When you get to tick off a long time ‘must do’ on a guided ski tour, you just know its going to be good. For me, being able to take skis to the top of Valluga in Ski Arlberg (St Anton sector) was something that I had actually given up on. For anyone that doesn’t know, no one is allowed to bring skis up in the small cable car (6 persons) that goes to the top of Valluga UNLESS they are with a certified mountain guide that signs everyone’s lives away! Cool huh!
Anyway, to do this fabulous ascent and then ski the famous Valluga North route with one of our partners was a real treat. Stefan from Guide & Ride picked a fabulous route for a day’s outing from Lech. After several weeks of warm temperatures, to ski untracked fresh snow was a way better outcome than anyone could have anticipated. Several technical sections interspersed with long, mellow powder lines and a 600m vertical skin in between was a fantastic exposure to what the backcountry of Ski Arlberg is all about.
Have faith that Stefan will find you the best snow possible at the time and will lead you safely on one of the best ski tours of your life. And if you are prepared to skin a little (or a lot), then even better, because the possibilities expand exponentially when you do. Note that these tours are best suited to skiers due to many of the exits back into the ski area being quite long and flattish. Unless you are a super-fit, super-competent splitboarder, some of the exits will seriously test you!
Stefan’s love and knowledge of this region, (and his other main focus - the mountains around Innsbruck) is incredible. He has a focus on safety but measures it according to the group’s abilities & experience. A fine sense of humour doesn’t go astray either, particularly with me waxing lyrical in the group. He ‘pointed’ the way beautifully (every guide needs to point!), smiling all the while.
Skiing back onto a piste into Zürs and giving everyone a high-5 was a fitting end to the tour. A late lunch with the group at the Tritt-Alpe mountain hut was an added bonus.
So good …..
