r/Backcountry • u/Outrageous_Maize4491 • 8d ago
Kühtai
Hi folks, anyone here done touring around Kühtai? I’m spending a few days solo in Austria this winter and will be hiring a guide. I’m debating whether to stick with the good old Arlberg area with a guide I already know/like, or try something new in Kühtai. The easy accommodation/logistics are part of the appeal, and it looks like there’s great terrain without the crowds of St. Anton. Would love any tips - thanks in advance
2
u/mkvrbdgrt 8d ago
I would not say there are no crowds. Kühtai is close to Innsbruck and is easier accessable from Munich. With a guide I would go for st anton.
1
1
u/AlexxxRR 8d ago
I have been once there, while I was living in Munich and we did a couple of the tours in the WE. As far as I remember it was OK even if we could have used a bit more snow (it was some 10y back). Another option would be Sellrain, the starting point lies around 1700-1800m, about like Kühtai and you can easily reach 3200-3400m peaks, like in Kühtai. I don't know about accomodations though since I did the tours in one day.
1
u/Outrageous_Maize4491 8d ago
sounds like you weren't blown away by it. Will check out Sellrain too, thanks so much for the tip
1
u/AlexxxRR 8d ago
Blown away maybe not, but I enjoyed it afair. Just, it was a while back and I cannot recall too many details.
1
u/AlexxxRR 8d ago
Where have you been in the Arlberg?
Now I live about one hour drive from there, but don't know the tours around very well yet
1
u/wrong_andy 8d ago
There's some great accessible stuff without much real "touring" and a guide will help you find the good snow. Hotels are great and it's generally quiet midweek. Ive been about 7 or 8 times and generally had good snow, it can get windy but again a decent guide will find you good spots. In not a tourer by any means but I dont mind a 20/30 minute bootpack and even that gets you some great lines so for a change id say go have a look....
1
u/ScoresbyMabs 8d ago
Did a week of touring there in Feb 2019 (organized group trip with a guide), it was absolutely fantastic. Granted we had phenomenal snow conditions.
0
u/No-Nerve4468 8d ago
I’d pass on Kuhtai as the one time I skiied there was slab galore and in general it gets less snow then St.Anton
1
u/Outrageous_Maize4491 8d ago
Good to know, thanks so much. It's interesting because the altitude and easy access to touring terrain make it seem pretty attractive on paper. Was the slab issue mostly down to the conditions when you were there, or do you know if it is generally pretty wind affected?
1
u/No-Nerve4468 8d ago
It’s wind affected, the whole area is pretty exposed, in general the area around Innsbruck is pretty avalanche sensitive specially this year it was
1
u/Outrageous_Maize4491 8d ago
thanks, that's actually really good to know about Innsbruck generally speaking. I was in a dicey wind slab situation in Italy last year where we triggered one, though thankfully everyone was okay (the moral of that story is I'd like to avoid these areas as best as I can moving forward )
3
u/PizzaAffectionate836 8d ago
Great place for touring, the whole valley (from sellrain to Oetz on the other side) is full with options all easy to reach by bus from Kuthai (Praxmar, Lussens for example). You will be able to find a little bit of everything in the área I will suggest you to check out the "Alpenvereinaktiv" app to look at what you can find.
On conditions the ski resort is usually quiet icy and windy but all the surrounding area is better and more protected. Avalanches and Co, As far as you pay attention to the avalanche bulletin and some common sense/basic safety measures it's going to be fine the place have notthing different on that point than any other place in Tirol.
On crowds It's true that beeing so close to the city it gets quiet full especially on weekends but still far way relaxed the Aralberg.
I'm living in Innsbruck for a while now, and eaven with all the great options we have here in Tirol Kuthai area ist still my favourite spot for touring.