Rofelewand (3353m) from Pitztal

Technical difficulty: 8/10
Fitness: 9/10
Objective danger: 7/10
Landscape: 10/10
Busy: 3/10

An imposing summit in the Kaunertal ridge, sometimes called the Matterhorn of Kaunergrat.

Starting point: Scheibe settlement just after Sankt Leonhard im Pitztal
Ending point: Scheibe settlement just after Sankt Leonhard im Pitztal
Ascend: 2000vm / 7h
Exposition: All aspects, the steepest parts south/south-east

This ski tour begins in Scheibe near St. Leonhard im Pitztal at about 1,390 meters. The route starts gently along a forest road leading up to the Arzler Alm at 1,890 meters. Up to this point and further into the lower Totenkar, the terrain is uncomplicated and poses no major difficulties.

From the Arzler Alm, you continue southward into the Totenkar, where the landscape opens and the climb becomes more alpine. Up to around 2,600 meters, the ascent remains straightforward. Above this, you step onto the Totenferner glacier, and the character of the tour gradually changes.

At around 2,950 meters, the route crosses a slope that is already quite steep - over 35 degrees - and this marks the start of the more demanding section. After the traverse, you climb a steeper slope just below 40 degrees, which leads you toward the upper glacier basin. Reaching about 3,100 meters, the terrain flattens again, and soon you arrive at the ski depot at around 3,220 meters.

From the ski depot, it’s only about 20 vertical meters to the entry of the Eisrinne (ice gully). To get into the gully, you must climb a short rock step (grade I) - easy but exposed, and depending on conditions, it can feel quite serious. The gully itself reaches up to 45 degrees, making it the crux of the tour. In hard snow or icy conditions, this section demands secure technique, and crampons are strongly recommended. After leaving the gully, a short walk east brings you to the summit at 3,353 meters.

Descent

The descent follows the same route back to the ski depot and then down into the Pitztal. Conditions in the upper part of the tour can vary significantly, which means the level of difficulty also changes day by day. The Eisrinne can also be skied under very good conditions.

Photos by @bennibru, @the.running.nomad, @innsbruckalps, @isale04, @sontschi2604