Oetztaler Alps Ski Traverse

Oetztal Alps Ski Traverse Itinerary aka Vent Loop (German” Venter Runde”)

Travel/Arrival Day: Vent, Austria

Arrive at our preferred Hotel in the quaint mountain village of Vent at the very end of the Oetztal (=Oetz Valley). Your guide will meet you after breakfast the next morning (exact date/time will be provided in your trip letter). Your first meeting with your guide will include an equipment check, weather forecast review, trip briefing.

Day 1: Vent to Martin Busch Hut

Breakfast at the hotel. Be ready to meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel at 8:30am for an equipment check and trip briefing. You will depart the hotel to begin the trek directly following the briefing. Climb to the ‘Martin Busch Hut (2.500m). In the afternoon, we usually venture towards the Saykogel Peak for some turns with a light pack. Lodging at the Martin Busch Hut.

3 hrs to the hut, 670 m (2,200 ft) vertical climb and 8 km (5 mi) horizontal distance.

*The Martin Busch Hut is closed for renovations until winter 2029. We will substitute with an additional night at the Similaun Hut.

Day 2: Martin Busch Hut to Similaun Hut

Easy climb via the ‘Niederjochferner’ Glacier to the Similaun Hut (3020m, technically located in Italy’s South Tirol Province with German-speaking hut keepers) for lunch and deposit of our overnight gear. Afterward, we climb to the summit of the Similaun (3700 m), the last 100 meters without skis. Beautiful descent back down to the hut.
6 hours, 1.100 m (3,600 ft) vertical climb, , 600 m (2,000 ft) descent.

Strong groups can also opt to descend the steeper northern aspect branch of the Niederjochferner Glacier when descending from the Similaun, which comes with an additional 200 meters of descent and ascent today but rewards with steeper terrain and often better snow.

Day 3: Similaun Hut to Hochjoch Hospitz

A bit of a shorter day today. Climb to the Hauslabjoch (3280 m) and on to the Fineilspitze (3600 m). The last 30 minutes involve an easy scramble along an exciting ridge. Long descent to the Rofen Ache (creek) and a 30-minute climb will take us to the beautiful Hochjoch Hospitz (2410 m), a hut with lots of history and ambiance, where we will spend two nights.

6 hours, ascent 750 m (2,460 ft), descent 1000 m (3,280 ft).

Day 4: Hochjoch Hospitz

With light day packs we will head to the Langtauferer Spitze Peak (3500 m, 11,500 ft) via the Hintereisferner Glacier. The peak ascent involves a short bit of scrambling to the summit and rewards with a steep north-easterly ski descent back down to the glacier and eventually to the Hochjoch Hospiz Hut.

6 hrs round trip, 1200 m (4,000ft) vertical, and 11 km (7 mi) distance one way.

Very fit groups can try to climb the Weisskugel Peak (3740 m , 12,270 feet), the highest of the Oetztal range and located on the Italian side of the divide via the Hintereisjochpass (3470 m = 11,388 feet). The summit ridge of the Weisskugel is very exposed and narrow and usually requires crampons. Descent along the same route for another night in the Hochjoch Hospiz: 8 – 10 hrs round trip, 1330 m (4,360 ft) vertical and 15 km (9.4 mi) distance one way.

Day 5: Hochjoch Hospitz to Vernagt Hut

Via the Kesselwandferner (glacier) to the Oberes Guslar Joch (where we can cache our backpacks) and on to the Fluchtkogel (3500 m = 11,480 feet) Great run on a northern aspect down the Guslar Glacier to the Vernagt Hut (2755 m = 9,040 feet) for lodging.

6-7 hours, 1090 m (3575 ft) vertical climb, 750 m (2450 feet) descent.

Day 6: Vernagt Hut to Vent

We finish the traverse with a highlight in every concern: An ascent of Tirol’s highest peak, the Wildspitze (3.770 m, 12365 ft) Once again, the last few meters we have to negotiate on crampons. A beautiful run takes us down from the summit back to the village of Vent, where we should arrive mid-afternoon. Overnight stay in Vent at our preferred hotel. You will be tired!

8 hours, 900 m (2,950 ft) climb, 1.300 m (4,260 ft) descent.

Departure/Travel Day:

Your trip officially concludes after breakfast. Thank you for joining us on the Oetztaler – safe travels!

Inclusions

Included:

• 6 days of guiding by an internationally (UIAGM/IFMGA) certified, multilingual, mountain guide or guide aspirant under supervision
• 2 nights lodging at a 3-star hotel in Vent in a double room with an excellent breakfast
• 5 nights in huts/mountain lodges in multi-bed rooms with half board (dinner and breakfast)
• Luggage Storage
• All trip organization and assistance with your pre-and post-trip arrangements.

Not Included:

• Airline tickets
• Transport from and to the trailhead in Vent, Austria
• Dinners for the nights in Vent
• Lunches, beverages, and snacks
• avalanche safety equipment (shovel, probe, and avalanche transceiver)
• Rental equipment (if necessary)
• Insurance
• Additional costs in case of itinerary changes (adverse weather or mountain conditions, preferences, fatigue, lack of skills etc…)
• Single room (surcharge applies)

Single room surcharge: EUR €70

Transportation

Our Oetztaler Ski Traverse begins from the little quaint village of Vent, at the very end of the Oetztal (=Oetz Valley) and one the highest permanently settled places in the Alps at 1900 meters above sea level. Vent is located 270 km (3.15 hrs) from Munich and 100 km (2 hr drive) from Innsbruck via Inntal Highway.

Public Transport
1. Train to Ötztal Bahnhof

If you are arriving into Munich International Airport you can train to Ötztal Bahnhof (Vorplatz), Österreich when travelling by Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains.

From Innsbruck Airport you can travel by train to Ötztal Bahnhof with OEBB train services.

From Zurich Airport you can travel by train with SBB train services to Ötztal, Bahnhof (Vorplatz)

2. Bus from Ötztal Bahnhof to Vent (via Sölden)
From Ötztal Bahnhof you can catch bus route 4194 which are already waiting in front of the train station to take you to the Oetz Valley to the village of Sölden (Takes about 45 minutes from Ötztal).  Then a smaller bus route 8400 connects to Vent, where it stops right on front of our preferred Hotel – bus stop is called Vent Hotel Post.
For Timetables & bus schedules click here

On a custom basis, we also offer group transport services in a 9 seater van.

Oetztaler Private Group Pricing

Why not find some friends and put together your own group? For private groups, we can offer the following pricing assuming the same inclusions :

2 participants: 60% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
3 participants: 40% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
4 participants: 20% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
5 participants: Our advertised per-person price
6 – 8 participants: 10% discount from our advertised per person price*

*we only confirm a group of 8 with 1 guide if all participants are strong skiers with previous multi-day hut trip experience, and at our discretion. For groups that are not as strong, we recommend 2 guides, in which case the discount does not apply.

For groups larger than 8, please reach out to us for a custom quote.

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here

Equipment Rental

Some of our clients had good experiences renting at one of the larger sport shops in Soelden at a pretty good rate – they have an online portal, however it’s in German once you get past the entrance page but you can also send them an e-mail. http://www.glanzer.at/en
We also have a contact for a fellow guide in Vent (5 mins from the hotel) who has a selection of ski’s available to rent mostly skinny, carving skis that had maybe 70cm under foot. Please contact us directly if you require his contact details.

Will we need ski crampons and/or boot crampons?

For spring ski touring in the Alps the ski crampons are imperative for about 70% of all trips. Once the typical spring diurnal weather cycle kicks in you will likely be walking on a melt-freeze crust on any solar aspects. The boot crampons work well for shorter, steep bits that go straight up but you will likely find yourself on extended side-hilling on a melt-freeze crust that carries for skis but you’d post-hole on boots with crampons. Consequently, what travels easily with ski crampons turns into an excruciating nightmare on boots…

That being said, if you end up picking a week that has more wintery weather with snow fall every day you may not need them at all! But if you do need them, you REALLY need them!

Boots crampons are always a delicate subject. Whether clip-binding in front or behind, one fits on one shoe and not on the other or vice versa.The crampons that always fit are paradoxically the ones that are slowest to put on, those with a strap-binding front and back.

The weight is a very important factor, as well the protective cover to store them safely in the backpack. On Monte Cevedale, for example, we would not make it up to the summit (in certain weather conditions) without boot crampons. And on Monte Pasquale can be challenging without crampons because of 15 meters of hard ground. Please bring a pair along and if the guide feels you do not need them, they can be left with your luggage at the hotel.

Are there extras we can purchase at the huts and will we need cash?

All of the huts provide a three- to four-course dinner (soup, sometimes salad, main with meat and dessert), and breakfast (coffee, tea, bread, butter, jam, cheese, sometimes also sausage). These meals are included in your trip price. However, be sure to bring some Euro cash for the extras in the accommodations as they often do not accept credit cards.

Can the Oetztaler Ski Traverse be done on a splitboard?

Generally, the Oetztaler can be done on splitboard however not highly recommended. Splitboarders with lots of prior touring experience in technical terrain may be suitable, please give us a call to discuss your options. Other ski touring trips would be more enjoyable for a Splitboarder: Ortler Ski Traverse.

To be on the safe side, we suggest bringing about 50 Euros in cash per day.

Beverages are available for € 3-6 . Good wine costs € 20-35 per bottle. The water at the huts is officially not drinkable, but our guides say “although it is good”. When showers are available, they cost around € 3, or shower + towel is around € 5.

You can purchase lunch-to-go at the huts and in the valleys. Snacks, sandwiches, and hot lunchtime meals can also be purchased in the huts for € 10 to 20.

Trip Details

Guide Meeting Point

Either meet your guide for dinner on your arrival day in Vent or for breakfast on day 1 at your hotel. Exact date/time of the guide meeting will be confirmed in your trip letter.

Climate/Weather

February – Mid May, with March and April being the most popular time.
Temperatures can vary hugely: If wintery weather patterns prevail, you can expect temps between -5 C and -22 C. In spring the temperature spread increases from -10 C overnight to +15 C, especially on sunny days and when descending to the valleys.

Lunches 

Lunches are not included in our trip packages. We recommend packing a lunch for the first day of trekking. Packed lunches are available at each hut and must be ordered the night before. If you have a guide, please discuss as a group what the next day’s lunch plans are as some group may opt to dine-in at a hut along the way.

Luggage Storage and Transfers

You can use the hotel luggage storage facilities at your own risk. Neither OnTop nor the hotel accepts any responsibility for loss of or damage to the luggage or the contents (including any valuables, even if we have been advised) during storage, the disposal process or any luggage transfers that may be part of your trip package. That being said, we have never had any issues with lost luggage during storage or transfer.

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that does cover adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering”  if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/  which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

Can I Do It?

Strenuous backcountry ski tour in alpine, often glaciated terrain on alpine touring (randonnée) or sturdy telemark equipment. You must be able to ski safely and controlled at all times while wearing a mid-weight backpack (7-10 kg /15 lb-22 lb). In other words, you don’t have to be an excellent skier but rather a solid mountain skier with good “survival skiing skills” to where you are able to negotiate even adverse snow conditions without falling while still raveling at a decent pace.

You need to be in very good physical and mental condition, ready to be on your feet for about 8 hrs daily including, steep, continuous uphill climbs of up to 1200 meters (4100 ft) on some of the days. Some of the peak ascents require scrambling along exposed ridges on crampons, however the more challenging peak ascents can also be “waited out at the ski depot” and the guide will carry a rope for those clients who prefer a belay. There is the option for a midweek rest day as we will be staying two nights in the same hut.

We do not recommend this trip for backcountry ski touring beginners!

We also do not recommend this trip for splitboarders. Splitboarders with lots of prior touring experience in technical terrain may be suitable, please give us a call to discuss your options.

Feedback

References of prior guests: We will gladly put potential clients in touch with previous participants of each trip in order for interested guests to get personalized references and their questions answered from a more objective point of view than what our office could provide.

“Guide: Walter was very good. He kept us well informed, managed our time well (ie getting up early!), and posed some interesting alternatives for a couple of the days. He was a lot of fun, and helpful. The only criticism from Lawrence and I is that most of the days he let the group get spread out too much. This was mainly because he was ahead, and going faster than some at the back could manage. Perhaps there was a message that we have to move quickly, but that could have been accomplished in other ways. And, it wouldn’t have made any difference, because the person who was often at the back was going as quickly as she could. I am going to make a guess at how far we were spread at times, because I know that my comment is vague… I am guessing between 250m and 500m. I haven’t done a lot of guided trips, but this seemed like a lot to me. When I ski with friends we are almost always within close talking distance… less than 100m.
Itinerary: Excellent. I would recommend this trip to any of my friends. Spectacular route, great huts, reasonable length days, interesting options for additional runs. It was really nice to spend 2 nights at one place. It gave the keeners a chance to do something interesting with lighter pack, and others a chance to have a more mellow day.
Lodging/Food quantity and quality: Very good. There was one night when 5 of us were crammed into a very small room, but the rest of the situations were great. Food was good and ample!! Loved staying at the Wildspitze in Vent! A minor curiosity/frustration, was the lack of hand soap at any of the huts. Many had wonderful new washroom facilities that were very clean, but no soap! I believe that a good way of reducing the likelihood of getting sick in a group situation like a hut is hand washing. Of course there is nothing you (ie OnTop) can do about that. 10/10 “ Carol E., Canada

Guide: Very good, Walter’s guiding style was a bit different to what I am used to in Canada but it was appropriate for the terrain and conditions, mostly he had a very relaxed approach but he was firm when he needed to be. Suitably informative
Itinerary: Perfect, for my first (summer mountaineering) to the Alps in 1982 I was based in Vent, on this trip I was keen to revisit some of the places and peaks I had been to then. The itinerary was perfect for that.
Lodging: Excellent, really liked the Wildspitz, I would have liked to have stayed longer, huts were quite a step up from those I have previously stayed in Switzerland and France. Food quality was superb. Quantity was often on the large side for me.  8/10″ Ron C., Canada

“Guide: As you might remember, I requested Jim to be our guide. I have skied with Jim all over the world and know his guiding style. Given that Jim is not a local guide, he did well, consulting with other guides for their insights on local issues. We summited 2 major peaks and bypassed two major peaks due to weather. The four clients moved at different speeds and had different comfort levels in challenging show and weather conditions.
The weather was quite variable so it was difficult to make a judgment on some planned routes, especially the “Wildspitz” day. Jim did his best to find a consensus that met the goals of the four individuals but respected safety as the #1 criterion.
Itinerary: Great/classic itinerary.
Lodging/Food quantity and quality: The huts were some of the best that I have experienced. I was particularly impressed by the modernized toilets and hot showers.
Food quantity and quality was excellent. The Pirpamer family is very kind.
10/10″ Brian L., Canada