Skitourenführer Stubaier Alpen

Scope and coverage

This is a focused ski-touring and ski-mountaineering guide to the Stubai Alps on the north side of the Brenner Pass—an area prized for reliable snow and quick access from Innsbruck. The book spans early-winter tree-line tours to spring glacier outings, reflecting the region’s long season and flexible aspects. Coverage is organized by 18 touring “Gebiete,” including: Inntal; Nördliches Sellrain; Speicher Längental; Kühtai & Haggen; Neue Pforzheimer Hütte; Praxmar & Lisens; Westfalenhaus; Potsdamer Hütte & Bergheim Fotsch; Kemater Alm; Axamer Lizum–Mutters–Fulpmes; Schweinfurter Hütte; Winnebachseehütte; Amberger Hütte; Franz-Senn-Hütte; Stubaital; Gschnitztal; Obernbergtal; Windachtal & Timmelstal.

Structure and usability

The front matter is unusually thorough: how to use the guide, getting there (car and public transport), route description conventions, best season, map references, difficulty scale, avalanche awareness, GPS data, weather and emergency info, plus guidance on hut and valley accommodation. Each area opens with access notes and a clear hut/transport primer, followed by route lists.

On-snow detail and mapping

Route chapters deliver what ski tourers need at a glance: start point, difficulty code, hazard notes, aspect, elevation gain, distance and time. Aerial overview photos with drawn ascent/descent lines, inset maps, and labeled summit panoramas support micro- and macro‑navigation. Cross‑references to DAV/AV maps are consistent, and a download code for GPS tracks adds modern reliability. Seasonal tips are sensible (e.g., lower Obernberg and Inntal tours for deep winter; glacier approaches toward the main ridge from February; high spring objectives into May). The selection balances classics (e.g., Breiter Grießkogel, Hinterer Daunkopf) with quieter corners like the Schweinfurter Hütte approaches and long, high‑alpine days in the Gschnitztal.

Assessment

Jan Piepenstock’s descriptions are concise yet characterful, with honest notes on wind exposure, glacier changes, and where footwork or a rope may be needed (e.g., Schrankogel variants). Avalanche and wildlife‑friendly touring sections are welcome and well pitched. Photography and cartography are practical rather than glossy, and the consistent layout speeds decision‑making before dawn.

Recommendation

A well‑structured, field‑ready companion for skiers planning anything from quick day tours to hut‑based weeks in the Stubai Alps. Strong on logistics, mapping, and safety context, it’s best suited to intermediate and advanced tourers but offers accessible objectives for fit newcomers with guidance. Highly recommended for anyone weighing Stubai versus neighboring Tyrol ranges and wanting a single, dependable source.

Details

Weight

460g

Pages

324

Publisher

Panico Alpinverlag