SAC scale of difficulties
Our backcountry hikes are evaluated, using the Swiss scale of difficulties (SAC).
- The overall rating of the backcountry hikes is related to the most difficult part of each hike.
- The indication is made at good weather-, snow- and visibility conditions.
- The evaluation refers exclusively to the part of splitboarding / skiing.
- Alpine challenges (e.g. , hikes to the summit, climbs) are described in the text part of the hike. For climbing sections will be used the UIAA-Scale.
| Evaluation | Steepness | Exposed Areas | Terrain Uphill/Downhill | Narrow sections |
L (+) | up to 30° | No exposed areas | Soft, hilly, flat ground | No narrow sections
|
| WS (+-) beginner | over 30° | Short slides in case of slams | soft tapering Mostly open backcountry with short scarps, obstacles with possibility to escape, (kickturns necessary) | Short narrow sections, not steep |
| ZS (+-) intermediate | over 35° | Longer slides in case of slams, possibility to stop (danger of injuries)
| Short scarps, without possibility to escape, obstacles in moderate steep areas, requires good splitboarding/skiing, (safe kickturns necessary) | Short narrow sections, quite steep |
| S (+) advanced | over 40° | Long slides in case of slams, sometimes straight to scarps (Danger to Life) | Scarps without possibility to escape, many obstacles in steep area, requires very good splitboarding/skiing | Long narrow sections, short turns can be done by good riders |
SS (+-) experts | over 45° | Long slides in case of slams, straight to scarps (Danger to Life) | Overall very steep area with lots of obstacles and rocksteps in between | Long, very steep and narrow sections, short turns, will be followed by “jumping turns” sometimes no turns possible |
AS (+-) | more 50° | Very exposed, slam can cause death easily | Really steep faces or couloirs, no possibility to relax during descent. | Long, very steep and narrow sections, as well as rock steps “jumping turns” necessary |
| EX(-) Freaks | more 55° | Extremly exposed, absolutely forbidden to fall | Extreme Faces and Couloires | Rappeling can be necessary |