Skitour and ascent to Dachstein summit
difficult Ski Touring
Tour characteristics
Stamina
Technique
Tour-Infos
Distance: 4.9 km
Duration: 03:00 h
Ascent: 460 m
Descent: 460 m
Best time of year
january
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may
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july
august
september
october
november
december
The tour
The Dachstein is one of the most famous mountains in the Eastern Alps. Its summit lies on the border between Styria and Upper Austria and towers over the Dachstein massif and the Enns Valley at almost 3,000 metres above sea level. The panorama is breathtaking - the Salzkammergut and the Ausseerland extend to the north, while the view to the east stretches as far as the Totes Gebirge and the Gesäuse. To the south-east are the Niedere Tauern and to the south-west you can see far into the Hohe Tauern, Austria's most striking high mountain range.
A winter ascent offers an additional attraction. The often snow-covered ascent is more difficult than in summer, but with a bit of luck you will experience the impressive view from the summit cross.
The Dachstein massif covers an area of 772 km² and has been a favourite destination for ambitious mountaineers for over 200 years. In winter and spring, there are hundreds of ski tour options on and around the Dachstein, from easy beginners' tours to challenging alpine adventures and great high alpine freeride options. Managed huts offer refreshment stops for day tours or accommodation for multi-day endeavours.
A winter ascent offers an additional attraction. The often snow-covered ascent is more difficult than in summer, but with a bit of luck you will experience the impressive view from the summit cross.
The Dachstein massif covers an area of 772 km² and has been a favourite destination for ambitious mountaineers for over 200 years. In winter and spring, there are hundreds of ski tour options on and around the Dachstein, from easy beginners' tours to challenging alpine adventures and great high alpine freeride options. Managed huts offer refreshment stops for day tours or accommodation for multi-day endeavours.
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More information
Turn-by-turn directions
Descent from the Dachstein mountain station to below the Dirndl on the groomed and marked piste. Ski up and follow the path in a long left-hand bend to the shoulder ascent. From there, depending on the avalanche situation, ascend the steep, glaciated summit slope in the direction of the Randkluft. The eponymous Randkluft is no longer a major difficulty today, as the glacier is torn apart by a massive crevasse approx. 50 metres below the start. This crevasse can be an obstacle in early winter or when there is little snow, and is normally crossed on the right during the ascent - if in doubt, use rope protection. The last few metres to the start of the via ferrata are steep, so it is advisable to set up a ski depot at a suitable point in good time and put on crampons, climbing harness and via ferrata set.
The 100 metre-long, partially exposed climb from the edge fissure to the summit is almost continuously secured with a steel cable, which is often snow-covered in winter, however - after snowfall, you have to make tracks, especially in the upper section.
You should allow a similar amount of time for the descent to the ski depot as for the ascent. A great north-facing slope with often sensational snow awaits you here - please pay attention to the avalanche situation. Refreshment stop at the Seethalerhütte. Finally, the easy descent and the short ascent to the mountain station of the glacier railway follow the familiar route.
Variant
The summit can also be reached via the shoulder ascent (250 metres). Recommended if the risk of avalanches below the Randkluftsteig is too great. This ascent is also secured with wire ropes, the last section leads over the upper part of the Randkluftsteig. Crampons and a via ferrata set are also required here.
This ski tour requires surefootedness, the use of a via ferrata set and crampons as well as general avalanche judgement. We generally recommend that you are accompanied by a mountain and ski guide on this tour.
The 100 metre-long, partially exposed climb from the edge fissure to the summit is almost continuously secured with a steel cable, which is often snow-covered in winter, however - after snowfall, you have to make tracks, especially in the upper section.
You should allow a similar amount of time for the descent to the ski depot as for the ascent. A great north-facing slope with often sensational snow awaits you here - please pay attention to the avalanche situation. Refreshment stop at the Seethalerhütte. Finally, the easy descent and the short ascent to the mountain station of the glacier railway follow the familiar route.
Variant
The summit can also be reached via the shoulder ascent (250 metres). Recommended if the risk of avalanches below the Randkluftsteig is too great. This ascent is also secured with wire ropes, the last section leads over the upper part of the Randkluftsteig. Crampons and a via ferrata set are also required here.
This ski tour requires surefootedness, the use of a via ferrata set and crampons as well as general avalanche judgement. We generally recommend that you are accompanied by a mountain and ski guide on this tour.
Getting there
Exit from B320 Ennstal Bundesstraße at Schladming-Mitte. Continue to Ramsau am Dachstein on Ramsauer Landesstraße. You pass through the village of Ramsau and then continue on the toll road Dachsteinstraße until you reach the valley terminal of the Dachstein glacier cable-car.
From the station in Schladming take bus number 960 directly to the valley terminal of the Dachstein glacier cable-car.
Parking
Parking at the valley terminal of the Dachstein glacier cable-car.
Start
Hunerkogel, Bergstation Gletscherbahn
Destination
Hunerkogel, Bergstation Gletscherbahn
Equipment
- Clothing and protective equipment: Make sure you are prepared for rapid changes in the weather and the increased UV exposure in high alpine terrain. A wind and water-repellent jacket, hood and moisture-resistant gloves are essential. Sun protection (eyes, skin and lips) is also very important.
- Safety equipment: A modern avalanche transceiver, a metal avalanche shovel and a probe are part of the basic equipment for every ski tour and freeride descent that takes you away from the secured slopes and into the open ski area. This triumvirate of avalanche transceiver/shovel/probe is not only used to be found quickly in the event of an avalanche, but above all to be able to quickly help any companions or other buried people.
- You'll have your smartphone with you anyway. It's generally advisable to install a GPS app and familiarize yourself with how to use it. Network coverage is generally good on the Dachstein.
- If you don't have any network reception, please restart your phone. Before you enter your PIN code for the SIM card, dial the emergency number. You can also make the emergency call in other networks.
- A small first aid kit with a multi-tool should also always be with you.
- Standard safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, first aid)
- Crampons, ice pick, short rope
- harness and via ferrata set
- Phone, GPS app. Network coverage is sufficient.
Avalanche report
Read the current avalanche report before your tour and familiarize yourself with the avalanche warning levels. You can find all the information here: www.lawine-steiermark.at.
Author’s recommendation
Of course you will find numerous providers in the Schladming-Dachstein region who will support you at the start of your ski touring career, teach you the right ascent and descent techniques or take over your tour planning for more challenging undertakings and guide you safely through the high alpine terrain.
You can find contacts to our mountain guides at www.schladming-dachstein.at/bergfuehrer.
You can find contacts to our mountain guides at www.schladming-dachstein.at/bergfuehrer.
Tips, hints and links
The terrain is often highly structured and treeless. This often makes orientation difficult. In fog (‘White Out’), orientation can become almost impossible. For more challenging tours, we strongly recommend that you use a GPS device and carry the appropriate safety equipment.
As a general rule, when you leave the marked and open pistes, you are in open ski terrain. The open ski area is not marked and is not secured against alpine dangers.
The tour described is situated between 2,600 and 3,000 metres above sea level. At these altitudes, your body reacts more strongly to stress. Your breathing becomes faster and your need for fluids increases. Please take this important fact into account when planning your tour.
Refreshment stops
There are several huts and catering establishments on the Dachstein massif that are also open in winter. For example, the Dachstein Glacier Restaurant at the mountain station and the Seethalerhütte. Nevertheless, it is necessary to always take enough liquid and food (e.g. muesli bars) with you. There are no refreshment stops on some of the routes described.
The alpine emergency number in Austria is 140 (Europe 112).
As a general rule, when you leave the marked and open pistes, you are in open ski terrain. The open ski area is not marked and is not secured against alpine dangers.
The tour described is situated between 2,600 and 3,000 metres above sea level. At these altitudes, your body reacts more strongly to stress. Your breathing becomes faster and your need for fluids increases. Please take this important fact into account when planning your tour.
Refreshment stops
There are several huts and catering establishments on the Dachstein massif that are also open in winter. For example, the Dachstein Glacier Restaurant at the mountain station and the Seethalerhütte. Nevertheless, it is necessary to always take enough liquid and food (e.g. muesli bars) with you. There are no refreshment stops on some of the routes described.
The alpine emergency number in Austria is 140 (Europe 112).
