Ötztal Traverse trip information

This information package is for guests who have already booked a trip. If you have landed on this page via an internet search then you may contact me for information about this trip or others like it.

If you are signed up for the trip please read the following information carefully. It should answer all of the questions you may have.

If you get nothing else from this information package, please do the following:

• Read and understand the waiver and acknowledge the risk ahead of time. You don’t need to sign the waiver now, you will do that once you arrive for the trip.

• Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.

The following information is included in this package:

• Risk Discussion

• Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Food and Medical Issues

• What the price includes and does not include

• Important Dates and Times

• Delays and Trip Interruptions

• Travel Considerations

• Staying Connected

• The Skiing and Terrain

• Staff

Risk Discussion

It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk to backcountry skiing. These risks are shared by both the group and the guides. Some of these risks include:

• snow avalanche

• cornice fall

• falling into a crevasse

• falling while climbing

• falling while skiing

• collisions while skiing

• rockfall

• icefall

• weather events

You will all need to sign a waiver when you arrive in Austria. Please read the waiver before the trip so you understand what the risks are and what you will be signing when you begin the trip.

Safety is our number one priority. You trust the guides to be dialed in and able to rescue you in case of an accident, but it goes both ways. Our risk is shared and we need to trust you to do the same for us!

The most important person in managing your personal risk and the risk of the group is YOU. If you prepare even just a little bit beforehand it is very helpful and the families of both the other participants and the guides thank you. There are a variety of ways you can help manage risk on this trip:

• Be physically fit and rested when coming into the trip.

• Listen to the guides’ instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask!

• Be aware of the situation around you. As you travel through the terrain think of what you can do to reduce risk for yourself and the group (EG place yourself in a safe spot at regroups in avalanche terrain, keep the glacier rope tight, place yourself in the best position to avoid rockfall etc).

• Take an avalanche course. I can provide a private course for you or your group, or you can find a list of scheduled courses with other providers here: AST courses

• Take the online avalanche course at the Avalanche Canada website.

• Practice avalanche rescue prior to the trip. At the very least understand all of the functions of your avalanche transceiver and how to search for at least 2 burials. We would really appreciate if you practice with the entire kit before the trip: transceiver, shovel and probe. A full rescue practice where you work as a team and recover a couple of buried packs with transceivers in them would be best, but even working in the backyard doing a simple transceiver search, and making sure your shovel and probe are in good working order is helpful. Please practice before the trip, the safety of your fellow skiers and the guides rely on YOUR skills.

• Speak up. If you see something you feel is hazardous, mention it to the guide. If you feel uncomfortable with what you perceive is a risk, mention it to the guide. We can discuss your concerns and change what we are doing if necessary.

Traveling in the mountains together as a group is all about having trust in each other’s abilities. In over 30 years of guiding I have only had to deal with three minor incidents requiring an immediate evacuation. We do not expect an accident but we need to be prepared in case there is one. The more we trust each other the more we will all enjoy our time in the mountains together because we know we are able to take care of each other in the unlikely case there is a problem.

Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance

In nearly thirty years of guiding I have had only two guest evacuations from the field for minor injuries and one for a medical condition. The probability that we will need a rescue are low but if we do need one the financial cost could be high.

In Austria we may be charged for a rescue. This could amount to many thousands of dollars.

Unless you ask to be excluded I will purchase an Austrian Alpine Club membership for you, which includes rescue insurance for this trip. This will cost about 70 Euros and I will invoice you when the purchase is made early in 2025.

Some insurance providers may include “air ambulance” services, but this may not mean “mountain rescue” involving a helicopter. Research any insurance options carefully as to what they do and do not include.

If you want to research other option please go to my Mountain Rescue page for more information, but I recommend the Austrian Alpine Club insurance for this trip.

Medical insurance

Travel health insurance is ESSENTIAL as your Canadian plan will not cover all your expenses in case you need medical attention. Even a simple hospital visit will incur thousands of dollars in bills. Beware of plans that claim to cover mountain rescue as they may have a different definition of the term, make sure you question a representative carefully.

See options on my Cancellation Insurance and Health Insurance page.

Food and Medical Issues

If you have any food allergies or strong preferences, or any pertinent medical issues, please make sure you inform me as soon as possible.

What the trip price includes

The price includes:

• One lead guide, one tail guide.

• Hotel accommodation in town for one night before and one night after the ski days (two nights).

• Hut accommodation on the ski days (five nights).

• Breakfasts and dinners for seven nights.

It does not include:

• Your transport to and from the start and finish of the trip.

• Local transport during the ski days. This may include public transport and ski lifts.

• Lunches.

• Alcohol.

• Poor weather or conditions may interrupt all or part of our trip. You are responsible for any expenses incurred for yourself and the guides if we need to change plans.

Important Dates and Times

April 4

Arrive at the Appartement Wildspitz in Vent, Austria. You should plan to arrive in the afternoon. Dinner is at the hotel that night. We will sign waivers before dinner.

April 5

Up early and have breakfast at the hotel. The trailhead is about a 10 minute walk through the village from the hotel. Tour to the Martin Busch Hut which lies at 2500 m. 670 m elevation, 8 km distance. Once at the hut we will do some safety briefings for avalanches and glacier travel.

April 6

We will do a day tour from the Martin Busch Hut and spend a second night there.

April 7

Travel to the Similaun Hut at 3020 m. We can deposit our overnight gear and continue to tour, perhaps to the summit of Similaun (3700 m).

April 8

Travel to Hochjoch Hospiz Hut (2400 m) via ridges and peaks. 750 m ascent, 1000 m descent.

April 9

Since the Vernagt Hut is closed for renovations, we will spend a second night at the Hochjoch after a day touring in the area.

April 10

A bit of a long day, passing the Vernagt Hut and hopefully climbing a peak before descending to the valley. Another night of accommodation and dinner at the Wildspitz. Don’t expect to travel anywhere at the end of this day.

April 11

We go our separate ways after the included breakfast at the hotel.

GETTING TO Vent

• The closest major airports are Zürich and Munich.

• Innsbruck is closer but I have not found direct flights so in the end travel is longer and more expensive.

• Google Maps travel times for public transport seem too long.

• For public transport try Austrian Federal Railways.

Delays and trip interruptions

Delays with international and/or domestic travel are always possible. Please be prepared for this possibility by giving yourself time to get to Austria and do not schedule important events right after the trip.

Poor weather or conditions may interrupt all or part of our trip. You are responsible for any expenses incurred for yourself and the guides if we need to change plans.

Travel Considerations

• Ensure passports are up to date with the expiry date well after the trip ends.

• Although most airlines will allow the canisters and batteries for balloon packs on the aircraft there are special regulations involved. Please check with your airline well before you arrive at the airport.

• Although credit cards are accepted for most payments in towns ands cities, you need to have some cash on hand for the huts as they do not always accept card payments for lunches and beverages. Bring €50 per day.

Staying Connected

• The simplest thing these days seems to be to get an esim for your device. We have been using Ubigi successfully.

• Many phone plans in North America allow roaming overseas. It can be expensive, especially if you don't organize it ahead of time. Consult your local carrier.

• There are numerous other options, do some Googling to see what you come up with.

The Skiing and terrain

As with any trip in any location we may get the best or worst week of skiing of the season but it will probably be something in between those two extremes!

We can expect spring conditions for weather and ski conditions but we do need to be prepared for cold temperatures and storms as well.

The terrain is almost exclusively alpine with elevations well over 3000 m. There will be a significant amount glacier travel. In poor visibility travel can be slow or impossible and we may need to adjust our route and timing. We need to be prepared for avalanche conditions that may limit where we can go or weather that may create some poor skiing. This holds true for any ski trip in any mountain range in the world.

I can't guarantee the snow or weather conditions, but I can guarantee that I will provide a unique mountain and cultural experience that should include some good skiing and often includes fantastic skiing! If we go into the trip with the expectation of an enjoyable week spent in the mountains with friends we will not be disappointed.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Appartement Wildspitz is a regular hotel in a smaller village. We have two suites, with two double occupancy bedrooms each. Breakfast and dinner is included both nights we stay there.

HUT ACCOMMODATIONS AND LOGISTICS

There are a few things to know about the huts:

• You need to bring a lunch for the first day of the trip. You will want to have snacks along for the touring days and it may be worth bringing some lunch food for subsequent days as well although we should be able to buy lunches at the huts. You will need to do any food buying before we meet on April 4. We will not have time to buy food on our first touring day.

• Bring cash to buy lunches, drinks, etc. You may need to buy water. Budget €50 per day. Beverages are available for €3-6 . Good wine costs €20-35 per bottle. The water at the huts is officially not drinkable, whether it actually is will vary from hut to hut. When showers are available, they cost around € 3, or shower + towel is around € 5. You can purchase lunch-to-go at the huts. Snacks, sandwiches, and hot lunchtime meals can also be purchased in the huts for €10-20.

• Bring a pair of compact and lightweight hut slippers. They don’t need to be warm down booties, just something to keep your socks clean. Some huts may have these available but some not.

• Bring ear plugs.

• Bring a lightweight sleeping bag liner.

• Bring a small amount of toiletries and a tiny camp towel.

• See the gear list for more details.

The huts are large and comfortable with a bit of variety in room sizes and facilities. All huts include breakfast and dinner.

Martin BUsch

• 2500 m

• Shared rooms of 4-6 beds (95 sleeping spaces)

• Indoor washrooms and showers

• Website

Similaun

• 3020 m

• Shared rooms of 4-6 beds

• Indoor washrooms and showers

• Website

Hochjoch Hospiz

• 2415 m

• Shared rooms of 4-6 beds (65 sleeping spaces)

• Indoor washrooms and showers

• Website

Equipment List

Go here

Staff

There are two guiding staff for the week:

• Margie Smith: Margie will be tail guiding for the week. She will help out at the back of the group, help break trail when the old mountain guide gets tired, and generally just keep me in line. Margie has been a ski patroller, paramedic and emergency room nurse and presently is the Site Administrator for Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. She has completed her Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 course and the CAA Avalanche Search and Rescue course. She has extensive backcountry skiing experience. Margie still rolls up her sleeves and helps in the ER when it gets busy and is also an accomplished mountain bike racer.

• Mark Klassen – That’s me. I’ve been working as a ski patroller, avalanche forecaster and guide since the mid 80’s. In the summer I guide mountaineering and rock climbing. I’ve been a fully certified ACMG/IFMGA mountain guide since 1996. Click here for my bio.

Questions?

If you have any questions let me know! Email me.

The bottom Line

If you get nothing else from this information package, please do the following:

• Read and understand the waiver ahead of time. You don’t need to sign the waiver now, you will do that once you arrive for the trip.

• Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.