©SalzburgerLand Tourismus - Freerider zieht seine Spur im gleißenden Licht der Sonne
Freeriding belongs, quite possibly, to the most exciting and intensive thing that you can do on your board or skis in SalzburgerLand. Experience that pure-adrenaline rush when you whiz down untamed slopes in deep powdery snow just once and you’ll just want to keep coming back again for more.
All over SalzburgerLand you’ll find the ideal weather and terrain, top-of-the-notch professional ski guides, fantastic freeride spots and deep-snow runs off the beaten track, all of which combine to create the ultimate freeride experience. Regardless of whether you’d like to do a high-Alpine Hike & Ride tour or stay close to the slopes, you’re sure to find your own personal off-piste playground in this paradise for freeriders.
Safety
As beautiful and unique as the outdoor arena may be, you should never get distracted and forget about safety. It goes without saying that you should take every care to avoid being caught up in an avalanche or falling off a cliff. You should also bear in mind that if you behave recklessly you’re not just endangering yourself, but other winter sports enthusiasts as well. With the right preparation, necessary care and attention, and the willingness to skip the occasional ride, you can minimise the risks posed by skiing on unsecured terrain.
©SalzburgerLand Tourismus – Freeriders on their way to the top
Know about the risks
The most important thing is that you know what you’re doing and are aware of the dangers lurking in the Alpine arena. Avalanches are just one of the things to consider. You should also reflect upon the quality of the snow and the temperatures in the preceding time period; whether they have caused the snow to form in different layers, or left it tightly packed. You should also be aware of the weather on the day of your tour and whether it is likely to stay stable.
Correct equipment
Whilst care and knowledge of the dangers in the snow are incredibly important, it’s also vital to be equipped for all eventualities. You should always carry a rucksack with a shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver and should never go off-piste without protectors and a helmet. Many freeriders also carry avalanche airbags, which reduce the chance of being buried under snow masses should there be an accident.
©SalzburgerLand Tourismus – deep powder snow traces
Hike & Ride
Although freeriding isn’t a new sport, its popularity has rocketed in recent times. A trend that has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity in recent years is ‘Hike and Ride’, which crosses over with Alpine skiing. No longer content with riding near the pistes, skiers are taking ever more strenuous climbs to find unexplored peaks. There are even special binds for skiers. Suitable for ascent, these guarantee the necessary stability and safety in pow pow (fresh snow), and snowboarders often use splitboards (divisible boards).
Freestyle snowboarding and freeskiing
The modern, up-to-date, well-maintained and superbly groomed snowparks in SalzburgerLand belong to the best the freestyle world has to offer, and are a true paradise for snowboarders and freeskiers. Every winter countless people return to the Salzburg mountains to have the heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping experience of turning tricks on large kickers, halfpikes, boxes, banked curves and rails in peaceful high-alpine scenery, the only sound around the jubilation of their mates celebrating their achievements. As a lot of the freestylers are youths and young adults, there is a range of special accommodation packages to ensure they can live cheaply whilst having a fantastic time.
©SalzburgerLand Tourismus – Freerider