Ski Touring recommended route

Hochvernagtwand

Ski Touring · Vent
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  • Hochvernagtwand
    Hochvernagtwand
    Photo: Ötztal

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    Located in the Vernagthütte tour area (closed in winter 24/25, no winter room), ski-technical difficulties with a slope steeper than 40°. Rarely climbed because the summit ascent is very steep.

    moderate
    Distance 10 km
    2:45 h
    892 m
    890 m
    3,373 m
    2,550 m

    Although it is not the most frequented summit in the Vernagthütte tour area (closed in winter 24/25, also no winter room), the final ascent through the steep southeast flank is a notable difficulty.
    Ascent time: 2 h 45 min
    Descent time: 45 min

    Logo Ötztal
    Responsible for this content
    Ötztal  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    3,373 m
    Lowest point
    2,550 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
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    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Vernagthütte

    Safety information

    Avalanche danger scale

    1 (LOW)

    An avalanche release is only possible with a large additional load on very few, extreme steep slopes. No spontaneous avalanches (so-called slides) are expected. Generally safe conditions.

    2 (MODERATE)

    An avalanche release is probable with a large additional load mainly on the specified steep slopes. Larger avalanches are not expected. The snow cover is generally well consolidated except for some steep slopes. Careful route selection on the specified steep slopes and slope exposures.

    3 (CONSIDERABLE)

    An avalanche release is already probable with a small additional load mainly on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally some medium and occasionally large avalanches may occur spontaneously. The snow cover on many steep slopes is only moderately to poorly consolidated. Experience in avalanche assessment is necessary. Avoid specified steep slopes and slope exposures as much as possible.

    4 (HIGH)

    An avalanche release is already possible with a small additional load mainly on the specified steep slopes. Numerous medium and multiple large avalanches occur occasionally. On many steep slopes, the snow cover is weakly consolidated. Restrict route selection to moderately steep terrain and pay attention to avalanche run-out zones. Much experience in avalanche assessment is necessary.

    5 (VERY HIGH)

    Numerous large avalanches are expected spontaneously, also in moderately steep terrain. At this warning level, safe operation in ski areas is no longer possible. The snow cover is generally weakly consolidated and unstable. Avoid tours is recommended.

    See also at lawine.tirol.gv.at

    Tips and suggestions

    Ski Touring Rules

    • Observe all applicable regulations in nature and when choosing tours (e.g., wildlife protection areas, hunting restricted areas, afforestation zones, information boards, etc.)
    • Respect quiet zones for wildlife and avoid feeding areas and loud noise
    • Cross forest areas in winter only on designated paths and routes, animals react very panicked to unlocalizable noise.
    • Recognize wildlife habitats, avoid animals whenever possible. Observe wildlife only from a distance. Dogs must be kept on a leash; it is absolutely irresponsible to let dogs run free in the forest during the winter emergency period.
    • Proper time planning: start early enough and return before dark. In spring, you should be back at the hut by midday (avalanche danger)
    • Never ride through afforestation and young growth areas.

    Ötztal Tourism assumes no liability for the tours listed and recommends taking a mountain guide. Glacier crossings are only possible with a rope and in a group.

    Before starting a tour, inform the valley of your destination and expected return time. Carrying an avalanche transceiver is strongly recommended.

    More information about ski touring in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/skitouren

    Public transport

    Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The final stop or exit point is the ÖTZTAL station. Afterwards, you can travel conveniently and quickly with public transportation or local taxi companies through the entire valley to your desired destination! The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

    Directions

    Vent is located in the west of Austria in the state of TIROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your car arrival, plan the optimal travel route from your home location with the route planner online:  https://www.google.at/maps

    Parking

    The following parking options are available in Vent:

    In front of the village and at the valley station of the chairlift (paid parking)

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.853600, 10.823790
    DMS
    46°51'13.0"N 10°49'25.6"E
    UTM
    32T 639031 5190510
    w3w 
    ///tinged.seesaws.gingers
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Recommended ski touring equipment

    The "normal ski touring equipment" consists of touring skis with touring bindings, telescopic poles, climbing skins, crampons, digital avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, first aid kit, and a mobile phone. A "complete glacier equipment" consists of a harness, two prusik loops or ascenders of different lengths, two HMS carabiners, an ice axe, crampons, and a rope. A backpack with appropriate contents should be carried, including spare clothing, sun protection, cold protection, food, and enough to drink! For overnight hut stays, don’t forget to take hygiene articles and a hut sleeping bag!

    Difficulty rating

    • Easy: Easy, short to moderately long tours with ascents that do not exceed 25° or only briefly exceed it.
    • Medium: Moderately difficult, moderately long to long tours with ascents that do not exceed 35° or only briefly exceed it.
    • Difficult: Difficult, long to very long tours with ascents reaching 40° or more, and climbing passages up to difficulty grade II (UIAA).

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

    Similar routes nearby

    • Hochvernagtspitze
    • Schwarzwandspitze
    • Fluchtkogel
    • Via Wildspitze back to Vent
    • Hinterer Brochkogel
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    10 km
    Duration
    2:45 h
    Ascent
    892 m
    Descent
    890 m
    Highest point
    3,373 m
    Lowest point
    2,550 m
    Scenic High-altitude ski tour

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