Equipment Skiing

Day backpack, capacity: 25–30 litres, with waist belt

In addition to the 20-kg bag entrusted to our transport service, you will need a day backpack with a capacity of no more than 25-30 litres.

1 piece of luggage – max. 20kg

We will transfer 1 piece of luggage (max. 20 kg) from your last to your next accommodation as part of our Transport Service. We recommend a large suitcase, trekking backpack or holdall (around 60-litre capacity). Together with your travel information documents, you will receive a pendant to attach to your main luggage.

Winter boots

Not so much for hiking on the Trail, but to give respite to your feet during afternoon strolls at the end of a Stage.

1 pair of skiing socks

Don’t skimp on this purchase! Good-quality skiing socks can make all the difference when it comes to comfort and preventing blisters.

Spare skiing socks (1 pair)

Longjohns

A sudden drop in temperature can happen in any season. As with all items of clothing, choose the best quality you can.

Underwear

Ski touring trousers (softshell or similar)

Be sure to choose skiing trousers that provide good levels of comfort even in challenging weather conditions. This means they should be wind and water repellent, and also offer a degree of insulation. Softshell is currently the most popular material for this purpose.

Spare skiing trousers

In case your main pair hasn’t quite dried by the next morning (or to wear indoors in the evening)

Long-sleeved top – first layer

This is the layer closest to your skin in cold weather, so it should be breathable and fast-drying. Options range widely from purely synthetic materials (very fast-drying, but odour-prone, i.e. Transtex) to wool fabrics (odour-neutral, but not quite as fast-drying, i.e. merino wool), including a multitude of hybrid materials.

Spare long-sleeved top – first layer

Long-sleeved top – second layer

The second (and often outermost) layer should be breathable and fast-drying. Again, there are many different options on the market, ranging from synthetics (i.e. fleece) to natural materials (i.e. merino wool) – with the same pros and cons as listed for the first-layer options.

Spare long-sleeved top – second layer

Softshell jacket or similar

The third layer is what you’ll need in cooler or windy weather. The jacket should be wind repellent, offer a degree of insulation and be fairly water resistant.

Insulated jacket

Primaloft or down jacket to keep you toasty should you venture out to star-gaze, or to put on during breaks

Indoor leisure wear

… for relaxing in the evenings!

Rain jacket

Hardshell jacket, waterproof and breathable

Hardshell trousers

Waterproof and breathable, to pull on over your existing clothes.

Headcover (sun protection)

Whichever style you favour (from broad-rimmed sunhat to peaked cap), this is an absolute MUST.

Hat and gloves

An absolute MUST outside of the summer season. Even in the height of summer, you may well need them on more high-alpine routes (exceeding elevations of 2,000 m)

Neckerchief or tube scarf

Spare gloves

Ski touring boots

Alpine touring boots with lugged rubber soles – it’s vital to find the perfect fit! If at all possible, wear them in before the tour.

Touring skis with alpine touring binding

Modern touring skis should be roughly the same size as your body height, with a width of 85 to 100 mm. Remember to wax your skis before your journey!

Ski poles

with large pole baskets

Climbing skins

If your skins are no longer new, it may be worth bringing some extra adhesive

Crampons

A staple piece of equipment for any alpine tour!

Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe

These are as vital as your actual skis – even though you will hopefully never need to use them. Avalanche beacon: modern, 3-antennae model with new batteries. Avalanche probe: minimum length 2.4 m.

Optional: airbag backpack

Not essential, but it is a fantastic invention – even though our Ski Trails do not lead through any terrain with severe avalanche risk

Ski helmet

It’s easy to overlook the odd stone, so we definitely recommend wearing a helmet on ski-tours – and it keeps your head toasty warm!

Wax for climbing skins

Towel

Small-sized travel towels can be purchased at facilities run by the Austrian Alpine Association

Swimwear

If you have booked ‘Comfort’-category accommodation for your Trail journey, your accommodation may include a Spa area.

Toiletries

… everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a necessity.

Medication

In addition to any prescription medication you may need to bring with you, you might consider over-the-counter items such as Imodium, charcoal tablets, Bepanthen, and mild pain killers such as Ibuprofen or Parkemed

Blister pad

We recommend Compeed plasters

Cream to prevent blisters

We recommend you apply deer tallow cream to your feet BEFORE setting out on your ski tour, to help prevent blisters

Pocket knife, small scissors

… can always come in handy

Sunglasses

Retailers now offer a vast choice of tight-fitting sunglasses with 100% UV protection and filter category 3.

Sunscreen

Broad-spectrum sunscreen, min. SPF 30, water/sweat resistant;

Lip protection

min. SPF 20

Outdoor first aid kit

You will find top-quality sets at specialist retailers. In any case, you will at least need: plasters, blister pads, elastic bandages, alcohol pads, disinfectant spray, and a small travel pharmacy (pain killers etc.)

Optional: spare glasses

Powerful LED headlamp with fresh batteries

The days are short in winter - there is a lamp always there, if the stage takes longer than planned

Tissues

Passport + copy

Storing them separately can save you a lot of trouble, especially when travelling in faraway countries

Credit card/ cash

Printed travel information documents

Your personal holiday guide. Be sure to bring a copy of your Trail journey directions.

Optional: GPS device

Our Trails are easy to navigate even without GPS. However, it can be a useful aid to help you get your bearings even faster – which is why we provide GPS maps to download for your convenience. Especially in winter highly recommended!

Bivy sack

… so you’re prepared for any eventuality.

Altimeter

Compass

Mobile phone

… and charger! You should always travel with a mobile phone – be it for taking pictures, in the unlikely event that you need to make an emergency call, to ring our Hotline, to look up the description of Trail stages or access your GPS map. Be sure to add all emergency numbers to your contacts before setting out!

Optional: socket adaptor

Depending on the country you are travelling to; see "Country Information"

Optional: portable mobile phone charger (Powerbank)

Depending on your mobile phone (especially for IPhones) in cold temperatures very useful, so that your phone even at the end of the day still has power for GPS and in the case of the case for an emergency call.

Thermos

Nothing revives the spirits quite like a hot drink on a cold touring day: 1 litre thermos + 1 bottle without insulation

Food for the day

This is best determined on a day-by-day basis, depending on the availability of inns along the route, local food shopping facilities etc.