What catches the eye of ski tourers heading through Kalser Tal, as well as the Großglockner, is undeniably the Figerhorn, with its medow slopes which are bathed in sunshine. Well-known among mountaineers, this tour with its flat, ski-friendly terrain is the ideal destination for beginners and for leisurely walkers, if you disregard the summit flanks. This is 35° steep and should only be tackled when conditions are safe.
The starting point is on the Glocknerstraße in Kals (around 1850 m). Parking available 150 metres before a bridge which crosses the Ködnitzbach and a hairpin bend in the road beneath Lucknerhaus. A forest path is there to use of the ascent and proceeds in several hairpin bends to the Greiwiesen (around 30 minutes by car). We leave this path at the forest boundary beneath an Alpine hut, and via a ridge and later on terrain which features troughs, the ski track swings up the mountain. With superb views to the Schober group after around 1 ½ - 2 hours we get to a steep final climb up to the Figerhorn. This requires solid technique when it comes to hairpin bends and the ability to use skis safely on the descent. This steep slope, as already mentioned, is only recommended when conditions are absolutely safe. The final few metres to the summit cross are then somewhat flatter again and are worth it to enjoy the impressive views to the highest mountain in Austria. There is a good ski storage area at a small hay bale area at the start of the flanks. From here it is possible, in spring in particular, to proceed via the snow-free summer trail to get to the summit. When new snow falls the Greiwiesen offer extra special powder snow. In spring you are rewarded with a superb descent in firn snow and fans of crusted snow are very well catered for on the Figerhorn when, in the course of time, the sun magics up a blanket of splendid white snow.
Additional ski tour tips can be obtained in the ski tour guides by Thomas Mariacher. These are available here: http://www.grafikzloebl.at/verlag/buecher/
