Karl Posch was a poor man back then. At least in the eyes of those who watched him struggle up the slope on two boards. The Gosauer was often asked whether he could not afford a lift ticket because he was away from the slopes. And in the wrong direction too. That was more than 35 years ago.
Karl Posch is now the boss of Skimo Austria, the largest platform for ski mountaineers in German-speaking countries – and has long since ceased to be a loner. The Alpine Club currently estimates that more than 700,000 people in Austria are out and about with climbing skins under their skis. Trend: still increasing.
Touring is becoming more feminine
The figures that Posch presented yesterday at a press conference in Salzburg underline the unbroken interest in ski touring: The “ski mountaineering” sector was able to increase sales in Austria by more than 18 percent in the 2019/2020 season compared to the previous year – it was international eight percent. Alpine ski sales fell significantly over the same period.
“Ski mountaineering has once again got a boost from the pandemic. Because many have evaded because ski areas are closed,” says Posch. It is also noticeable that the sport has become younger and more feminine in recent years. The average age has decreased from “well over 40” to now 36 years. The proportion of women is 40 percent, while tours in the accessible ski area are already more than 50 percent. The Salzburg mountain guide Günter Karnutsch sees a “trend that is going in the right direction”. The number of ski tourers has exploded, but the number of fatal accidents has “declined significantly” over the past 15 years. This is mainly due to the training courses, which are also fully booked in this special season.
New concepts in Upper Austria
Because ski mountaineering will be Olympic again in 2026 after a break of more than 73 years, Posch is optimistic about further developments. And it does not remain idle in Upper Austria either: Two beginner routes on the Hornspitz in Gosau are to be marked this week, and the ski tour to the Goiserer Hütte will also be signposted.
In the Pyhrn-Priel region, the “ski touring control concept”, which has been discussed for years, is to be presented next year. Parking spaces at starting points are to be newly built or optimized and a uniform signposting structure created.
Above all, the situation on the Pyhrn Pass should be significantly defused. There was again excitement there in the past few days: The landowner offered drinks for voluntary donations – and was reported anonymously. He therefore announced that he would block the 60 parking spaces at the old road maintenance depot with immediate effect, but revised this decision again. (against)
Source: Nachrichten
