Tracks in the snow
From snowshoeing in Brandnertal
Through the turnstile, into the gondola - hello skiers, hello people! There's a lot going on up here in the ski area. But that's just the start to today's much quieter adventure. We swap our turns on the slopes for quiet steps in the snow: we go snowshoeing. We take the Dorfbahn cable car up into the mountains of the Brandnertal and then change to the Panoramabahn, which takes us up to the Burtschasattel. Up to this point, we still share the mountains with the numerous piste fans, but we soon leave the hustle and bustle behind us and immerse ourselves in the peaceful silence of the snow-covered landscape.
A good friend has given us an insider tip for a particularly idyllic spot that we want to explore today. First, we follow a leisurely winter hiking trail that would be accessible without snowshoes - but we strap them on anyway to get used to them. Step by step, stick by stick, breath by breath, we glide through the forest, while views of the surrounding mountains open up again and again between the trees.
Somewhere here on the left, the slope should be ascending. Time to activate our avalanche transceivers, because from now on we leave the secured path. The terrain may seem peaceful, but safety comes first and we are prepared for all eventualities. "A small, steep section to the left to the top," he said. Where is that? Ah, I can see a few ski tracks over there - that must be the turn-off! Admittedly, the climb is a tough one and makes us work up a sweat, but after just a few minutes we reach our destination - and what a destination it is! Just wow! A small high plateau stretches out before us, covered in untouched powder snow as far as the eye can see. Not a soul far and wide, only a few animal tracks draw delicate lines in the sea of white, and at the edge a ski touring track continues upwards. A true winter paradise! With quiet steps, we make our own tracks in the fresh snow and enjoy the almost complete silence, interrupted only by our own breathing and the soft crunching under our snowshoes.
After an extended round, we look for a cozy spot to take a break. Pulling the cushions out of our backpacks, we settle down in the snow and unpack our well-earned snack: tangy cheese, fresh farmhouse bread and a hot tea - that's all we need to be happy. The descent is then a little more adventurous. The slope is steeper than expected and before I know it, I end up on the seat of my pants. But what the heck - it's a much quicker and more fun way to slide downhill. At the end of the day, we are filled with the peace and beauty of this winter landscape. This excursion really was a little break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life - and the tracks in the snow tell their very own story.
