Pure adventure during your holidays in the Arlberg massif
Ice climbing during your winter holidays in Tyrol, Austria
Sparkling like diamonds in the winter sun: experience the fascination of the ice and ice climbing in the Arlberg region of Austria – at the sports centre ArlRock or at Europe's only winter via ferrata at the Rendl mountain near the Hotel Gridlon.
Ice climbing at the sports centre ArlRock
The sports centre ArlRock in St. Anton is a new Mecca for ice climbing aficionados.
Here ice climbing is possible even during your summer holidays. When the ice has melted a similar artificial
layer at the ice tower of ArlRock comes to the fore. Thus this special climbing technique may be practiced all
year around. The sports centre offers a choice of more than 100 different climbing routes, including all difficulty levels,
ice climbing and bouldering.
Winter via ferrata
Explore ice climbing at Europe's only winter via ferrata at the Rendl mountain. Park your car at the station of the Rendlbahn cable car or take the train to St. Anton. The Rendlbahn cable car will take you up the mountain – should you not be in the possession of a valid ski pass for the Rendl region, the lift to the via ferrata will be twelve Euros.
Then take the slope Piste 4 to the valley station of the Riffel 1 chair lift. From the summit station go to the valley station of the Riffel 2 lift, which will take you to the Riffelscharte at 2,645 metres. Access to the via ferrata is signposted.
The via ferrata is 850 metres long and continuously secured with a steel rope. It is of a high difficulty level – alpine experience is absolutely necessary! You cover 20% of the distance by rock climbing, the rest by walking. “If you are the first to dare the via ferrata after fresh snowfall you will have to struggle cutting a path through this fresh snow," explains Roman Walch, operating manager of the Rendlbahnen cable cars, who built the via ferrata in cooperation with the mountain rescue service.
But you shall see, it is well worth the effort. At the end of the via ferrata fantastic skiing slopes are waiting for you – either through the Malfon valley to Pettneu or across the Rossfallalpe and through the Moostal valley to St. Anton am Arlberg. At the end of this appealing via ferrata you will find a fantastic view. “You are able to see the entire Verwall massif and the Lechtaler Alps; depending on the weather you might even be able to catch a glimpse of South Tyrol,” says Roman Falch.
As well as skis or a snowboard for your descent into the valley, which you will strap to your backpack during the two-and–a-half-hour climbing tour, you will require climbing equipment in the form of a climbing harness, carabiners and special touring boots for your adventure in the ice.
The two ski schools at St. Anton and the ski school at Pettneu offer guided tours on demand. The Gridlon team will gladly provide further information on similar offers.
More information on the winter via ferrata in the Arlberg massif is provided here for download.
Does the prospect of adventures in the icy nature of the Tyrolean Alps thrill you, and would you like to stay at the Hotel Gridlon for your next winter holidays? Send a non-committal enquiry today!
