Ski touring ascent race on the Sattelberg

Updated on 23.01.2024

The popular "Raiba Wipptal Trophy" ski touring ascent race on the Sattelberg in Gries am Brenner will take place again on 10 February 2024. This event is not only very popular with locals, but also increasingly with guests.

There are two different categories for the uphill race: In the hobby class or in the team and company classification (470 metres above sea level each), the finish line is at the Sattelbergalm (1,650 m). For the race class (934 metres in altitude), the route leads to the summit cross on the Sattelberg-Leckner (2,114 m). The start is at 12.00 noon at 1,180 m below the motorway bridge near Gries am Brenner. The ascent is on the former ski slope for all participants. In the team or company classification, 3 people start in a team, here there is a classification according to target time.

Backpack transport is organised and all participants automatically take part in a raffle. Prize-giving at the end of the race in the Sattelbergalm.

Further information and registration: www.sc-griesambrenner.at/online-rennanmeldung/tourenlauf-2024 Registration deadline is Thursday, 08 February 2024 at 18:00.

After the closure of the former ski area around 15 years ago, the Sattelberg has developed into a ski touring hotspot in the Wipptal valley. Luis Nagele, who runs the Sattelbergalm at 1,600 metres above sea level, says proudly: "It took us a few years, but we have now got our business back on track so well that we are now in a better position than when the ski area was open. Of course, it was a positive side effect for us that ski touring and snowshoeing have recently become more and more trendy sports."

Luis himself has contributed to this positive development. He regularly grooms the piste from Gries to the Sattelbergalm, which has an ascent of around 500 metres, using his own snow groomer. This means that ski tour beginners and less experienced skiers also have the opportunity to practise this sport. For the more ambitious skiers, there is the option of climbing another 500 metres in altitude from the hut to the summit cross of the Sattelberg (Leckner).