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Chris Fellows’s Top Ten Off- Piste Ski Runs in St. Anton, Austria

I have been entranced with St. Anton, Austria since 1988 when I first attended the PSIA National Academy in Austria. I had never seen such vast ski terrain or mountains as big. The skiing opportunities are endless and the culture is ski centric with years of history and national pride in the Tyrol region. I have made a pilgrimage to St. Anton regularly since then and have always returned home with new and exciting stories and plans for the next trip.

In a nutshell the resort of St. Anton has 4 major sections: Galzig, Rendl, Gampen/Kapall and Valuga. The surrounding addtional resorts of Zurs, Stuben and Lech are easily accessible by skiing, bus and lift system. These areas also offer a variety of exciting off-piste objectives. St. Anton is the largest, but can get crowded on the groomed slopes during the high season. When there are crowds on the more popular runs, there is even more reason to venture out of the main stream of traffic.

Here are some of my favorite off-piste ski runs in St. Anton:

1. Bachseite- This is a north facing wall of steep off piste skiing that is easily accessed from the Galzig lift. It drops directly into the easy skiing down route number 4 SteiBbachtal (the Happy Valley). Bachseite is very popular and can get tracked up quickly on a powder day. Best to get there early while avalanche control is being done on the upper mountain. Bachseite is the true mother ship of the Galzig area and a great place to train for steep descents. Lifts- Galzig, Zammermoos, Osthangbahn, Tanzboden Difficulty-Moderate Vertical- 800M

2. Mattun- You can access Mattun either by The top of Kapall or by traversing skiers left off Schindlergrat chair. This run is huge with about 1000 M of vertical and many aspects and pitches. Avalanche danger is a high concern on this run and will be prone to slides in spring time as well as winter. This run also finishes in the Happy Valley for an easy ski out to Mattunbahn or Zammermoosbahn to Galzig. Lifts- top of Kappal, Schindlergrat Difficulty-Moderate Vertical- 1000M

3. Zwischen- This means “between” in German, its between the runs Osthang and Kandahar. This run is a classic warm up for the instructors at the Ski Academy in St. Christoph. The slope gradually steepens until it reaches three narrow gullies that are challenging and require precise short turns and quick feet. At the bottom you will find your self back on piste and you make your way back to Galzigbahn. This run will surely test your short turn technique. Lifts- Galzig Difficulty-Moderate – Difficult Vertical- 800

4. Schindlerkar Chutes- The options are many off this peak but one of my favorite is the Schindlerkar chutes. You access this by circling left off the chair lift and traversing above the prominent chutes that funnel out to the Stubin side of the peak. These lines are committing and require confidant technique. Easier options are available where the group can reassemble at the exit of the chutes. One of my favorite lunch spots is at the finish of this route. The Ulmer Hutte has the best apple strudel on this side of the mountain. Lifts- Schindlergrat Difficulty- Difficult Vertical- 500

5. Maienvasen- This run starts at the top of the Galzig. This wide open bowl funnels into steeper terrain with skiable ridge lines and sometimes fluted snow drifts. The snow can be excellent, however later in the day as it warms the snow can become tricky and sticky. The exit requires some sidestepping but a path through the woods soon delivers you to an on slope hutte called Senn. As a young ski instructor I would end all my classes here for a refreshment before skiing down to the village. Lifts- Schindlergrat Difficulty- Difficult Vertical- 500

6. Schimmelegg- This slope is the prominent nose off Rendl. After taking the Gampberg lift follow a wide ridge facing north west. This ridge may have wind effected snow and deep wind ribs keep speed down here. Once you are into the open snowfields excellent powder can be had. As you hit the tree line head right toward the bottom of hinter Rendl. You can follow a well tracked path out to the Rendl home run. I have had some of my best NASTC powder runs in St. Anton here. Lifts- Gampberg Difficulty- Moderate Vertical- 1150M

7. Valluga Nord- The exposed top station of the Valluga can be intimidating with huge exposure on every side. But a safe and often skied decent skirts the back side of the Valluga and rolls into enjoyable slopes that finish in Zurs. This is a guided only tour due to the restrictions on the lift. I usully make this full day tour that will include exploration of Zur’s off piste lines as well as a incredible lunch at the Golden Croix a world famous on hill lunch spot. Lifts- Valluga I, Valluga II Difficulty- Moderate, difficult Vertical- 900M

8. Schongraben- off the top of the Kapall lift Go towards the north east facing slopes. Follow moderate rolling terrain to the bottom of the Schongraben T-bar, either take the T-bar back up for more powder or drop down into narrower gullies that descend into good tree skiing. As you continue down you will cross a tobobban run road and will take that down to Nasserein. Lifts- Kappalbahn Difficulty- Moderate Vertical- 1000M

9. Langen- The first time I did this run I was blown away at the amount of consistent quality vertical we got. Route finding is a challenge and their exist many avalanche terrain traps. Passing the Kalltenberghutte you descend long moderate slopes into excellent tree skiing. The long runs are a mix of interesting terrain features that end in a sweet smelling pine forest. The snow covered exit road meanders down to the village of Langen where a train can be caught back to St. Anton. Another option back is to catch a taxi to Stuben, have lunch at Hannes Schnider’s haus and ski more off-piste on in Stuben until closing time. I have 10 favorite off-piste runs just in Stuben alone. Lifts- Albonagrat, Sonnleitenlift Difficulty- Moderate Vertical- 1200M

10. Hinterer Rendl- This northeast facing valley is an adventure playground of off-piste skiing. From top station drop into wide open valley, several routes can be taken depending on your commitment level. The potential of getting cliffed-out is high if you don’t know where you are going. Route finding through the valley is easier with clear skies and good light. This big valley holds a lot of snow and has caught may unsuspecting skiers in slides. The skiing is easy to moderate depending on your line. The exit winds through a forest and contours back out to the Rendl home run. Very FUN! Lifts- Riffelbahn 2 Difficulty- Moderate Vertical- 1350M Endless Possibilities on Albona

*The ratings I give these runs can change considerably as conditions and weather change. Ski with caution, with avalanche rescue equipment, and with a guide.