Toprecommended route
Ski Touring
· Gurgl
Vorderer Seelenkogel - Obergurgl
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Descent to the ski depotPhoto: Ötztal
OBERGURGL -> Rotmoostal -> Eiskögele -> OBERGURGL
The Eiskögele from Rotmoostal as a day route
The route from Rotmoostal is frequently used up to an altitude of about 2800m because it follows the route to the Eiskögele 3233m up to this point. The Eiskögele 3233m is one of the most visited ski touring peaks around Obergurgl. The route from Rotmoostal is considered not only as a day tour but also as a transition to the Langtalereckhütte 2430m, and many ski tourers include the Eiskögele 3233m on their way back from the Langtalereckhütte 2430m to Obergurgl.
Ascent: 3.5 h
Descent: 45 min.
Ötztal Verified partner
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
NederhütteSchönwies hut
Safety information
Avalanche Danger Scale
1 (LOW)
An avalanche release is only possible with heavy 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 under heavy additional load especially on the specified steep slopes. Larger avalanches are not to be expected. The snow cover is generally well consolidated, except on some steep slopes. Careful route choice at the specified steep slopes and slope exposures.
3 (CONSIDERABLE)
An avalanche release is likely even with little additional load, especially on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally some medium, and rarely also large avalanches are possible spontaneously. The snow cover on many steep slopes is only moderately to weakly consolidated. Experience in avalanche assessment necessary. Avoid specified steep slopes and slope exposures as much as possible.
4 (HIGH)
An avalanche release is possible even with little additional load, especially on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally many medium, sometimes also large avalanches occur. On many steep slopes, the snow cover is only weakly consolidated. When choosing routes, limit yourself to moderately steep terrain and pay attention to avalanche run-out zones. Extensive 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 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 during all activities in nature and when choosing your routes (e.g., wildlife protection areas, hunting closure zones, reforestation areas, information boards, etc.)
- Respect quiet zones for wildlife and avoid feeding areas as well as loud noises
- Cross forested areas in winter preferably only on approved paths and routes, animals react very panicked to unlocatable noise.
- Recognize the habitats of wild animals, avoid them whenever possible. Observe wildlife 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 correctly: start early enough and return before nightfall. In spring, you should be back at the hut by midday (avalanche danger)
- Never ski through reforestation and young growth areas.
Ötztal Tourism assumes no liability for the listed tours and recommends taking a mountain guide. Glacier crossings are only possible with a rope and in a group.
Before starting a tour, you should inform someone in 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
Roadbook
Accordingly, the slopes of the Eiskögele 3233m over the Hangererferner down into the Rotmoostal show rapid ski track formation. From the valley, about 1380 meters of altitude have to be overcome during the ascent. Under favorable avalanche conditions, especially in spring when the western slopes at Hohe Mut 2659m are firm in the morning, you can save about 300 meters of ascent. You take the Hohe Mut I + II cable cars up to Hohe Mut 2659m and then ski down 400 meters through 35° to 40° steep terrain into the Rotmoostal. This means you can start in Obergurgl at the earliest around 9:00, but a later start on the north slopes of Vorderer Seelenkogel 3286m usually does not pose a bigger problem regarding the time of day warming. The descent from Hohe Mut 2659m into Rotmoostal must not be underestimated. With powder snow, avalanche danger must be considered; on hard firn in spring, good ski edges or good skiing skills are necessary. From Rotmoostal, one begins one of the most critical sections regarding avalanche danger. The 200-meter ascent over the 35°, partly even 40°, steep north slope to the cirque below Eiskögele 3233m requires absolutely stable avalanche conditions. Moreover, from the northeast flank of the Hangerer 3020m, self-triggered avalanches must always be considered. Then, one proceeds over beautiful, not too steep terrain up to about 2800m, where the Hangerersee is located approximately. Here the two ascent routes diverge. The route then goes southeast over gently sloping and nicely contoured terrain, gaining little altitude at first. It increasingly touches the tongue of the part of the Hangererferner glacier that flows down from the north cirque of Vorderer Seelenkogel 3286m. The route leads to an easily accessible saddle, over which one reaches another glacier area of the Hangererferner on the northeast flank of Vorderer Seelenkogel 3286m. Due to climate warming, this ice area is increasingly retreating, causing the glacier front to become steeper, making the avalanche danger on this long, steep glacier slope increasingly difficult to assess year by year. After overcoming this slope, the next saddle is crossed without problems to the ice-free east flank of the tour goal. Here altitude is gained and an attempt is made to reach the beginning of the north ridge. A few more meters can still be climbed with skis on. Shortly before the summit, the ascent ends; the last meters have to be covered partly by bootpacking, partly by easy climbing (partly grade II difficulty). The terrain in the final meters also shows that very secure avalanche conditions must prevail on this tour and that spring is generally the best time for this. If such requirements must apply for an ascent, then it is probably also feasible to choose another, ski-wise much more attractive descent variant in the upper area of the tour. From the beginning of the north ridge, at optimal conditions, one traverses to the north side of Vorderer Seelenkogel and then descends over the northern cirque part of Hangererferner glacier. Here the snow conditions are usually more favorable, and powder snow can still be found in spring. A descent in the upper part along the ascent route would lose some altitude due to traverses. In the northern cirque, a direct descent line can be chosen instead.
Schönwies hut
Public transport
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The final stop or exit point is ÖTZTAL station. Afterwards, you can conveniently and quickly travel through the entire valley to your desired destination using public transport or local taxi services! The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at
Directions
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is located in the west of Austria in the federal 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 online right away using the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps
Parking
The following parking options are available in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl:
- Parking lot village center Obergurgl (down to the right in front of the church, behind the multi-purpose building which also houses the information office) parking meter with coin slot
- Parking lot village entrance – Festkoglbahn valley station, free of charge – no overnight parking
- Parking lot Hochgurglbahn valley station, free of charge – no overnight parking
- Parking lot Top Mountain Crosspoint, free of charge
- Parking lot Hochgurgl, free of charge (very small parking lot)
Coordinates
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" includes a harness, two Prusik loops or ascenders of different lengths, two HMS carabiners, ice axe, crampons and a rope. Carry a backpack with appropriate contents, including change of clothing, sun protection, cold protection, food and enough to drink! When staying overnight in huts, don't forget toiletries and a hut sleeping bag!
DIFFICULTY RATING
- Easy: Easy, short to moderately long routes with ascents that do not or only briefly exceed 25°.
- Medium: Moderately difficult, moderately long to long routes with ascents that do not or only briefly exceed 35°.
- Difficult: Difficult, long to very long routes with ascents reaching 40° or more, and climbing sections up to grade II difficulty (UIAA).
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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