Preber: One of the most satisfying ski-tours in styria

                                                           Photo of Preber, taken from the east

Preber is an impressive mountain in the Schladminger Tauern with an altitude of 2740 m above sea level. Due to its southern slope with a difference in height of 850 m above the tree line it has  to be mentioned doubtlessly for its qualities for skiing. It is situated on the border between Salzburg and Styria a bit south of the main mountain ridge of the Alps. In winter the peak can only be reached from the south, so from the Murtal.

Because of the height of the peak, I recommend this Ski tour only for the early spring.  But at this season the sun is already strong, and so it changesthe consistence of the snow crucially  during the day.  So, if you want to make this Ski tour, first inform about the danger of avalanches, because this differs on the various conditions, and can also be zero. But even then, on a sunny day at the end of March, in the afternoon you may have sticky snow that should be avoided. So drive to the foot of the mountain already the day before your tour, and spend the night in a guestroom of one of the typical farmhouses between Krakau and Prebersee.

On the day of your tour at seven o clock in the morning, you should have already reached the car-park of Prebersee at an altitude of 1520 m after having finished your breakfast. Also the seal skins should have been put on your skis the day before. At Prebersee strap on your skis and move up on your furry seal skins. Due to your flexible binding that allow for free movement on the heel, you can walk up in deep snow and on steep slopes. Up to Preberhalterhütte in 1862 m, you walk through coniferous forest.  (This cottage is only used in summer for alpine dairymen.)

Here ends the wood, and now you have alpine pastures almost until the peak. As you go up, your sight is widening more and more to the mountain range of Hohe Tauern, where the highest mountains of Austria are situated.

                                going up the slope

You will enjoy your ascent to the peak, if you go slowly and regularly, below your limit, so that you can sometimes take a photo of the environment or of your gorgeous view, and sometimes drink a cup of hot tea carried in your rucksack. 100 m before the peak you leave your skis and go the further distance on foot.

                                the peak of Preber

 From the peak you have a glamorous view in all directions, especially to the close Dachstein. So enjoy your deserved rest on the peak with some snack, before you start the slope. If you had a good timing, you will have firn for your slope. A good firn arises from the sunshine on frozen old snow. The sun first soften its surface and then softens deeper and deeper layers of the snow, before the sun makes the snow sticky. The best firn has a soft and smooth layer of 10 to 30 cm over the still frozen layer of snow. On this firn, you can ski down, as if you were skiing on a cloud in heaven or on a bed of feathers. With this feeling you can now ski down the slope over a difference in height of 850 m until the “Preberhalterhütte”. On a sunny day you will sure make a break there,  sitting on the wooden bench and leaning on the wall, taking a sunbath.

                                Photo of the Preberhalterhütte

The last part of your tour leads you on the forest road back to your car. Due to the shadow, there is normally  enough snow for skiing until the end of April.