The best freeride run at the Arlberg.
Powder snow, sweeping slopes and a local who has known the mountains around Warth-Schröcken since he was a child: professional freerider Martin “McFly” Winkler shows us his personal favourite runs in the Arlberg.
It’s not just about getting as much powder as possible. It’s about the terrain, finding the right line – and that special connection to the mountains.
For Winkler, this story began back in his childhood.
For Winkler, this story began back in his childhood.
Grew up with the snow.
“The northern barrier weather pattern shaped my childhood – winter after winter, there was an endless supply of powder.”
Even as a child, Martin Winkler was regularly out and about in the snow. His father, himself a keen skier, took him to the slopes around Warth-Schröcken. Those early experiences in deep snow developed into a passion that has stayed with him to this day.
What is a special experience for many winter sports enthusiasts is part of everyday life for Winkler: reading the snow, assessing the terrain and finding the right line.
It is the frequent northern wind block conditions in particular that characterise winter on the Arlberg. Moist air masses collide with the mountains and can bring large amounts of snow. For freeriders, this constantly creates new opportunities – from open powder slopes to varied, undulating terrain.
Even as a child, Martin Winkler was regularly out and about in the snow. His father, himself a keen skier, took him to the slopes around Warth-Schröcken. Those early experiences in deep snow developed into a passion that has stayed with him to this day.
What is a special experience for many winter sports enthusiasts is part of everyday life for Winkler: reading the snow, assessing the terrain and finding the right line.
It is the frequent northern wind block conditions in particular that characterise winter on the Arlberg. Moist air masses collide with the mountains and can bring large amounts of snow. For freeriders, this constantly creates new opportunities – from open powder slopes to varied, undulating terrain.
Why Warth-Schröcken is a hit with freeriders.
Warth-Schröcken is one of the regions in the Alps with the most snow. For freeriders, however, it is not just the amount of snow that matters. Equally important are the varied terrain and the multitude of ways to spend a day in the powder.
“There are wide powder slopes, undulating terrain to play on and a regular supply of fresh snow – for me, it’s the perfect combination.”
For Winkler, it is precisely these variations that make it so appealing. Depending on the weather, snow conditions and time of day, a whole range of different runs can be enjoyed.
Some of his favourite slopes are located around the Warther Horn.
“There are wide powder slopes, undulating terrain to play on and a regular supply of fresh snow – for me, it’s the perfect combination.”
For Winkler, it is precisely these variations that make it so appealing. Depending on the weather, snow conditions and time of day, a whole range of different runs can be enjoyed.
Some of his favourite slopes are located around the Warther Horn.
Warther Horn: playful and varied.
On the Warther Horn, Winkler still finds interesting lines even days after a snowfall.
“On the Warther Horn, I still find untracked lines even days after the last snowfall.”
Together with his long-standing freeride buddy Alois Bickel, he particularly enjoys exploring the slopes between Salober and Jägeralp, as well as the runs below the Warther Horn.
Here, open snowfields alternate with rugged terrain. Small ridges and natural jumps make for varied descents. At the same time, the terrain demands attention and experience.
“On the Warther Horn, I still find untracked lines even days after the last snowfall.”
Together with his long-standing freeride buddy Alois Bickel, he particularly enjoys exploring the slopes between Salober and Jägeralp, as well as the runs below the Warther Horn.
Here, open snowfields alternate with rugged terrain. Small ridges and natural jumps make for varied descents. At the same time, the terrain demands attention and experience.
Because off the groomed slopes, different rules apply: Avalanche risk, unstable terrain and choosing the right route must all be taken into account. Thorough preparation and the right freeride kit are therefore essential.
Auenfeld: Freeriding with a view.
Sometimes, though, Martin Winkler fancies something a bit sunnier. That’s when he’s drawn to the Auenfeld.
After a short climb towards the Auenfelder Horn, a variety of slopes and striking rock formations come into view. The terrain offers a completely different atmosphere to the snow-covered northern slopes.
It’s not just about speed here. The landscape, the light and the contours of the mountain become part of the experience themselves.
However, the same applies in the Auenfeld: Away from the secured slopes, you are skiing in the backcountry. Avalanche conditions, the weather, the terrain and snow conditions must be assessed before every descent. An avalanche transceiver, an avalanche airbag and the necessary experience in using the equipment are essential.
Anyone unfamiliar with the terrain should be accompanied by a professional ski guide who knows the area well.
After a short climb towards the Auenfelder Horn, a variety of slopes and striking rock formations come into view. The terrain offers a completely different atmosphere to the snow-covered northern slopes.
It’s not just about speed here. The landscape, the light and the contours of the mountain become part of the experience themselves.
However, the same applies in the Auenfeld: Away from the secured slopes, you are skiing in the backcountry. Avalanche conditions, the weather, the terrain and snow conditions must be assessed before every descent. An avalanche transceiver, an avalanche airbag and the necessary experience in using the equipment are essential.
Anyone unfamiliar with the terrain should be accompanied by a professional ski guide who knows the area well.
‘Die Klemm’: Winkler’s personal favourite.
Despite the wide variety on offer, there is one run that stands out for Martin Winkler: the Klemm.
The route begins at the Mohnenfluhsattel near Lech and climbs more than 1,000 metres in altitude towards Schröcken. For Winkler, it is special above all because of its scenery and the varied route.
“For me, the Klemm is the most scenically beautiful freeride tour in the entire Arlberg region. Every freerider should experience it at least once.”
The descent combines sweeping slopes with impressive mountain scenery and ultimately leads down to Schröcken. For Winkler, the tour also holds personal significance: in the past, the descent was often part of his journey home.
Today, it’s one of his absolute favourite runs.
The route begins at the Mohnenfluhsattel near Lech and climbs more than 1,000 metres in altitude towards Schröcken. For Winkler, it is special above all because of its scenery and the varied route.
“For me, the Klemm is the most scenically beautiful freeride tour in the entire Arlberg region. Every freerider should experience it at least once.”
The descent combines sweeping slopes with impressive mountain scenery and ultimately leads down to Schröcken. For Winkler, the tour also holds personal significance: in the past, the descent was often part of his journey home.
Today, it’s one of his absolute favourite runs.
A tour for experienced freeriders.
However, the Klemm is no ordinary descent. It takes you through high-alpine, unsecured terrain and places high demands on experience, navigation skills and the ability to assess current conditions.
Anyone wishing to undertake this tour should not plan it on their own. Being accompanied by a qualified ski guide who knows the area well not only provides additional safety but also enables you to choose the most suitable route depending on snow and weather conditions.
Because when it comes to freeriding in particular, the following applies: The best line isn’t always the most spectacular one. It’s the one that suits the current situation, your own ability and the terrain.
The Arlberg as your very own playground.
For Martin “McFly” Winkler, the Arlberg is therefore far more than just a freeride area. This is where he grew up, where he had his first experiences in deep snow, and where he knows the mountains like no other.
Whether it’s the varied slopes of the Warther Horn, the sunny runs in Auenfeld or the long descent down the Klemm: each of these runs tells a different story.
And that is precisely what makes freeriding on the Arlberg so appealing to Winkler. It’s not just the next day of powder that counts, but the interplay of snow, terrain, weather, experience and one’s own connection to the mountain.
Whether it’s the varied slopes of the Warther Horn, the sunny runs in Auenfeld or the long descent down the Klemm: each of these runs tells a different story.
And that is precisely what makes freeriding on the Arlberg so appealing to Winkler. It’s not just the next day of powder that counts, but the interplay of snow, terrain, weather, experience and one’s own connection to the mountain.
Because if you really want to experience the Arlberg, you don’t just follow a track – you read the mountain.