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New: 2011 program datesThe greatest high alpine hut to hut ski-touring in AustriaOetztal Alps, Soelden Austria
The Oetztal Alps are located in the Eastern European Alps, in the Tyrol of Austria. It is of no surprise that this great high alpine area belongs amongst the most popular ski-touring areas of the European Alps. Many ski-tourers who have been skiing all the great mountains and glaciers of the alps believe that the Oetztal is one of the most interesting areas for high alpine ski-touring. In my personal opinion it is the reliable snow-pack and the large high alpine terrain, which makes the Oetztal Alps the perfect ski-touring area. Never mind the endless and high quality hospitality for which Austria is well known. The Oetztal Alps are located along the border of the Austrian Tyrol and the Italian South Tyrol, about 60 kilometers south-east of Innsbruck. Who ever has been skiing in the Ortler – Cevedale area and on a clear day has taken photos of the large mountains located in the far north-east, has photographed the Oetztal Alps. The Oetztal Alps are a steep and for most part glaciated area. Most peaks are well over 3500 meters in elevation dominated by the outstanding 3768 meter high Wildspitze. We are planning to run this tour as a hut to hut tour, the Haute Route of the Oetztal. We will meet in the large year round ski-area of Soelden, Austria. From there we take a taxi to Obergurgl and then start our 7 day hut to hut ski-tour as we cross the long glaciers of the Oetztal Alps, ski-climb many of the grand peaks of this area and of-course ski its long and impressive runs. We will also ski past the location where the famous ice-mummy "Otzti" was found in September 1991. Ötzi the Ice Man was found near Hauslabjoch in the Ötzal Alps in September 1991 by two walkers. The Ice Man died approximately 5200 years ago. At death he was between 40 and 50 years old and suffered from a number of medical conditions. He turned into a mummy accidentally almost immediately by the freezing weather conditions that turned him into the Ice Man. Scientists believe that Ötzi was caught in a heavy snowfall, fell asleep, and froze to death. Scientists have concluded this because there were no signs of predator attacks. They believe that the body must have been covered with snow almost immediately. Soelden is the perfect mountain town to stay and acclimatize prior to the ski-trip. The large ski-area has an endless variety of interesting runs and terrain and of course numerous great lifts that take you up into the spectacular high alpine. For your acclimatization we recommend staying at the beautiful Hotel Garni - Granat in Soelden. I am looking forward to guide you in the beautiful Oetztal Mountains and share with you the adventure of incredible skiing, amazing terrain and the pure air of high mountains along with the deep tradition of these mountain villages.
Ruedi Beglinger Dates and Prices
Date: Friday, April 29th to Saturday, May 7th 2011, 8 days
Included in the price, from the time we meet until the end of the program
How to get to Soelden, AustriaFrom North America fly via Frankfurt to International Airport Innsbruck, Austria. From there take the train as far as Oetztal (Train schedule). From Oetztal use the bus to Soelden. GuidesRuedi Beglinger will be your main guide on this ski-trip. He has extensive experience in guiding mountaineering and skiing expeditions in Canada, Alaska, the entire Alps and other parts of the world. Ruedi has been certified by the Swiss (SBV) and the International Guide Association (IFMGA) in 1977. He is an active and professional member of the Canadian Mountain Guide Association (ACMG), the Swiss Mountain Guide Association (SBV) and the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA). Depending on the number of guests there will be a second certified SME Guide. For your safety the guide carries the following items
Program
Ability level:
This program takes place in steep and very rugged high-alpine terrain, which has many crevassed glaciers, glacial seracs and other natural skiing challenges. Some of the ski-ascents and ski-descents lead through exposed and technically difficult terrain, up to 40 degr. firm spring snow, where safe and efficient ski-techniques and ski-discipline are required. For this program each guest has to be an accomplished alpine skier who can ski, efficiently and safely, steep mountain slopes (as found on double Black Diamond downhill ski runs in major ski-areas of North America) and in all kinds of snow conditions with a heavy pack of about 25 lbs. Snow conditions in the Alps can be at times much more challenging than what we usually ski in North America. Often the snow is hard frozen or very firm, can have dangerous boiler-plates (formed by high wind), further it is possible that you might encounter breakable crust. On the other hand it is also common, because of the frequent snow-storms and high elevation, in April and May to experience powder-snow. Whatever snow-conditions this tour has to offer, we ask that all guests can safely and efficiently ski a perfect fall-line under good control and link a minimum of 30 short-radius turns. Further it is important that every guest can safely control their skis in difficult terrain and can execute efficient and safe kick-turns in steeper terrain as found in "double black diamond runs", side-slip on skis in terrain of 40 degr. incline and execute efficient plow-turns. It is important that everybody on the tour enjoys good health and has no difficulties to acclimatize to higher elevation. Every guest has to be physically in good shape. We recommend that everybody is doing active out-door endurance sport (ski-touring, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, biking, long distance jogging etc.) on a regular basis and during the entire year. It is important that you can comfortably ski-climb with a pack of about 25 lbs. for an entire day of maximum 8 hours and that you can cover daily ski-climbs of up to 1400 vertical meters (4300 vertical feet). It is important that you are able to follow instructions given by the guide. Further we recommend that you have skied with Selkirk Mountain Experience in previous programs, either at Canada's Durrand Glacier or on any other program in Canada or the European Alps. This will give you the valuable opportunity to get to know your guide, how Selkirk Mountain Experience runs their programs in achieving the set goals and in reaching a high level of safety. If you have any questions regarding "Ability Level", please do not hesitate to contact Selkirk Mountain Experience. Acclimatizing and Jet-LagOver the many years of guiding guests from North America in the European Alps, we have learned that the long flight from North America to Europe develops serious Jet-Lag for most guests. However, the level of Jet-Lag does affect every person at a different level. One of the most known effects Jet-Lag has on people is the change of the internal clock but also sitting in an air-liner for such long time dehydrates travelers to a large degree. It is difficult to acclimatize to higher elevations while suffering from Jet-Lag. With respect towards the planned program and every guest's health and comfort on the tour, we ask all guests to arrive, at the town where we will meet, a few days earlier (three days recommended) than the actual starting date of the program. While skiing in one of the local ski-areas for two to three days, every guest should be able to overcome Jet-Lag and be able to acclimatize to the elevations of our program much easier and without risk of potential health problems. Booking Conditions
Waiver of liabilityAll guests who ski with Selkirk Mountain Experience Ltd. are asked to sign the form RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT. We ask you to read and sign it and send it together with your registration back to our office. If you have any questions please feel free to phone our office at 250 837 2381 or email us. Detailed ProgramPlease call or e-mail our office to receive a hard-copy of the detailed program which includes all needed information for your ski-trip with us. For this we do need your mailing address. Unfortunately we are not able to e-mail the exact detailed program. Selkirk Mountain Experience View the skiing photo gallery > 
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Oetztal Alps, Austria