Powderdays on the Arlberg

After it snowed a lot last week, we decided to take advantage of the sunny, beautiful Sunday and planned a powder day with friends. The excitement was huge! And then it was already so happening:

It is Sunday, March 08th, 2020 and a beautiful day of skiing is waiting for us. It is not difficult at all to get out of bed, because the sunrays are already shining through the window. So we get straight into our ski gear, strap on our ski boots and get our powder skis.

Arrived at the Rüfiplatz, we meet the others. The excitement is already written all over our faces and that is why we immediately take the gondola to the Rüfikopf, where we do a Pieps Check right at the beginning. This is followed by wonderful deep snow runs, such as Roggalmulde and Langer Zug, before we decide to take the bus from Stubenbach to Zürs and head towards Valluga. In Zürs we get off the bus and start our ride to St. Anton am Arlberg.

The Flexenbahn, which connects the entire Arlberg to a ski area, takes us to Alpe Rauz in Stuben. Then we get on the Valfagehrbahn and arrive at the ski area St. Anton. From there we go straight on to the Vallugabahn I, which brings us to the valley station of the Vallugabahn II after a short waiting time. Only those who have a certified mountain or ski guide with them are allowed to take their skis or snowboard further on. For all others, it means getting on the cable car, built in 1955, without any equipment. Five of us squeeze into the very narrow gondola and in barely 2 minutes we reach the mountain station with its distinctive radar system.  Arrived at the highest peak in the Arlberg area, the Valluga, at 2.809 metres, we step up to the observation deck. Here we are exactly on the border between Vorarlberg and Tyrol.

There are two ways to ride the Valluga: Valluga North and Valluga West. For both descents it is important to be free from giddiness and to ski well. We choose the north downhill from the Valluga. This is a classic among freeriders, although a tricky one. The steep, rocky terrain is at risk of avalanches and the route finding is not always one hundred percent clear. We still find untracked powder by waving down to the Pazüeljoch with enjoyment. This is easily recognizable by the distinctive Roggspitz on the opposite side. Then we cross along the beautiful rock face until we find untracked powder snow again. The joy is written all over our faces! With a huge smile we swing further down into the Pazüeltal. From there we head back through the valley to Zürs to the Trittalp cable car.

Arrived in the lift, we look back gratefully and with a smile on our faces at this amazing downhill run and this wonderful powder day, and that in March!