On the Venediger Höhenweg high above Virgen, that’s where you’ll find Bonn-Matreier Hütte, a recommended ski tour destination when conditions are safe. In spring, the south-facing slopes provide top-notch firn snow conditions. Starting point for our tour is Obermauern, some two kilometres to Virgen. Keeping to the yellow route signposts, we follow the narrow trail through the town to Budamer Hof (1567 m). There is a small car parking area available on the hairpin bend beneath the farm. Parking is permitted right at the farm in the winter; however places are few and far between. The ski track proceeds initially via an Alpine trail to the idyllically located holiday lodges, where a route signpost proceeds into sloping, tree-covered pastureland, where there are a few hairpins to negotiate. Don’t be too late tackling the descent; you don’t want to sink into the snow which is lying. After an hour we catch sight of the Niljochhütte on the left-hand side on the Eselsrücken ridge. The terrain now flattens out and a wide basin now opens up in front of us, called the Großes Niltal.
Passing lovely Alpine inns, our route takes us to the head of the valley, where the track proceeds into steep terrain again. When the tracks are good this slope can be tackled in a good sweep, before we proceed in an easterly direction on a rocky ridge and catch sight of Bonn-Matreier Hütte. From the terrain beneath the inn, via lovely tough terrain we reach a rocky section and get to our destination from the rear (north), 3 – 3 ½ hours by car. The ascent can be made via the summer trail from the south to the inn, even if this is somewhat steeper. Descent along the ascent track.
Additional ski tour tips can be obtained in the ski tour guides by Thomas Mariacher. These are available here:
https://www.tyroliaverlag.at/item/Skitouren_in_Osttirol_und_Oberkaernten/Thomas_Mariacher/43058387
