Freeride fun at the Powderfest
Five years ago, Regina & Simon Wohlgenannt launched the Powderfest together and have been organizing the Powderfest in the Montafon every year since then. This year is already the fifth time. Simon, a state-certified ski instructor, ski guide, Ortovox athlete and freeride coach, is primarily responsible for designing the programme, while Regina takes care of the organization.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced freerider - the Powderfest offers the perfect opportunity to experience the best powder runs in Silvretta Montafon. Experienced guides will show you the best spots and give you valuable tips for safe off-piste skiing.
When and where?
The Powderfest took place this year from January 24-26 and takes place every year around the same time in the Silvretta Montafon. The meeting point is the small Powderfest village right next to the Grasjoch Hütte, where the best atmosphere is guaranteed from the early hours of the morning.
What can you expect?
Freeride workshops & safety training
At Powderfest, there are exclusive freeride workshops where professionals will introduce you to the world of off-piste skiing. You can also refresh your knowledge of avalanche awareness and how to use avalanche transceivers (avalanche transceivers).
“From Piste to Powder”, for example, is a course aimed at beginners who have already gained some experience in open terrain. And can consolidate and improve their knowledge/skills with alpine skiing exercises.
For ambitious freeriders who have already gained experience in powder, there are also cool workshops such as the Freeride Day Ski, the Freeride Tour, Steeps & Drops and snowboarders are not neglected either with a Splitboard Intro or the Split & Ride Day.
ORTOVOX has also been a partner of the Powderfest since last winter and is involved with important safety workshops. For example, a workshop on snowpack analysis or avalanche transceiver training.
Another highlight: you can also try out the latest freeride skis, snowboards and other equipment from top brands in the Powderfest village at the Grasjoch cable car mountain station. So you'll be perfectly equipped for your next adventure.
My experience report
The course started with a short round of introductions, during which it quickly became clear that all participants had similar goals: more confidence in the terrain and better technique. Our guide Daniel was a true professional who had a lot of experience, was able to give us lots of tips and created a relaxed atmosphere in the group.
Firstly, we honed our basic technique on the piste. The aim was to perfect our stance, weight transfer and cornering technique. The targeted exercises were particularly helpful, as we consciously internalised the movement sequences and were able to implement them directly on the piste.
Then it was off to the powder! Our guide Daniel chose routes that challenged us but never overwhelmed us. We had enough time to practise the exercises and step by step I realised how much more confident I was becoming. I found the tips on initiating turns in deep snow particularly helpful - a real game changer! The mix of theory, practice and individual support was perfectly balanced. The ‘From Piste to Powder’ course is an absolute must for anyone with a little off-piste experience who wants to improve their skills.
The ORTOVOX SAFETY ACADEMY compact course - avalanche transceiver training was the perfect opportunity for me to expand my knowledge of avalanche safety and improve my skills in handling emergency equipment.
The course started with a theoretical introduction led by an experienced Ortovox professional. The guide explained the basics of avalanche awareness: how do avalanches occur, what danger levels are there and how do you interpret the avalanche report correctly?
After the theory, we went out into the terrain - and this is where the course became really valuable. We were able to try out the avalanche transceiver (avalanche transceiver), probe and shovel under supervision. The guide showed us step by step how to locate and dig out a buried person quickly and effectively.
This course is a clear recommendation for anyone travelling off-piste. Safety starts with knowledge, and this course showed me how to better protect myself and my friends in the backcountry.
Right from the meeting point, it was clear that the atmosphere was something special: a bunch of motivated women who all shared the same passion. Our guide Lena was not only extremely knowledgeable, but also super friendly, which immediately created a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. After a brief introduction to the day's programme and the current conditions, we got ready for our freeride adventure.
The special thing about this course was the combination of short ascents on touring skis and long descents in deep snow. The ascent was relaxed and always gave us the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic views and fresh mountain air. Lena gave us helpful tips on our technique on the ascent and showed us how to save energy and walk more efficiently. It was particularly helpful that she showed us how to ski safely and with control even in difficult conditions.
This course is an absolute must for all female freeriders who want to develop their skills while having a great time in an all-girls group. I'm already looking forward to applying what I've learnt on my next descents.
Why you shouldn't miss the Powderfest?
The Powderfest is more than just an event - it is a tribute to winter, deep snow and the passion for freeriding. Like-minded people come together here to experience unforgettable days in the midst of the impressive mountain world of Silvretta Montafon.
