holzalm lift, get out looker’s left and keep going, staying as high as possible and eventually put on the skins and hike up to the ridge up to Wetterkreuzspitze. Tree skiing is essentially forbidden in Austria if you just sneak off the pistes, but if you are ski-touring you are considered a pedestrian, with unlimited access to forests. You are considered Ski-Touring once you hike > 1 hour.

From Wetterkreuzspitze there are an abundance of options, some lead back to the lifts, others to the road. We describe four, but there are also epic tree runs for bad weather.

The first and the second one are truly obvious. I:https://fatmap.com/routeid/2774206/wetterkreuzspitze II:https://fatmap.com/routeid/2774210/wetterkreuz-ii

III: Drop in on the other side, also epic: https://fatmap.com/routeid/2774245/wetterkreuzspitze-iii?fmid=cp

This forth option needs a face check from the bottom. Dropping in later from the ridge is also possible. You can also go skier's right before reaching the avalanche barricades and turn left right after. The run is north facing, the snow stays fresh long here, but it also can trigger longer after dumps - I have been swept here.

The way back is a little bit of a walk back uphill to the resort.

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between January and March

Features

  • Trees
  • Walk Required

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area