The
Otztal mountains of Austria offer a great
area for ski touring, that is peppered with
3000m peaks. The 'Tour du Vent' ski tour is
a true classic ski tour which tackles the
most famous mountains surrounding the Otztal
valley.
On
the third day of skiing, you visit the actual
site where the famous iceman was discovered,
high up on the Austrian-Italian border.
During
the week you ski tour across many glaciers
and high passes, taking in many of the key
summits of the region. The main peaks that
are skied include Similaun 3606m, Finailspitze
3514m, Weisskugel 3739m, Fluchtkogel 3500m,
and Wildspitze 3774mn.
Previous
touring experience
is required, but this is of a similar level
to the Silvretta ski tour, and a good level
of fitness is essential.
Any
mountaineering skills or knowledge of ropes
are an advantage, but not essential as all
necessary techniques are taught. As with all
arctic travel, it is important for the guide
to keep the itinerary very flexible to take
account of the weather and avalanche conditions.
The
accommodation in the mountains is in huts.
These are looked after by a guardian and their
team, and all bedding is provided, as is a
good evening meal and breakfast. Packed lunches
can be obtained in the huts, though many prefer
to ski light, snacking on cereal bars to keep
a steady rhythm going.
Dates: these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice.
Brief
Course Itinerary
The itineraries are for guidance, but should give an idea
of what you can achieve during the week. Each week this
course runs slightly differently to cater for your preferences,
the conditions, and where the best weather and snow is
to be found. This flexibility allows you to have the course
tailored to your needs. This trip is lead by Francois
(see photo below), who is an IFMGA mountain and ski guide.
He has worked with Icicle for over a decade, and spends
most of the year in the Alps. Francois is a keen ski tourer
and ice climber, who lives in the Vercors massif.
Satuday - Travel to the village of Vent in the Austrian
Otztal, and spend the night on a half board basis
in a local hotel. Meet the rest of the group.
Sunday - In the morning, the guide will make final kit
checks, and brief you on the plan for the day. The
first day is relatively easy, to allow you to get
your ski legs back, and to practice with avalanche
transceivers. The aim for the day is to skin up
to the Martin-Busch hut at 2501m, which involves
about 3 hours of ascent.
Monday - An early start to head up to the summit of Similaun
3606m, which takes about 4 hours from the hut. From
the summit, you ski down to the Similaun-hutte mountain
hut, where you spend the night. The day involves
1105m height gain, and 600m height loss.
Tuesday - Another early start to ski up to the Tisenjoch
col, where the Iceman of Similaun was discovered.
From there you may even continue to ascend the north
east ridge to the summit of Finailspitze 3514m.
You ski down Hochjochferner, followed by the short
climb up to the Schonen Aussicht mountaim hut. Today
you gain 680m, and lose 860m.
Wednesday - The objective today is Weisskugel 3739m, which
is reach by the short climb to the col between Am
Hintern 3270m and Egg 3219m, followed by a short
descent on Hintereisferner and the climb to Hintereisjoch.
From here it is a short ascent to the summit of
Weisskugel by its south ridge, then a long ski down
ro the Hochjoch Hospiz hut. This is a big day with
1360m ascent, and 1790m of descent.
Thursday - The tour then heads to Kesselwandferner via the
Gularjoch pass, before ascending towards the summit
of Fluchtkogel 3500m. You ski down the huge Mitterkar
glacier, to reach the Vernag hut at 2755m. The height
gain for the day is 1100m, and loss is 760m.
Friday - It's the final day, and passing ober the Grosser
and Keiner Vernag glaciers, you ascend to the pass
at Brochkogel 3423m. Then there is a long traverse
taking you to the foot of Wildspitze, from which
you ascend to the summit at 3774m.
The long descent takes you all the way back to the
village of Vent where you spend the night in a hotel.
The height gain for the day is 1100m,
and the loss is a huge 1870m.
Saturday - Breakfast in the hotel,
then you are free to depart for the return flights
home.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
6 full days IFMGA guiding, 1:6 max ratio
8 days holiday in total, Saturday-Saturday
£1299
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1)
IFMGA Mountain Guide(s) for six days, 2) Pre course information
booklet, 3) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 4)
Two nights half board accommodation in Vent, Austria (inc.
bedding & towels), 5) Five nights half board accommodation
in mountain huts including three course cooked evening
meals. 6)
Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Vent, Austria, 2) Cable Cars and
valley transfers (budget on £60), 3) Ski hire, 4)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, & any
purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5)
Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges, 6)
Saturday pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory meal
& drinks.
Group
sizes: 3 - 6 people per IFMGA
mountain guide. For group sizes of over 6 people, there
are multiple guides, and the teams travel independently
of each other.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Otztal Tour du Vent
No Dates Available
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are four who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
The
trips all start in Vent in Austria, which is easily
accessed by train, from the nearest airport of Innsbruck,
or slightly further away to fly to Zurich.
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
Local
Currency
Euro €
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
Latest
news from Icicle
Skis
& equipment advice
Because
we know it is so important to you to have the most suitable
equipment and clothing for off piste skiing and touring,
we have devoted a page especially to it, which you can
access by clicking on the image, or by clicking
here. This page outlines the key equipment
you should bring, and gives examples of skis that are
suitable for the course. If you have any queries, please
do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
So
why choose us?
We
are true specialists in ski touring. See our blog,
by clicking on the logo (on the right).
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount of time spent skiiing each
day.
Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately.
We
have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort
support team, who all want you to have the best
skiing possible! For more details on the guiding
team and qualifications, please click
here.
Any
further questions?
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor.
