K2 (3253m) from Mandarfen

Technical difficulty: 6/10
Fitness: 7/10
Objective danger: 7/10
Landscape: 10/10
Busy: 5/10

Classic Pitztal spring ski mountaineering via the Löcherferner glacier with a short summit bootpack and a long 1600m descent back to the valley.

Starting point: Pitztal Gletscher Lift Station
Ending point: Pitztal Gletscher Lift Station
Ascend: 1600vm / 5h
Exposition: east/ south-east

Route:

From the the parking lot, follow the ski slope up to the Rifflesee lift station and the lake. From the lake, head into the wide valley. You can cross the lake only when it’s safely frozen; otherwise skirt it on the shore on the left side (south).

The approach is mostly efficient until you hit the short steeper step / narrow rocky section that gains the next terrace—this is where wind crust, hardpack, or a poor track can slow things down.

Above, the terrain opens into the broad glacier basin. You climb up onto the (Mittlerer) Löcherferner with a long, even gradient - this is why K2 is so popular: it’s a “diesel engine” ascent rather than a kick-turn festival.

Many skiers finish with skis off at/near a saddle, then a short climb on foot along the ridge/pyramid to the summit. Depending on wind and hardness, this can be anything from a quick stomp to “okay, focus now.”

Descent

Most parties ski the ascent line back—big, open glacier turns into varied terrain down low. If you’re skiing out to Mandarfen, you can rack up a very long descent (~1600 hm) for the day. 

In safe conditions and enough snow, the extremely steep east face is skiable directly from the summit and provides a few adventures turn in otherwise relatively easy skiing terrain.

Pro tip: if your legs are up for it and you have enough time (especially in the spring when the snow gets wet quickly), this tour is nice to combine with ascent to Rostizkogel.

Photos by @bennibru, @the.running.nomad and @meid.bereit