Description

Ride the Zirmachbahn chairlift and from the top (2240 metres), make a 500 metre descending traverse, holding as much height as possible, to reach the large bowl to the north of the Hoher Burgstall peak.

Put skins on and climb up the bowl, heading west towards the Schlicker Schartl col (2456 metres).

Getting to the col takes around an hour and the final section is quite steep, but should still be skin-able in all but the iciest of conditions.

From the col, make a descending traverse rightwards, again holding onto as much height as possible, heading towards the Steinkogel peak.

Eventually you will reach the bottom of the valley you'd been heading towards, at which point put skins back on and make the 20 minute climb up to the Seejöchl col (2589 metres).

The uphill is now done so enjoy the view and the prospect of some great skiing.

One option is to follow the mellow valley to the north, heading for the Adolf Pichler Hut, but it is so gentle that it is barely skiing.

The best skiing is to be found by going north for 50 metres then turning left and following a beautiful, wide 30 degree slope down for 700 vertical metres all the way to the floor of the valley it leads to.

Once on the jeep track in the valley floor, turn right and follow the track (via the odd section of easy poling/sidestepping) to reach the Kemater Alm (1673 metres).

The Alm serves a selection of hearty Tirolian food and a good selection of beverages.

From the hut, ski down the jeep track for 9 kilometres to reach the village of Grinzens, from where you can catch a bus to Axams.

Hiking up to the hut dragging a sledge and then sledging down is popular with the locals so control your speed on the jeep track and be prepared to stop at all times.

The best way to do this tour is to combine it with the Axamer to Schlick tour but it's also perfectly possible to do it on its own by getting the bus to Schlick in the morning and the bus home from Axams at the end of this tour.