Figerhorn

How to reach East Tirol (Osttirol, Austria):
1) From Munich or Verona via the Brenner motorway to exit at Bressanone. Drive through the Pusteria valley to reach the Italian-Austrian border. Continue from here past Lienz towards Felbertauern to reach the starting points in about 1 hour.
2) From Munich to Salzburg, then continue south to Bischofshofen. Leave the motorway here and drive through the Salzachtal to reach Mittersill. From here take the the Felbertauern road, through the tunnel, to enter the East Tirol.

Our starting point is Kals am Grossglockner. Follow the road to the Lucknerhaus (the car park for Großglockner) and park the car circa 0.5 km before the Lucknerhaus, on the right.

We put our skis on and ascend the road that leads to the tree line. Wide, gentle slopes open up here, about 25° to 30° steep and we continue up these which seem to have been created perfectly for ski touring, to reach the so-called "Graiwiesen". We leave our skis here and continue on foot, firstly up a steeper slope, then along the easy crest that leads to the summit.

With about 900m vertical height gain, a south facing aspect and ideally angled slopes, the Figerhorn ski tour is ideal for beginners but also for advanced skiers if avalanche conditions are not suitable for more demanding itineraries.

Contact the Alpine Guides Kals am Großglockner: www.bergfuehrer-kals.at
East Tirol Tourist office: www.osttirol.com

For the Figerhorn we recommended the Austrian Alpine Club map (AV Karte Nr. 36 Venedigergruppe).
New for 2012: the ski touring guidebook of East Tirol by Thomas Mariacher