Skitouring and Freeriding
in Austria, Styria
Schladming-Dachstein offers mountains of opportunities – for rookies as well as experienced alpinists. And regardless of your physical condition, one thing is certain to take your breath away: our unique scenery.
When you’re up in the mountains, correct preparation is the be-all and end-all. From the right gear including avalanche transponder, shovel, probe, helmet and airbag system, to a careful check of current weather and snow conditions, along with a keen awareness of wildlife protection zones: there are all kinds of things you need to bear in mind. That said, your efforts ahead of time will be more than rewarded by extraordinary nature experiences.
Behavior in nature
When you are out on a ski tour, you can enjoy nature to the full. However, do not forget that you are entering the natural habitat of animals. That’s why we ask you to be considerate of your natural setting, both by staying on designated routes as well as paying attention to the following points:
- avoid wildlife quiet zones and protected habitats.
- in forest especially, stick to hiking paths and forestry lanes.
- avoid the forest’s edge and snow-free areas.
- keep dogs on a leash.
- Stay as far away as possible from wildlife feeding stations and do not enter them!
Our Skitours
Info for skitouring on the Galsterberg
The Galsterberg offers ski tourers their own ascent track.
This starts at the valley station Galsterbergbahn directly at the start portal and leads to the mountain station Vorderkar at 1.984m.
The route is marked with boards - please pay attention to the guidance system and follow the signposted route.
All skiers need a ski touring ticket or valid ski ticket, which must be carried and will be checked by our staff.
Touring Tickets 2023/24
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Skitouring Dayticket - without lift use | € 12,00 |
| Skitouring Dayticket - incl. ascent with the Galsterberg cable car | € 18,00 |
| Skitouring Card Winter - valid at Planai, Hochwurzen, Galsterberg, Rittisberg & Fageralm | € 150,00 |
| Ski amadé ALL-IN skitouring Card - valid for all marked piste tours in Ski amadé | € 265,00 |
For the ascent and the use of the infrastructure such as slopes, parking, guidance system, etc. a service fee must be paid (except ski pass holders).
- You can get this ticket at the ticket machine at the parking lot or directly at the cash desk at the Galsterbergbahn valley station!
- ATTENTION: Ticket machine only takes coins and does not give return money as well as ATM & credit cards with NFC function!
- The ticket must be taken with you on the ascent, as controls are carried out on the slopes.
General info about the ticket & ski touring
- The ticket is personal and non-transferable.
- No refund for lost tickets.
- Unforeseen weather situation does not entitle to refund.
- Refund only with medical certificate from a local doctor or hospital.
- Reduced offer does not entitle to reduction of the respective ticket price.
- By purchasing a named ski touring ticket, the ticket holder agrees to an automatic registration of personal data. The customer agrees that this data is computerized, processed and deleted as soon as it is no longer needed, but no later than three years after the last customer contact, for control purposes to prevent misuse of the ticket and for customer service purposes.
- Tickets are to be presented to the control organ for visual inspection in the event of spot checks.
- Anyone who uses touring services without a valid ticket is liable to prosecution under Austrian law. Violations will be punished with a fine (€ 50,--) or with a report to the police.
- The rules of conduct of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the guidelines presented by the cable car company (behavior, opening hours, etc.) have unlimited validity.
- For rescue and transport after accidents a rescue fee of € 120,-- has to be paid.
Skitouring at night at Galsterberg
Piste walking is allowed to the following days:
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
On piste 1 between the Galsterbergbahn valley station and the Galsterbergalmhütte, piste walking and downhill skiing is permitted between 18:00 and 22:00.
The upper section of piste 1 (top station chairlift and the Galsterbergalmhütte) may be used between 18:00 and 21:00 hrs.*
*No contractual liability for recommended evening descent!
Info for skitouring on the Hochwurzen
On the Hochwurzen, ski tourers can expect their own ascent track.
This starts at the valley station Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen directly at the start portal and leads to the mountain station Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen at 1,852m.
The route is marked with boards - please pay attention to the guidance system and follow the signposted route.
The slopes and ascent tracks are open from 8:30 to 17:00.
All skiers need a skitouring ticket or a valid ski ticket, which must be carried and will be checked by our staff.
Touring Tickets 2023/24
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Skitouring Daytickets - inkl. ascent with the Rohrmoos I chairlift | € 12,00 |
| Skitouring Card winter - valid at Planai, Hochwurzen, Galsterberg, Rittisberg & Fageralm | € 150,00 |
| Ski amadé ALL-IN skitouring Card - valid for all marked piste tours in Ski amadé | € 265,00 |
For the ascent and the use of the infrastructure such as slopes, parking, guidance system, etc. a service fee must be paid (except ski pass holders).
- You can get this ticket at the ticket machine at the parking lot or directly at the cash desk at the Gipfelbahn valley station!
- ATTENTION: Ticket machine only takes coins and does not give return money as well as ATM & credit cards with NFC function!
- The ticket must be taken with you on the ascent, as controls are carried out on the slopes.
General info about the ticket & ski touring
- The ticket is personal and non-transferable.
- No refund for lost tickets.
- Unforeseen weather situation does not entitle to refund.
- Refund only with medical certificate from a local doctor or hospital.
- Reduced offer does not entitle to reduction of the respective ticket price.
- By purchasing a named ski touring ticket, the ticket holder agrees to an automatic registration of personal data. The customer agrees that this data is computerized, processed and deleted as soon as it is no longer needed, but no later than three years after the last customer contact, for control purposes to prevent misuse of the ticket and for customer service purposes.
- Tickets are to be presented to the control organ for visual inspection in the event of spot checks.
- Anyone who uses touring services without a valid ticket is liable to prosecution under Austrian law. Violations will be punished with a fine (€ 50,--) or with a report to the police.
- The rules of conduct of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the guidelines presented by the cable car company (behavior, opening hours, etc.) have unlimited validity.
- For rescue and transport after accidents a rescue fee of € 120,-- has to be paid.
Skitouring at night at Hochwurzen
As soon as the evening operation takes place, piste walking is permitted on the following days:
Monday to Saturday
The ascent route between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. is via slope 33. The starting point is at the valley station of the Hochwurzen summit lift at the start portal. From there, ascend to the summit via the signposted track on the left (eastern) side of the piste. The descent between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. is via the night slope 33 to the Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen valley station.
No ascent is possible between 16:00 and 19:00.
Please ensure strict compliance!
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. the slope is closed on the slopes not listed due to the risk of serious accidents during piste preparation (winch, etc.). It is forbidden to drive on or enter the closed slopes.
As soon as the evening operation takes place, piste walking is permitted on the following days:
Tuesday to Saturday
The ascent route between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. is via slope 33. The starting point is at the valley station of the Hochwurzen summit lift at the start portal. From there, ascend to the summit via the signposted track on the left (eastern) side of the piste. The descent between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. is via the night slope 33 to the Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen valley station.
No ascent is possible between 16:00 and 19:00.
Please ensure strict compliance!
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. the slope is closed on the slopes not listed due to the risk of serious accidents during piste preparation (winch, etc.). It is forbidden to drive on or enter the closed slopes.
As soon as the evening operation takes place, piste walking is permitted on the following days:
Wednesday to Saturday
The ascent route between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. is via slope 33. The starting point is at the valley station of the Hochwurzen summit lift at the start portal. From there, ascend to the summit via the signposted track on the left (eastern) side of the piste. The descent between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. is via the night slope 33 to the Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen valley station.
No ascent is possible between 16:00 and 19:00.
Please ensure strict compliance!
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. the slope is closed on the slopes not listed due to the risk of serious accidents during piste preparation (winch, etc.). It is forbidden to drive on or enter the closed slopes.
Skitouring at Planai
There is a separate ascent track for ski tourers on the Planai. This starts at the Planai middle station / Lärchkogelbahn valley station and leads to the Planai summit at 1,906m.
The route is marked with boards - please pay attention to the guidance system and follow the signposted route.
The slopes and ascent tracks are open from 8:30 to 17:00.
All skiers need a skitouring ticket, a season pass or a valid ski ticket, which must be carried and will be checked by our staff.
Touring Tickets 2023/234
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Daytickets - valid at Planai, Hochwurzen & Galsterberg | € 12,00 |
| Skitouring Dayticket - incl. ascent with the first section of the Planai cable car | € 15,50 |
| Skitouring Card winter - valid at Planai, Hochwurzen, Galsterberg, Rittisberg & Fageralm | € 150,00 |
| Ski amadé ALL-IN skitouring Card - valid for all marked piste tours in Ski amadé | € 265,00 |
For the ascent and the use of the infrastructure such as slopes, parking, guidance system, etc. a service fee must be paid (except ski pass holders).
- This ticket is available directly at the ticket office at the Lärchkogel valley station.
- The ticket must be taken with you on the ascent, as checks are carried out on the slopes.
General info about the ticket & ski touring
- The ticket is personal and non-transferable.
- No refund for lost tickets.
- Unforeseen weather situation does not entitle to refund.
- Refund only with medical certificate from a local doctor or hospital.
- Reduced offer does not entitle to reduction of the respective ticket price.
- By purchasing a named ski touring ticket, the ticket holder agrees to an automatic registration of personal data. The customer agrees that this data is computerized, processed and deleted as soon as it is no longer needed, but no later than three years after the last customer contact, for control purposes to prevent misuse of the ticket and for customer service purposes.
- Tickets are to be presented to the control organ for visual inspection in the event of spot checks.
- Anyone who uses touring services without a valid ticket is liable to prosecution under Austrian law. Violations will be punished with a fine (€ 50,--) or with a report to the police.
- The rules of conduct of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the guidelines presented by the cable car company (behavior, opening hours, etc.) have unlimited validity.
- For rescue and transport after accidents a rescue fee of € 120,-- has to be paid.
Skitouring at Rittisberg
The slopes and ascent tracks are open from 8:30 to 16:00.
The use of the pistes outside the stated times is prohibited - strict compliance is requested!
Touring tickets 2023/24
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Daytickets | € 10,00 |
| Season card - valid at Fageralm, Planai, Hochwurzen, Galsterberg & Rittisberg | € 150,00 |
For the ascent and the use of the infrastructure such as slopes, parking, guidance system, etc. a service fee must be paid (except ski pass holders).
Skitouring Fageralm
The pistes are open for ski tourers daily from 08:30 to 17:00.
The use of the pistes outside the stated times is prohibited - strict compliance is requested!
Touring tickets 2023/24
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Daytickets | € 14,00 |
| Season card - valid at Fageralm, Planai, Hochwurzen, Galsterberg & Rittisberg | € 150,00 |
For the ascent and the use of the infrastructure such as slopes, parking, guidance system, etc. a service fee must be paid (except ski pass holders).
Safety on the mountain
Avalanche Warning
Avalanche Wanrning Level 1:
The snowpack is generally compact and stable. Avalanches are only released if the snow is subject to significant additional stress in extremely steep terrain and at isolated locations. Only spontaneous smaller avalanches are possible, while touring conditions are generally safe.
Avalanche Wanrning Level 2:
Avalanches are only released if the snow is subject to major additional stress. On some ountainsides, with more than a 30° incline, the snow cover is only moderately stable, though otherwise good. Extremely steep mountainsides should be avoided.
Avalanche Wanrning Level 3:
On many mountainsides, the snowpack is only minimally to moderately stable. Avalanches are possible especially on steep slopes and even under minimal additional stress. Furthermore, moderate and even bigger avalanches may release quite spontaneously.
Avalanche Wanrning Level 4:
On many mountainsides, snowpack stability is weak and almost nonexistent. Even when subject to very little additional stress, such as a single skier, avalanches are possible, including many spontaneous moderate to large avalanches. Ski touring is not advised.
Avalanche Wanrning Level 5:
The snow cover is virtually not stable at all. Big avalanches are possible even in moderately steep terrain. Ski touring is not possible at Avalanche Warning Level 5. Prior to any expedition, always check on current avalanche conditions: www.lawine-steiermark.at
Each skier is individually responsible for selecting the right route, assessing their own experience, abilities and alpine dangers when touring in alpine regions!
Equipment Tips
For the well-being of you and your companions, as well as for the environment, always prepare well for your impending tour and bring along appropriate equipment. In order to guarantee your safety, you should always be equipped with:
- an avalanche transponder
- mobile phone
- shovel
- avalanche probe
- first-aid kit
- plenty of food and drink
- and potentially a change of clothing
Ski touring pin
Reach 4 of 7 goals and automatically enter the competition.
Here's how it works:
In order to receive a ski touring pin, you have to reach two checkpoints on each tour - "Check in" in the valley and "Check in" on the mountain. After you have successfully logged in at all two checkpoints, you will receive a ski touring pin.
Stage ski tour needles
You also get a needle when you reach a stage finish. This means that even the "check in" at a tour counts and you get a small pin.
At the end of the winter season, great prizes will be raffled off among all the Schladming-Dachstein ski tour needles that have been reached!
