Liebenerspitze main summit

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 to be expected. Generally safe conditions.

2 (MODERATE)

An avalanche release is likely with a large additional load especially on the specified steep slopes. Larger avalanches are not to be expected. The snowpack is generally well consolidated, except on some steep slopes. Careful route selection on the specified steep slopes and slope exposures.

3 (CONSIDERABLE)

An avalanche release is likely already with a small additional load, especially on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally spontaneous medium avalanches and occasionally large avalanches are possible. The snowpack is only moderately to poorly consolidated on many steep slopes. Experience in avalanche assessment is necessary. Avoid specified steep slopes and slope exposures as much as possible.

4 (HIGH)

An avalanche release is possible even with a small additional load, especially on the specified steep slopes. Numerous medium avalanches and multiple large avalanches may occur. The snowpack is poorly consolidated on many steep slopes. Route choice should be limited to moderately steep terrain and avalanche runout areas should be observed. A lot of experience in avalanche assessment is necessary.

5 (VERY HIGH)

Numerous large avalanches, also in moderately steep terrain, are expected spontaneously. At this warning level, safe operations in ski areas are no longer possible. The snowpack is generally poorly consolidated and unstable. Avoid tours.

Also see lawine.tirol.gv.at

Ski Touring Rules

• Observe all regulations during activities in nature and when selecting tours (e.g., wildlife protection areas, hunting restriction zones, reforestation areas, information boards, etc.)
• Respect wildlife quiet zones and avoid feeding places as well as loud noise
• Traverse forest areas in winter only on designated paths and routes, as animals react very panicked to unlocalized noise.
• Recognize wildlife habitats and avoid animals whenever possible. Observe wild animals only from a distance. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times; it is absolutely irresponsible to let dogs run freely in the forest during the winter emergency period.
• Plan your time properly: start early enough and return before darkness falls. In spring, you should be back at the hut by noon (avalanche danger)
• Never drive through reforestation and young growth areas.

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

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

More info about ski tours in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/skitouren

This offers everything that a high alpine ski route on the Ötztal main ridge has to offer, both on the ascent and the descent. This includes a long climb into a trough-like side valley, the Gaibergtal, which ends in a huge and in this case very crevassed glacier, the Gaisbergferner. Additionally, there is a massive and equally threatening icefall from the upper Gaisbergferner, which represents an additional hazard for the route. This area is often marked by remnants of ice avalanches and should therefore be safely bypassed on the ascent far to the left, even if you then find yourself in a crevassed glacier zone that is steeper than 40°. Here, one must choose the lesser evil. On the descent, however, you can certainly stay in the middle of the Gaisbergferner, provided you quickly overcome the threatened area. The most avalanche-hazardous passage awaits you at Pt. 3150m, where you have to switch from the Gaisbergferner to the upper Gaisbergferner. The short but more than 40° steep north slope presents one last major hazard. Once overcome, the 30° to 35° steep but extensive summit slope should pose hardly any problems. Moreover, you can climb the summit with skis strapped on until the last few meters quite easily. This is rather an exception on the Ötztal main ridge. The last few meters to the summit are then quite easy to handle by bootpacking. The scenic landscape, as always on the Ötztal main ridge, is overwhelming, and the descent is among the most beautiful that the Obergurgl touring region has to offer. Starting in Obergurgl at the valley station of the Hohe Mut Bahn at 1915m, approximately 1500 vertical meters have to be covered over about 9.4 kilometers to reach the summit. Using the Festkogelbahn as ascension aid and skiing down to the entrance of the Gaisbergtal reduces the climb to about 6.9 kilometers or 1100 vertical meters.