Just in time for the first Choice Split & Freeride Camp 2017, the Axamer Lizum showed off in all-white 

and delivered a fun-packed weekend with fresh snow and bluebird around the infamous Kalkkoegel 

 

Just a stone´s throw away from the Tyrolean Capital Innsbruck, the Axamer Lizum scores with its unique charm and numerous freeriding options. No wonder, that the Choice Split & Freeride Camps 2017 just kicked-off in this amazing resort. Even former Freeride World Champion Aline Bock did not  want to miss out on the adventure around her „home mountains“ close to Innsbruck. 

 

On Friday afternoon, a great bunch of new and old splitboard friends gathered at the Axamer Lizum parking lot to call in the weekend. With the very last chairlift, all the gear and people made it up to the Birgitzkoepflhaus, our homestay on 2.000 metres above sea level and in the heart of the Axamer Lizum.

 

It seemed, like Mother Hulda was on our side this time! When we arrived at the top, it started snowing and did not stop until the next morning. After taking over our cosy multiple bedrooms and a a delicious dinner, the splitboard adjustment party started at the Birgitzkoepflhaus. To the delight of the campers, Amplid Splitboards, Plum Splitboards and bindings and Spark R&D bindings were available for free demo/testing beside the Volkl Splitboards. The Blue Tomato test center further had Deeluxe freeride boots, ABS avalanche backpacks, Ortovox safety gear and helmets and goggles from Alpina Sports on hand. 

 

On Saturday, we could hardly believe our eyes! It had been snowing more than 30 centimetres over night and the entire Inn Valley appeared as a big white winterwonderland, clouds slowly started to vanish in the air. 

 

Everyone was in a rush to catch the next Olympiabahn up to the Hoadl, where we met our local mountain guide Christian Eberherr from Freeride Division. To access the backcountry around the Kalkkoegel, we started hiking along the ridge. The first ascent was rewarded with bluebird, sunshine and a majestic view on the mountain range of the Axamer Lizum. After a first powder run in untracked terrain, everyone was craving for more and ready to change to hiking mode and skin up tot the next freeriding pleasure! 

 

Another short ascent with the splitboards followed by an adrenalin-pushing hike along a very exposed ridge and we were ready to drop into the next untracked powder face and a long ride all the way down to the valley. With big smiles of satisfaction, we were just in time to catch the last lift back up to the Birgitzkoepflhaus. 

 

That night, everyone went to bed early. Hardly surprising, since the next morning, the alarm clock went off at 5.00 a.m. A few minutes later, the group started hiking in the dark from the Birgitzkoepflhaus. Walking into the sunrise, we aimed to reach the summit of the Saile and Nockspitze just before the day breaks over Innsbruck. The challenging ascent to the top of the Saile was rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Inn Valley. After a well-deserved summit breakfast a long and nice decent towards the Stubai Valley was on the program. First pleasure, then work! With Aline Bock leading the way, we hiked all the way back up to the Axamer Lizum with our splitboards while enjoying the breathtaking scenery and spring weather. One last decent through the infamous  „Maierrinne“ and the group reached the Birgitzkoepflhaus right in time for lunch. After such an amazing weekend far away from the crowds, we can only confirm, that the Axamer Lizum deserves its title as  Tyrol´s freeriding eldorado! We are already looking forward to more adventures in 2018, because there is still so much more to explore!

 

Special thanks goes out to the Axamer Lizum Cable Car Company and our partners: Blue Tomato, Amplid, Plum, Volkl Snowboards, Deeluxe Snowboardboots, Ortovox, Alpina Sports, ABS Avalanche Airbags and Goal Zero Europe fort he support oft he Choice Split & Freeride Camps. 

 

Pia Schroeter - Choice Split & Freeride Camps