Fadeuer Sunrise Ski Tour: First Powder

For my second ski tour ever, we (including special guest Bigi) decided to head to Fadeuer. If you're new to skiing and looking to embark on your very first ski tour, Fadeuer is the perfect starting point. The tour's manageable duration (~2h) and rather easy trail ensures that you can experience the thrill of powder skiing while feeling confident and safe. If you're an early-bird get up for the sunrise, and you will be well rewarded along the way with breathtaking mountain views. So strap on your skis, get ready to breathe in the crisp mountain air, and let's embark on an adventure unlike any other.

Watch the reel:

Useful info:

• Start of the ski tour: in Furna

• Access: by car is probably the easiest, especially if you plan on doing a sunrise tour; there is plenty of parking space at the starting point

• Duration: the full tour is 2.9km with 600m ascent, which takes around 2-2.5h; we took 1.5h to go up, spent 15 min watching the sunrise at the top and 20-30 min to go down (including lots of falling and laughing)

• Check the avalanche bulletin before you go; safety first

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The full story:

On my first ski tour, I was too nervous to remember enough of the way up or down. But luckily the second time around, I was able to relax and still remember the tour so that I can share it with you!

On that Sunday morning, we arrived in the mountain village of Furna (1409m) at 6am. Equipped with all our gear and most importantly, our headlamps, we start to make our way through a forest area called “Im Grünen Wald”. As the newest member of the ski tour gang, I have the privilege to go first and set the pace. This is great because it means I can go at a comfortable pace and focus on my technique (which Toni loves to correct and give me tips on how to spend less energy and be more efficient...but I admit this is still work in progress!). At that time of day, the forest is really quiet and peaceful. The forest part is then followed by a short section across an open field past the Untersäss before the trail leads back into the forest.

By the time we reach the tree line before Obersäss, an extraordinary sight unfolds before us—the mountain skyline bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun. It's a moment that takes our breath away (and our phones out of our pockets) and reminds us of the beauty of nature. As we continue our climb towards the peak, I can't help but feel a strong sense of happiness: these views, the company, the joy of exerting effort and sweating to reach the top...it all makes it special.

Once we reach the top, we quickly remove the skins from our skis, change into dry clothes and add some layers; soon it will be time to go down. Before we leave the top, we meet a fellow skier who asks us where we're from: he is surprised that we all speak English together. This is another part of the beauty of Switzerland: we're all from the same country, but have different mother tongues (Swiss German for Toni and Biggi and French for me) so that we default back to English. Once he finds out that Biggi and Toni are from the area, he's even more confused than before! We all laugh it off and start making our way down the mountain.

Fadeuer was a special place: the first glimpse of the mountain skyline, with its snow-capped peaks stretching as far as the eye can see, the camaraderie and team spirit that emerges as we navigate the slopes together, sharing laughter and cheers, the fluffly powder snow as we glide through the forest...the perfect combination for a successful ski tour. But don't just take my word for it, see it for yourself. Check out the images and videos that accompany this blog post. Let them transport you to Fadeuer where your adventure awaits. So, grab your gear, hit the slopes, and let the magic unfold. Happy skiing!

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Pro-tip:

• Best Time to Visit: The ideal time is to go early morning so you can watch the sunrise at the top; it's also a lot less crowded at that time of day (the early bird catches the worm)

• Essential Gear for Ski touring: Be prepared with warm clothes suitable for high altitudes and all the necessary safety equipment (barryvox, shovel and probe stick). Make sure to pack a set of clothes to change into dry outfit after the climb. The surest way to feel cold is to remain wet.

• Bring warm tea: the best feeling once I reach the top is always to drink some of the warm tea from my thermos, don't skip this pleasure

• Respect nature: follow the "Leave No Trace principles", preserve the beauty of the mountain by leaving only ski-prints and taking only memories