Freeride - Horsefeathers Superpark Dachstein

In General

The Dachstein is the easternmost glacier of the alps and also the highest mountain in the east of Salzburg. Freeriding here can be the greatest thing on earth, but the more spectacular and famous runs are always rather hardcore - in terms of avalanche danger and fall hazard on the way to the drop in. This comes from the huge amount of snow Dachstein gets every winter and from the steep shape of the mountain.

If you go freeriding on Dachstein, be aware of the fact that you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of the ones being with you. Take the following advices to enjoy some of the best powder Austria has to offer!

Required profile:
Excellent control of the sporting devices in all situations, mountain experience, perfect equipment (e.g. the bindings may not be opened to easily), absolute sure-footedness, a head for heights, and nerves of steel. Courage is an absolute requirement, but recklessness is out of place. You should definitely test your suitability for riding steep faces at the extremely steep but relatively safe run from Kleinen Gjaidstein to Schladming glacier. If you wet your pants here, then you should definitely refrain from attempting other steep face runs!

If you're not familiar with the place it's very important to get information from people who have knowledge about the mountain, the weather- and snow-conditions, avalanche-danger and the avaliable runs. For "Dachstein-Rookies" it would be the best to find some locals to join'em exploring the Dachstein-Backcountry.

Most popular freeride-runs at the Dachstein: Schwadrinn, Flunderrinn and Gamsfeld

Equipment

Avalanche Transreveiver

Anyone going off marked-pistes, and that includes skiers, snowboarders, walkers, climbers and snowshoers should wear an avalanche transceiver (beacon)and when riding in resort it is advisable to wear at least an inexpensive avalanche transmitter (doggy beacon) or Recco™.

Probes

Probes come in a variety of lengths, from around 220cm to 600cm and made from different material. For off-piste and backcountry touring, a 220cm or 240cm aluminium probe is the most suitable. Piste patrol generally favour steel probes as they will be conducting many organised probe searches that will wear out aluminium probes. Longer probes are generally used by piste patrols for probing deep avalanches for body recovery.

Shovels

An avalanche shovel needs to be light but strong enough to cut through blocks of ice and snow. It will take a single rescuer 10 minutes to dig out a skier buried 1 meter below the surface with a shovel. It would take more like 45 minutes with hands or skis. Choose a shovel with a proper handle, we have a preference for metal blades, nothing beats them for cutting through ice, although there are some very tough plastics such as those used with the Ortovox shovels. Keep the shovel in the car and it will also prove useful for clearing snow on the road.

Avalanche warning levels

The avalanche warning levels are determined by the avalanche warning services depending on the current situation and are broadcast on the radio, on television and in the press.The activities of the avalanche warning services are limited to developed skiing regions and populated areas. Undeveloped Alpine skiing terrain cannot be monitored because of the wide variety of free winter tourism possibilities.

	Alarm level 1 Low. An avalanche is likely to be triggered in the event of high levels of additional stress only on very few, extremely steep slopes. Generally safe touring conditions.

	Alarm level 2 Moderate. An avalanche is likely to be triggered in the event of high levels of additional stress especially on the specified steep slopes. Favourable touring conditions if local danger zones are taken into consideration.

	Alarm level 3 Considerable. An avalanche is likely to be triggered even in the event of low levels of additional stress especially on the specified steep slopes. Occasional instances of some spontaneous medium-sized avalanches, isolated instances of large avalanches. Skiing tours require experienced avalanche assessment; limited touring potential.

	Alarm level 4 High. An avalanche is likely to be triggered even in the event of low levels of additional stress on numerous steep slopes. Occasional instances of many spontaneous medium-sized avalanches, some instances of large avalanches. Skiing tours require very experienced avalanche assessment; very limited touring potential.

	Alarm level 5 Very high. Numerous large spontaneous avalanches can be expected, even in moderately steep areas. Skiing tours and off-piste skiing are generally not possible!

If an avalanche warning is issued, the following rules of conduct must be followed in developed skiing regions:

- When an avalanche threatens, you should find and stay in a safe place, such as settlements or
buildings. Buildings usually offer good protection, and you can easily wait there for further instructions.

- The instructions of the responsible persons must be followed! All decisions are made in the interest of your safety!

- Do not ride closed pistes! They were not closed out of wilfulness, but to protect you. If you ignore the closures,
you will be risking your life, and you will be held liable for any damages caused by your undisciplined conduct.

- If you leave the marked pistes, you will be moving in “Alpine terrain”, where everybody is responsible for his own
safety!

Get actual information on avalanche levels!

Events The Dachstein

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