We got some rather gnarly conditions after jetting over here to Austria. Inches of rain, avalanche danger, wind… But the sky finally cleared and we got a nice tour yesterday, specifically the highground above Langer Grund valley, accessed by driving through Kelchsau from where we’re staying next to the Inn valley. Parking lots were full with hundreds of ski tourers enjoying the holiday (Kings Day). Lots of terrain in this area. It gets tracked up to some degree but folks spread out quite nicely and utilize it well.
Lisa and I had fun observing which ski bindings were in play. “Hey, there’s a 30-year-old Dynafit!” and overheard “Mommie, what are those funny things on those people’s feet?” when some folks showed up on frame bindings. Seriously, it’s amazing how the basic Dynafit binding setup dominates this demographic. I didn’t see any Beast setups, but I saw just about everything else.

Comments from our readers are gold in more ways than one. The recommendation for Ritter Sport Rum was spot on, perhaps the tastiest chocolate we’ve had yet.

Weissbier is calling. That’s Schafsiedel in the background. Lou’s skied that a few times with local friends.

Reward (though astute readers will immediately note that’s a radler in the glass for first round). Sadly, our favorite gasthaus was closed, but Alpengasthaus Moderstock is known for good food and it did not disappoint.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.