Deep-Snow Dreams in January

The Vaude Ski Touring Camp in Hirschegg

Good timing is everything. This definitely applies to the Vaude ski touring camp. This took place each day last year during a weekend event in Kleinwalsertal in a full 60 centimetres of fresh snow. It is hoped that this year Frau Holle (who according to the fairytale is said to make it snow when she shakes her feather pillows) will be kind this year to the Tettnanger and the camp participants. The ski tourers were able to plough through over a metre of the finest powder snow as they climbed up the mountainsides and then flew down the pistes. ‘It was as if we had rented the snow,’ comments Tina Jauch, who is responsible for sponsorship, events and partnerships at Vaude.

There was a long wait before the magnificent white stuff arrived. This much snow has not been seen in the Allgäuer Alpen for a long time. It was not possible to embark on some of the tours that had been planned due to the high risk of avalanches. The level of risk was set at 4 (high) for over 2,000 metres and at 3 (significant) below this altitude. Bärgunttal and Schwarzwassertal were completely closed for safety reasons. There are actually a number of excellent tour routes through both of these valleys.

A Powdery Business

Mountain guide Mathies Sinz is able to find a fabulous route despite the difficult circumstances. From the starting point at Walmendingerhorn, the tourers ski down by a magnificent downhill run in deep snow to the Oberer Lüchalpe in the direction of Baad. The loose snow remains powdery and dry thanks to the coldest temperatures in years. Shortly afterwards, the sun even comes out. ‘You don’t catch a day like that very often,’ comments Mathies Sinz.

This unique experience soon comes to an end on a forest path just above the village of Baad. The skins are taken off from this point. The route initially continues along this path, then through the forest and subsequently over open terrain towards Ochsenhofer Köpfe. The finishing point is on a knoll beneath the ridge. It is not possible to include a summit today as safety has to come first. However, the enjoyment factor not been diminished in any way. After a good 500 metre ascent, the next descent through perfect powder snow finally beckons.
Other components are on the programme at the Vaude Skitourencamp that runs from Friday to Sunday in addition to guided ski tours for beginners and advanced ski tourers. Experts from the Bergwelt Oberstaufen ski and mountaineering school, led by Managing Director Wolfi Schmid, offer training courses on avalanche search techniques and skiing techniques on open terrain. The participants (this year the camp was fully booked with around 80 touring fans) can select which component of the camp they want to take part in according to what interests them the most.

Enhancing Muscle Power in a Sustainable Way

The hub of the camp is located at the Walserhaus in Hirschegg. Here in the heart of Kleinwalsertal there are evening meals, presentations and of course the opportunity to hire equipment from Vaude and other companies such as Diamir (touring bindings), Uvex (ski goggles), Early Bird (skis), Arva (avalanche transceivers) und Leki (trekking poles).

Ski touring is key component of the Vaude’s business philosophy. The mountain sports equipment supplier is based in Tettnang (Lake Constance area). In 2015, Vaude was recognised as ‘Germany’s most sustainable brand’ as the company always ensures that it fulfils environmentally friendly and socially-conscious manufacturing requirements. Ski tours can certainly be considered to be a sustainable type of winter sport due to the reliance on muscle power instead of energy-consuming ski lifts. The event first took place in 2010 and many participants come back again each year to take part. You need to keep your eyes peeled for information if you are hoping to participate next year. The camps usually get booked up very quickly.

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Ski touring on the Hählekopf in Kleinwalsertal

This mountain has beckoned us for a while now. The 2,058-metre high Hählekopf marks the westernmost point of the Schwarzwassertal and is the perfect place to enjoy a fabulous ski tour. The conditions happened to be just right, so we set off on a ski tour to the summit.