The small, inconspicuous rocky elevation of the Schöttnerspitze in the Lienz Dolomites is located in the long summit ridge of the Laserzwand, to the north west of the Roten Turm. In summer as a single destination of secondary importance, in winter the Schöttnerspitzl is almost perfect for those who are fans of „exposed descents“. The slopes which are rutted with crags require solid ascending and descending technique. In addition after new snow falls and when the temperatures rise, the steep south-facing slopes are threatened by snow slides from vertical terrain and are then to be avoided. Starting point is Gasthaus Kreithof (1050m, fee to park), 3.5km south-east of the town of Tristach, which we get to via the road to Tristacher See. When the toboggan runs are open ascent to Dolomitenhütte (1610m, chains compulsory) is only permitted at certain times or may even be completely closed (taxi service). Via open pastureland we get to the Dolomitenhütte in around an hour, where we now head south beneath steep rugged cliffs into the wide Laserzkessel. The path climbs behind Instein Alm (1680 m) and we leave this in the first big left-hand bend via a fosse to the left of the summer trail. The ski track now proceeds along the summer trail through fields of mountain pines up to the impressive Marcher Stein (2000 m). We keep to the road here and do not cross into the terrain beneath Karlsbader Hütte. A long traverse follows, before we leave the gravel path in the distinct right-hand hairpin bend which heads to the lodge. We get to the first debris slope in a few hairpin bends before, via a small base area, we get to the south-facing slopes (30°) beneath the Laserzwand. After a few moderate hairpin bends the terrain becomes steeper and the track winds between rocks (south 35°, risk of avalanche), above truncated areas, slightly to the west. When there is hard snow or the track is slippy, skis may have to be carried briefly in this section. The slope soon settles and we keep heading west in a wide saddle between the Kleiner Laserzwand and the Schöttnerspitze. In more hairpin bends (south 30°) we climb to a little structure on the summit and get to the highest point in a few exposed climbing sections (I-II). It is also possible to ascend in to the narrow Schmidtsattel to the east of the Schöttnerspitze. 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
