In the sunny areas of Defereggen ambitious ski tourers will come across numerous tour options which provide rewarding downhill sections in a secluded area. With the Gasser Horn, high above St. Jakob, we have chosen a summit which provides a dreamy all-round view to the summits all around East Tirol. The starting point is the hamlet of Tögisch (1610 m), which is accessed via a narrow, steep mountain road, in St. Jakob, just before you enter Trojer Almental. There is a small car parking area there at a farm.
When driving in snow chains may be advantageous, even if your winter tyres aren’t the newest. Yellow route signposts direct us from the farmsteads in the protected forest area, heading for Gasser Horn. After 10 minutes we cross a forest trail, which heads into Tögischer Tal. Keeping to the summer trail our ski track proceeds steeply through the darkness of the forest and after around 1 – 1 ½ hours reaches a small wooden shelter at the beginning, continuing via pastures and flanks. From here our ascent proceeds for the most part via a flat ridge and an area of troughs, up to the summit. The ridge which follows, that we tackle in a few hairpins, opens up a superb view to Gritzer See, nestling in an enclosed hollow to the east of our tour destination, around 3 hours by car. For proficient skiers the descent poses no problem from the highest point, otherwise it is recommended that you tackle the final metres on foot. The descent along the summer trail proceeds through the steep forest to the farmsteads in Tögisch and also requires a good level of technical skiing ability. Please note that it is prohibited by law to ski in the young forest area.
Additional ski tour tips can be obtained in the ski tour guides by Thomas Mariacher. These are available here:
