The ‘Gabler’ (2576 m) from the ‘Plose’

The ‘Plose’ is Bressanone’s local mountain, and although it technically belongs geographically to the Dolomites, you can’t tell by looking at it. Its round shape barely hints at its relations to its rocky neighbours. Its broad southern slopes often shine in winter right down into the Isarco valley and are just begging for a skiing tour. Whilst the western face has been developed as a skiing area, the eastern face completely belongs to skiing tours. Luckily the ‘Gabler’ which is the highest peak of this group is also situated next to the Plose, and this produces the perfect route for a skiing tour. Following the right trail this ski tour is barely at risk from avalanches and is also possible in the middle of winter with powder snow. After a winter full of snow you can go on a perfect ‘firn snow’ tour from about March depending on good conditions. In a winter with little snow the lower parts of the mountain can lose their snow.

Area: Dolomites, Plose
Direction: S
Altitude: 900 m
Climbing time: 2-3 h
Skiing difficulty: easy
Danger of avalanches: low

Starting points:
a) From the Fistil-Boden car-park at the hairpin bend over the Rodel stream on the Funes-Afers road (1653 m) continue approx. 300 m in the direction of Afers until the start of the forest trail (limited parking here).
b) Fistil-Boden car-park (see a)
c) Car-park at the Plose skiing area next to the Parkhotel Plose (1900 m), approach from Palmschöss, above Afers.
Route description:
a) Start at the forest trail (approx. 300 m west of the Fistil Boden car-park) and follow this upwards until you reach the fork/hairpin bend. Bear right over the Gufl stream continue round further bends until you reach the edge of the wood below the AVS-Peitlerknappen hut. Now go directly over the broad open slopes and over several terraces upwards until you reach the bivvy hut and the large summit cross.
b) From the Fistil Boden car-park turn left over the Rodel stream into the valley following the Sommerweg # 10 until you reach the Halsl hut. Via the Sader hut go upwards to the open Gampen meadows and continue along the gradually levelling south east ridge until you reach the summit.
c) It is also possible to cross from the skiing area at the Parkhotel Plose along the road to the Schatzer hut, which cuts out some of the almost 700 m of altitude distance. From the Schatzer hut follow the south west ridge which is initially lightly wooded upwards until you meet Route a).
Descent: Via one of the ascent routes or in the upper areas over the large open slopes.
Rest points: Inns and mountain farms in Afers or in Funes, for example, the Proihof.