Ski Touring recommended route

Similaun Ski Tour

Ski Touring · Vent
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  • Similaun ski route
    Similaun ski route
    Photo: Ötztal

Selected alternatives for you

    From Vent to the Similaun Hut (3,019 m)
    Ascent through the Niedertal –> Martin-Busch Hut (2,501 m, 3 h) –> Similaun Hut (3,019 m, 2 h)

    difficult
    Distance 12.9 km
    4:30 h
    1,258 m
    130 m
    3,077 m
    1,888 m

    Author’s recommendation

    It is also possible to climb the peak on the eastern part of the glacier before you reach Similaunhütte. But it is recommended to take a break on the hut and to leave some luggage there in order to conquer the peak easier!
    Logo Ötztal
    Responsible for this content
    Ötztal  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    3,077 m
    Lowest point
    1,888 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Cardinal direction
    NESW

    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Martin Busch Hütte

    Safety information

    Avalanche Danger Scale

    1 (LOW)

    An avalanche release is only possible with great additional load on very few, extreme steep slopes. Spontaneous avalanches (so-called slides) are not expected. Generally safe conditions.

    2 (MODERATE)

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

    3 (CONSIDERABLE)

    An avalanche release is already likely with slight additional load especially on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally, some medium, occasionally also large avalanches are possible spontaneously. The snowpack on many steep slopes is only moderately to weakly consolidated. Experience in avalanche assessment necessary. Try to avoid the specified steep slopes and slope aspects.

    4 (HIGH)

    An avalanche release is already possible with slight additional load especially on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally, many medium, repeatedly also large avalanches occur. The snowpack on many steep slopes is only weakly consolidated. Route selection should be limited to moderately steep terrain and avalanche runout zones must be observed. Much experience in avalanche assessment is necessary.

    5 (VERY HIGH)

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

    See also at lawine.tirol.gv.at

    Tips and suggestions

    Ski Tour Rules

    • Observe the regulations in effect for all activities in nature and for route selection (e.g., wildlife protection areas, hunting restricted zones, reforestation areas, information boards, etc.)
    • Respect quiet zones for wildlife and avoid feeding areas as well as loud noises
    • Cross forest areas in winter only on authorized paths and routes whenever possible, as animals react very panicky to unlocalized noise.
    • Recognize the habitats of wildlife and avoid the animals as much as possible. Observe wildlife only from a distance. Dogs brought along must be kept on a leash at all times; 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 darkness. In spring, you should be back at the hut by noon (avalanche danger)
    • Never ride through reforestation and young growth areas. 

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

    Before starting a tour, inform the valley about 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, travel conveniently and quickly by public transit or local taxi companies through the entire valley to your desired destination! The current bus schedule is available at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

    Directions

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

    Parking

    In Vent, the following parking options are available:

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

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.859039, 10.913565
    DMS
    46°51'32.5"N 10°54'48.8"E
    UTM
    32T 645860 5191277
    w3w 
    ///observations.thoughtful.peacemaker
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Recommended Ski Tour Equipment

    "Normal ski tour 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 climbing harness, two prusik loops or ascending devices of different lengths, two HMS carabiners, ice axe, crampons, and a rope. A backpack with appropriate contents must be carried, including spare clothing, sun protection, cold protection, provisions, and enough to drink! For hut overnight stays, do not forget to bring hygiene items and a hut sleeping bag!

    DIFFICULTY RATING

    • Easy: Easy, short to moderately long routes with ascents that do not exceed 25° or only briefly.
    • Medium: Medium difficulty, moderately long to long routes with ascents that do not exceed 35° or only briefly.
    • Hard: Difficult, long to very long routes with ascents reaching 40° or more, and climbing sections up to the II. degree of difficulty (UIAA).

    Localization

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

    Similar routes nearby

    • Hinterer Spiegelkogel
    • Venter Ski Route - Ötztal Classic
    • Martin Busch Hut via the Similaun to the Similaun Hut
    • Hauslabkogel
    • Similaun 3.606 m
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    12.9 km
    Duration
    4:30 h
    Ascent
    1,258 m
    Descent
    130 m
    Highest point
    3,077 m
    Lowest point
    1,888 m
    Scenic Summit route High-altitude ski tour

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