Coming up to Kaunertal Glacier is a bit of an experience. The resort is relatively young for European standards, opened in 1980. The drive from Innsbruck takes time. The resort itself has plenty of freeride options especially from Feb onwards when the snowpack is deep enough. If you come here early in the season, usually you’ll share the space with racing teams. I personally find the spot has something sad to it until covered in deeper snow, especially observing how the not so eternal ice has retreated, but once mother nature has been generous with the fluffy with stuff, there is plenty to do. 

In my personal opinion doing Weissseespitze is a must, the north face is steep and a true pleasure to ride. Skiing around Zahn down to Kleine Gepatschzunge is a less intense alternative, long, and stunning in good conditions.

The one we describe here gets you down to South Tirol. Take the Karlesjoch Gondola. Right in front of you you see the ridge, forming the boundary to Italy. There used to be plans to build a cable car from Melago, no idea where this stands, not the worst if it doesn’t get realized. Drop in right over the rigge into a not too steep couloir. It opens up quickly before turning skiers right down towards a widening valley. From here just follow the valley skiers left all the way to Melago. The last patch doesnt always have good snow, touring boots are definitely an advantage if you end up having to walk…

Alternatives

There are a fair amount of alternatives to get down to Mellago. One is to take the Weisseeferner T-Bar. Hike up looker’s right of the T-Bar and enter the couloir on the skiers right once having crossed the ridge. This one is fairly obvious and fun to ride. The one slightly left is also doable but – depending on conditions – can be more rocky. They all lead to Melago. Another option is to hike up lookers left from the T-bar along the ridge to hit Falgin Glacier. There is numerous options to enter. The hike is often easier with crampons than with skins. I have never seen tracks on the Falgin Ferner, but it has been a few years since I did this run.

Obviously, this run needs planning, coming back needs planning.