Freeriding

"The conditions here in Damüls Faschina are absolutely ideal," enthuses the medical student, who now spends a lot of time in Innsbruck. "Many routes can be reached from the lift without a long walk. It's great when you can ski directly from the lift and for a very long time. Fortunately, our freeride area has not yet been discovered by the masses. In other areas, the fresh powder snow is already tracked out after an hour because lots of people are cruising down at the same time. In Faschina and Damüls, on the other hand, you can still find untouched slopes after a day," reports Sperger proudly. However, individual skiing follows its own rules. Even in this snow paradise, strength and a lot of body control are an advantage when skiing in deep snow.

What fascinates freeriders? "You used to just ski in deep snow. It was just about making your tracks. Now, instead of making short turns, you experience the pure feeling of freedom. It's like floating on snow. Thanks to the new technology of the recently wider skis - they are almost twice as wide as piste skis - gliding is easier. It's like "surfing on powder", says the passionate freerider enthusiastically. And what do you need to know before you plunge into the fun? "Experienced athletes find out about the weather and avalanche situation beforehand, check the slope and location - if all the parameters are right, then off you go. Every freerider must know that avalanches can be triggered. "Completing courses and never being unprepared is just as essential as behaving correctly, rescuing buried victims immediately and other knowledge," warns Hanno Sperger.

The classic 3-tub descent from Faschina to Damüls is interesting for advanced skiers. It involves very little walking. From the Glatthornbahn mountain station, it is only a 15-minute walk up to the Schluchtensattel, from where you ski down the three basins one after the other. You can cover 600 vertical meters in untracked, untouched terrain. The view from Faschina to Damüls with Mittagsspitze, Portlahorn and Ragazer Blanken is fantastic. You can look out over the entire Damüls ski area while gliding freely across the terrain. Or you can take the Ragaz lift in Damüls and swing down into the valley. The area near the new Sunnegg lift is recommended even in bad weather. The slope gradient there is ideal, it is relatively safe from avalanches and the forest is close by. In addition to the secured ski routes, there are countless deep snow slopes away from the secured pistes if there is enough snow and the avalanche warning level is low.

Where is Hanno Sperger's favorite place to be? "I like being in Faschina and love the Emer Näpfle. Below the Glatthorn, you continue on foot for a bit until you can ski down over unsecured terrain. It's not an official ski route, not a secured piste. A high degree of personal responsibility applies here and you are only allowed to enter the terrain with the appropriate equipment. An avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are the most important items of equipment that a freerider must always have with them. If you want to be on the safe side, you even have a rucksack with an airbag system. Of course, you have to know how to use these items or you should get trained," explains the qualified ski instructor. "It's best to only go on tours accompanied by a ski instructor or ski guide - so that your vacation is a safe highlight despite the thrills!

Report: Andrea Fritz-Pinggera