Spring Alps Hut Tour Beta?

[scheissami]

Howdy,

 

Hoping to head back to Austria next spring (2011) and visit my family near Vienna. Any recommendations for relatively mellow hut-to-hut tours in the Austrian Alps? Maybe about 5-7 days long? I'd certainly consider the French/Italian/Swiss Alps as well, just feeling nationalistic. Either posh or ghetto is fine, looking for some good, moderate ski terrain with minimal technical travel (roped glacier travel, ice falls, rock climbing, etc.) and would like to minimize the amount of gear I have to hump along. Any other ideas where I could look for further resources?

 

Cheers,

Erik

[Hugh Conway]

http://www.alpenverein.at/huettenHome/DE/index.php?lang=en

Links you to map with all the Alpine Club huts in Austria. Click on individual huts for more information on the hut + link to its own website. There's not much for ghetto huts in Austria, or well, the Alps. More ski hotels. Pick up the Alpine Club ski touring map for the relevant area.

 

In Austria the Silvretta and the Stubai are popular with foreigners; few people ski roped in either area. Old TR from me: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/673720/Main/673720/#Post673720

Several much better ones from Cosley-Houston

 

Easter is prime ski touring season, expect some crowds. Also pay attention to local conditions; the eastern alps are lower in elevation and can have mankier skiing.

[scheissami]

Thanks! Considering the Oetztal Traverse...heard much about it?

[Hugh Conway]

Only been to the Wildspitze the end of the routes I've seen. It's popular, quite popular, because it's the tallest in Tirol (now, pre 1918 was the Ortler - if it's been a really good snow year in the south check out the tours, pictures from the ski area) The other reason is the Wildspitze is easy to reach from Pitztal ski area (~2.5 hrs by memory) Cool area, can dig up some pics. Nice peaks, steep skiing to be done with the right snow, nice touring

 

If you head to Switzerland check out this planner - add a hut and it'll give you info:

http://www.sac-cas.ch/index.php?id=416&L=3