Out and About with the Freeriders

A splitboarder from Lenggries, a telemark skier from Munich, and two freeriders from the Inn Valley in Upper Bavaria. Never before had we been out and about together in this combination. So far, winter has not treated us with too many great days. Mother Nature has been rather stingy in her snowy offerings on the northern side of the Alps. But this day seems to be different: fresh powder overnight, the clouds slowly disintegrating. Every one of us managed to take the day off. Robert, the splitboarder, picked up telemark skier Bernd after giving his three kids a ride to school. And off we go, entering the "Flow Valley", which stands for unlimited freedom and our desire for the joy of flow.

Both can only be experienced in the mountains; and they are best enjoyed with like-minded friends. The four of us meet early in the morning in the parking lot of the Karwendel gondola in Pertisau. Using the lift could be an option to shorten the hike to Bärenkopf (1,991 meters), but that would hurt the guys' ego. Instead, we attach the skins to our skis and follow the partly very steep track adjacent to the slope heading towards the Bärenbad Alm (1,447 meters). The three men, all in great shape, lead the pack. I am behind them trying to keep up. I take it a bit slower, because I need to use my energy wisely. Who knows what is waiting for us further up.

What I do know is that we can expect some gigantic views over the magnificent, dark blue and starkly contrasting Achensee, also called "Tyrol's Fjord," located between the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges. Thanks to the excellent wind conditions, Tyrol's largest lake is a magnet for water sports enthusiasts in the summer. In the winter, it's rather quiet. Except for the strong winds that never seem to slow down around here. Still surrounded by forest, we can't really feel it, but we can see how the snow is blown over the summits, sending white banners of snow into the blue sky. We take a short break at the Bärenbad Alm.

Bernd, Robert, and Vale decide to make use of the stunning morning light and shoot some quick pictures in the fresh and untouched powder. Three creative free spirits and freeriders in their very element. They regularly take these kinds of trips together and mostly hike and bike the trails of their Bavarian backyard, their "Flow Valley", which they sometimes extend into Tyrol. And if there's enough snow, they bring their boards and skis. Robert, besides running the Altwirt hotel and restaurant in Lenggries with his wife, is one of the founders of "Flow Valley", subtitled the "Royal Bavarian Freeride Area". The brand supports a team including Bernd and Vale.

"Flow Valley is not just the perfect imaginary resort for mountain bikers, splitboarders, and freeriders in our local mountains. It's also a Bavarian lifestyle. Our motto is to go outside, always respecting nature and the environment", Robert explains. With the pictures and articles published on the Internet, they want to stimulate the fascination for their athletic passions as well as their homeland; at the same time they want to promote more acceptance and a good coexistence with other sports disciplines. "A day like this, when we are out here with our buddies and no one else is around... that's simply perfect", says Bernd.

"Every single one of our trips is a getaway from everyday life; it relaxes me, I can recharge my batteries; it's adventure and nature." According to Robert, this also includes the ability to rely fully on everyone in the group. The willingness to help each other, and to respect everyone's strengths and weaknesses. "And most of all: To be able to take pleasure in a great powder run or a new line. That's what makes the entire experience even more powerful and enjoyable". The omens for such an intense and enjoyable experience are good. Behind Bärenbad Alm, the trail takes us through a deeply snow-covered forest. Above the tree line, we are welcomed by harsh winds.

The lighting is bizarre, the backlight conditions are fascinating, yet we know that the storm around the summit will be everything but pleasant. Reaching the Bärenhalsl, the track turns left, then leads moderately steep along the southern side to the plateau-like summit, which usually offers wonderful views. Today, it offers nothing but storm from the South. We decide to refrain from hiking the last 40 meters to the summit. Instead, we take off the skins and rest for a moment. Vale and Robert cautiously trudge to the entrance to a long, 40-degree gully facing north. "Too bad, not this time. It's too dangerous and sketchy today", says Robert, realizing that he won't ski that gully for the second time in a row this winter. "One day....

I am sure," he says regretfully and assembles his splitboard. Why exactly does he prefer one board over two skis? "I am a committed snowboarder. I started to ride 28 years ago, and I am still fascinated by it – not just in the snow. I also love surfing and skating. Snowboarding has always been more than just a sport for me. In the very beginning, it was a real subculture with lots of punk rock and spirit. I spent a lot of time with my friends in the backcountry and eventually, I discovered the splitboard. Today, the gear has become so sophisticated that there are practically no disadvantages over skis. In the past, I would only ride with other splitboarders, but today it's mostly mixed groups.

We all respect each other, and it's also a welcome challenge to roam the backcountry with good skiers", he explains. After another avalanche check, we soak up the powder of the Bärenbadkessel slopes with up to 35 degrees of incline. We dive into the deep fluff, fully aware that we had not been treated with enough of it this winter, then we return to the Bärenbad Alm. As if in some kind of trance, the three men turn around and hike back up for another run. One of those days... "Let's have a Weißbier," Robert, the true Bavarian, summons still a bit puffed as he joyfully skis down the last turns into the valley.