Because the magic happens outside the comfort zone...

Choice Splitboard Camp Kühtai - 06 - 08 March 2020 - Schärmeralm

As a paradise for tourers and split boarders, the Kühtai has truly earned its annual appointment in the Choice Splitboard Camps calendar. This year too, a few motivated Splitboard fans and those who wanted to become one gathered at the beginning of March for the Basic and Beginner Camp in Kühtai. The group found their perfect accommodation in the cosy Schärmeralm. And because snowboarding guide Christian "Snoppy" Eberherr is known to be a bit less strict about levels, the participants looked forward to two exciting touring days with possibly a little more than "Level 1" requirements. Because the magic happens outside the comfort zone and that is what the Choice Splitboard Camps are known for.

Only 35 kilometres from the Tyrolean capital and yet 2,000 metres above sea level, the Kühtai offers perfect conditions for touring and split boarding in March. On the occasion of the 2nd Choice Splitboard Camp 2020, a group of highly motivated board sports fans met on Friday, 6 March, 2020 at the Schärmeralm. Already at the first welcome drink, the stunning Kühtai mountain scenery blinked through the clouds in all its beauty. And while the hut was busy working on the adaptation of Karakoam and Spark R&D splitboard bindings on Jones and Never Summer Test - splitboards, it started snowing heavily outside. After the new Kohla skins, Jones touring sticks and Ortovox safety equipment had been distributed and the backpacks packed, Ingrid, the hostess of the hut, served a first-class dinner with fresh Tyrolean specialties.

On Saturday morning, after breakfast, we set off on our first mission into the Kühtai hinterland together with ski and mountain guide Christian "Snoppy" Eberherr. At the Issalm car park, we changed to "hiking fashion" and got a new look. And after the LVS check we went directly into the forest. The entry led over frozen creeks and through narrow trees to the upper Issalm. Here we took our first breather. We continued on a beautiful path through the breathtaking scenery into the rear Wörgetal and up to the Wetterkreuz at 2,250 meters above sea level. As the name suggests, the weather was also very varied, with sunshine and blue skies, mystical cloud play, whiteout and heavy snowfall on the last hairpin bends to the summit.

On the first day, the group had managed a total of 860 meters of ascent. At the summit they quickly changed to "riding mode" and after a steep start in the whiteout, the group went over long and wide deep snow fields and between rocks in changing weather conditions back into the forest and down into the valley. After this long and varied downhill run, everyone returned to the Schärmeralm full of new impressions. During the after-work beer, snowboard guide Christian "Snoppy" Eberherr spoke about avalanche awareness and the basis of risk management on the mountain. From the correct behaviour in an emergency, to the handling of the avalanche transceiver, coarse and fine searches, to effective probing and correct shovels, all participants then had the opportunity to rehearse the emergency under professional guidance in front of the hut. At the end of a perfect day, hut hostess Ingrid surprised her guests with a first-class Nepalese dinner.

On Sunday, the Kühtai presented itself under a bright blue sky and with winterly temperatures. Best conditions for a splitboard tour on the Gaiskogel. No sooner said than done! With the Dreiseenbahn chairlift, it was all the way to the top. There, the skiers were furled up and the group started motivatedly in the direction of the Gaiskogel. After a relaxed start through glittering winter wonderland, a few crisp and challenging hairpin bends in steep and icy terrain followed. After a short break we continued on foot over a rocky ridge with the split boards on our backs. The exposed path challenged one or the other to go beyond the limits of their comfort zone. Courageously and concentrated, everyone overcame the 440 height meters to the summit cross. As compensation, there was a breathtaking 360 degree view with a far-reaching view of the most beautiful mountains in Tyrol.

Before leaving in the direction of Haggen via the northern gully, everyone had respect. But at the latest when two local alpinists came stomping up the gutter with their dogs in good spirits, everyone wanted to take up the challenge. After a steep and icy start, the reward followed. A long and wide field with perfect powder snow revealed itself. The snowboarders cheered down the mountain with perfect powder for a total of 1,100 metres in altitude and 5.3 kilometres and then cruised through a light forest to the front door of the Schärmeralm. What a day, what a weekend, what a group, what a mountain guide, what a hammer accommodation! We love the Kühtai and obviously it loves us! We are looking forward to 2021!

Special thanks go to Kühtai for their support, Christian Eberherr from Freeride Division for the perfect choice of tours and first-class guiding, and the partners of the Choice Splitboard Camps: Jones Snowboards, Never Summer Snowboards, Karakoram, Spark R&D, Deeluxe Boots, Ortovox, Penguin Clothing, Smith Optics, SN Supernatural Merinowear, Protect our Winters Austria, Dana Beanies, Kohla Tirol

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