Ski tour from Sulden via Koenigsjoch

Approach

The parking area of the Solda/Sulden cableway valley station is the starting point, at the base of Ortler/Ortles, Zebru´ and Gran Zebrù/Königspitze.
From Bolzano/Bozen, main town of South Tyrol, take the road to Merano/Meran and continue along Val Venosta/Vinschgau valley to Spondigna/Spondinig. Turn left and proceed following the Solda/Sulden signs. For further details or for finding out the route from another departure, check out the interactive map

Route Description

This ski tour should be done with due respect, as it’s far more difficult than the classic ascent from Pizzini hut. Particularly the part below the Königsjoch/Passo della Bottiglia saddle is very steep and often in unfavourable snow conditions. Furthermore, the descent requires pretty good skiing ability. Last but not least, this variant requires quite a bit of endurance, as the elevation gain is nearly 2.000 meters.
Follow the ski slope, which is long and in itself boring but offers a fantastic view of Gran Zebrù/Königspitze N face. When the ski slope turns left up to the cable way middle station, leave it and head SW, towards the Solda/Sulden glacier. Arriving at the bottom of Gran Zebrù/Königspitze let some huge seracs left and continue towards the now evident Königsjoch/Passo della Bottiglia saddle, which probably represents the key passage of the tour. Face the very steep upper part of the NE flank with crampons and skis on the backpack. From the saddle head W, loosing 30 – 40 vertical meters to another steep chute, which is visible on the right. Climb it up until you get the sholder, turn left and ascend the upper steep slope which leads to the summit.
The descent can be done on skis directly from the summit cross; it’s constantly steep and requires good technical skiing ability. Not far from the above mentioned shoulder, turn left and descend the E chute, which ends over the seracs at the base of the N face. After this exciting descent, you owe it to yourself to take a break. :-)

Essential Gear

Complete ski mountaineering equipment, crampons, ice axe, if icy, a rope for the ascent to Königsjoch/Passo della Bottiglia could come in useful.

Miscellaneous Info

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Images

View Ski tour from Sulden via Koenigsjoch Image Gallery - 8 Images