SKI TOUR THROUGH THE KARWENDEL: WITHOUT A CAR
One of the special features of the Nordkette is its direct connection to the city. This ski tour also benefits from this, as the journey can be made in an environmentally friendly way by bike and public transport.
With our skis and poles attached to our rucksacks, we cycle along the Inn to Löwenhaus station, where we park our bikes and board the Hungerburgbahn. Less than half an hour later, we arrive comfortably at our starting point, the Hafelekar.
OFF INTO THE KARWENDEL!
At the station building, the skis are first shouldered a few meters to the start of the Goetheweg. The Goetheweg is easily recognizable even in snow and is often icy in spring. A safe skiing technique is a prerequisite here! We strap on our skis and ski along the path for about 500 meters. Snow-free sections may have to be negotiated without skis. From a small saddle at approx. 2266 m, we take our first look "behind the scenes", namely through the entrance to the Gleierschkar. As this forms a narrow, steep gully at the beginning, it can be easier to ski down the first few meters without skis. The cirque then opens up and becomes increasingly flat. On our descent, we keep to the right and pass the striking Gleierschzähne in a wide arc. Passing the base of a rocky ridge, we ski down almost to the tree line at around 1800 m.
AUI - OI - AUI
In the sparse mountain pine terrain, the first skins are removed and a wonderful ascent follows in an easterly direction to the head of the valley or Mandlscharte. The steep slope there is conquered in several hairpin bends. Once at the top, the view opens up again to the south over the Arzler Scharte into the Inntal valley.
From there, we ride the south-east facing slope and turn left before the Arzler Scharte into the flat valley in the direction of the Pfeishütte. Our descent ends after a few meters on flat ground, where the final ascent begins.
First we climb very flat towards the east and Pfeiser Spitze and then a little steeper until we reach the Stempeljoch (2215m). From here we have a fantastic view of the Rumer Spitze opposite.
OVER THE HERRENHÄUSER INTO THE HALLTAL
From Stempeljoch we descend approx. 600 m to Issanger. Depending on the snow conditions, the first steep meters have to be overcome on foot. Then a wide, fantastic ski slope opens up, which flattens out at around 1700. Here we follow the course of the valley and ascend for another 10 minutes on the forest road to Issjöchl, from where we head out of the valley past the impressive manor houses. Depending on the snow conditions, you may have to carry your skis for the last stretch. At the bus stop "Bettelwurfsiedlung" we take the line 503 back to Innsbruck.
Ascent: approx. 700 m (depending on the variant)
Descent: approx. 2,200 m
Distance: approx. 18 km
Further information: https: //www.alpenvereinaktiv.com/de/tour/hafelekar-stempeljoch/37721195/#dmdtab=oax-tab3
Caution: This challenging ski tour takes you outside the secured ski area. Only accessible in safe avalanche conditions. Good skiing technique is a prerequisite!
