Ski touring season start: Start the winter safely – tips for November

The first snow in the Alps makes outdoor enthusiasts' hearts beat faster – but those setting off on their first ski tour of the winter in November face particular challenges: a thin snowpack, unstable old snow layers, and early darkness. To ensure your season starts safely and enjoyably, you'll find everything you need to know here. From practical tips on ski tour planning and equipment, to safety information and specific tour suggestions – including elevation gain, starting points, and special features. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier – we'll show you the best ski tours for the start of the season in November , from Brauneck to Glungezer to Sulzkogel. Start prepared – and stay safe!

• Why the start of the season in November is special
• Safe tour planning: How to prepare properly
• Early ski tours in November – 5 recommended tours
• Equipment for the ski touring season – what you need now
• Safety tips for early winter
• Comparison: An overview of the best early ski tours
• Avoiding mistakes – typical beginner pitfalls at the start of the season
• FAQ about the start of the ski touring season
• Conclusion: Start the season with confidence and motivation

Why the start of the season in November is special

Challenges in early winter

Unlike midwinter, snow in November is often unevenly distributed and unstable. This so-called " old snow problem" can be treacherous for inexperienced ski tourers: layers of old snow that were already present in October can form an unstable base due to temperature fluctuations.

Weather, snow conditions and avalanche danger in November

The snowpack is often uneven at the beginning of the season. While north-facing slopes with limited sunshine are still hard and don't fill well, south-facing slopes often offer better conditions. However, avalanche danger lurks, especially on north-facing slopes and in gullies, particularly when fresh snow falls over old snow.

Suitable regions and altitudes

Suitable regions for ski touring in November are primarily higher-altitude glacier areas (e.g., Hintertux, Zillertal) and groomed slopes with early preparation – such as Kühtai or the Hohe Ifen area . The higher and more snow-sure, the better.

• Short daylight hours: Sunset no later than 4:30 pm
• Variable snow cover: Old snow problem possible
• Widely fluctuating temperatures: from -10 to +5 degrees
• Limited tour selection: low snow conditions limit options
• Limited infrastructure: Many huts still closed

Safe tour planning: How to prepare properly

Assessing the avalanche situation

Up-to-date avalanche information forms the basis of every tour plan. For Germany and Austria, lawinen.report provides reliable data, while SLF.ch is the authoritative source for Switzerland. Extra caution is advised in November, as even small amounts of snow on problematic terrain can pose a danger.

Route choice and flexibility

Always plan conservatively – that's the key in early winter. Avoid steep north-facing slopes when the avalanche warning level is high, and use routes with alternative routes . Ski-piste tours are ideal when there's the first snowfall. Examples:

• Brauneck : a continuously signposted and avalanche-safe ski tour
• Pfaffenbichl near Berwang: a treacherous training tour with a prepared route
• Glungezer : ideal on a groomed downhill run with infrastructure

Navigation and time management

Start at dusk and make the most of daylight. Don't plan tours based on "leftover time"—sunset at 4:30 p.m. is a deadline, not an option. A hiking app with offline maps (e.g., Alpenvereinaktiv or FATMAP) will help with navigation and orientation.

• Check the avalanche situation daily.
• Start early – be on the road by 9:00 a.m. at the latest.
• Prefer ski touring
• Assess your fitness realistically
• Prepare alternative routes

Early ski tours in November – 5 recommended tours

1. Brauneck – the classic for beginners

Region: Karwendel foothills, Bavaria
Starting point: Brauneck cable car valley station (Lenggries)
Elevation gain: approx. 850 meters
Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
Difficulty: easy

This established ski tour is ideal for starting in November: The route follows the ski slope and is consistently marked. It is considered avalanche-safe, easily accessible, and perfect for beginners.

2. Hoher Ifen – Summit experience in the Kleinwalsertal

Region: Vorarlberg, Austria
Starting point: Auenhütte, Hirschegg
Elevation gain: approx. 1100 meters
Duration: approx. 4 hours
Difficulty: medium

Early snow cover in the Kleinwalsertal and a technically moderate but scenically spectacular ascent to the striking Hoher Ifen make this tour a favorite for advanced skiers in early winter.

3. Glungezer via ski slope – safe & effective

Region: Tux Alps, Tyrol
Starting point: Tulfeinalm (near Hall in Tirol)
Elevation gain: approx. 1000 meters
Duration: approx. 3 hours
Difficulty: easy

The Glungezer route follows the groomed piste to the Glungezerhütte mountain hut and is particularly popular in early winter. Infrastructure is available, making it well-suited for beginners.

4. Sulzkogel – A classic for early starters with power

Region: Kühtai, Tyrol
Starting point: Parking lot at the Längental reservoir
Elevation gain: approx. 1400 meters
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: hard

The tour to the Sulzkogel is technically demanding and requires experience in route selection as well as alpine routine. Perfect for experts looking for glacier-edge tours with good snow conditions from November onwards.

5. Lämmerbichlkopf – ideal glacier outpost

Region: Zillertal Alps
Starting point: Hintertux
Elevation gain: approx. 800 meters
Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
Difficulty: easy

This short but beautiful tour leads close to glaciers and is therefore particularly suitable for early morning hikes. It is avalanche-safe and offers rewarding scenery – ideal for beginners with stunning panoramic views at high altitudes.

Quick overview: 5 great November tours

tour	region	difficulty	Elevation gain	Avalanche safety	Starting point
Brauneck	Bavaria	light	850	high	Brauneckbahn valley station
High Ifen	Vorarlberg	medium	1100	medium	Auenhütte, Hirschegg
Glungezer	Tyrol	light	1000	high	Tulfeinalm
Sulzkogel	Tyrol	difficult	1400	low	Kühtai
Lämmerbichlkopf	Zillertal	light	800	high	Hintertux village

Equipment for the ski touring season – what you need now

Mandatory equipment for every tour

• Avalanche transceiver (LVS)
• Probe & shovel
• Touring skis with skins and crampons
• Layering principle clothing: Baselayer, softshell, insulating jacket

Season-start-specific extras

In November, cold weather, lack of light and unstable conditions are commonplace:

• Headlamp: Sunset often before 4:30 pm
• Thermos flask: protects against cooling
• Additional mid-layer: for longer breaks or emergencies

Digital helpers: Apps & navigation

• Tour planning: Alpenvereinaktiv, Outdooractive
• Avalanche data: SLF, avalanche.report
• Navigation: FATMAP with offline maps