Großer Ötscher 1893m, south cirque.

The previously common ascent on the Riffel slope to the Riffel saddle was banned by the lift company (due to ski tourers crossing the slopes in long columns). It was negotiated between the alpine clubs and the lift company that ski tourers may only use the following ascent. If an ascent track already exists, this ascent is reasonable, hardly longer, and much nicer than the ascent on the slope (the slope may be used for the descent!). If no ascent track exists yet, it is requested to create one = a (sometimes somewhat arduous) beautiful experience to make the first track:

From the last parking lot on or beside the road upwards to the last two houses, before the last house follow the summer marking to the right and shortly ascend to the left of the Riffel slope to the service road (connecting slope from the Große Ötscher descent). Here turn left out to the Große Ötscher slope. Sharp bend to the right and continue along the service road until just below the Riffel saddle. Upon reaching the Riffel slope (about 60 meters of altitude before the Riffel saddle), sharp bend to the left and now ascend a little steeper diagonally upwards until you reach the Große Ötscher descent slope again. Now in short switchbacks steeply upwards through light forest to the Ötscher shelter (1 1/2 hours).

When the lift is operating, an ascent with the chairlift to the Ötscher shelter is possible.

From the hut ascend diagonally left (through light drifted forest), further up through dwarf pine and up to the mountain ridge. The rocky ridge is often drifted over, skis may have to be carried. A pronounced elevation (Weißes Mäuerl) is crossed, the last 100 meters of altitude are at first flat, the last incline before the cross at the summit is somewhat steeper again. 1 1/2 hours from the Ötscher shelter.
Magnificent view from the Ötscher summit in all directions.
The steep descents on the Ötscher south side should only be done under suitable conditions. Firn is ideal. This type of snow forms when during the night the moist snow cover from the day freezes due to subzero temperatures, becoming hard and thus load-bearing. In sunlight (about from 10:00 to 11:00 am) the upper snow layer softens and "smears". Later during the day the snow cover gets softer and softer until the frozen snow cover is completely soaked, becomes soft and thus loses all load-bearing capacity.
Beware of avalanche danger and snow conditions. After heavy snowfall, the steep Ötscher descents usually cannot be done due to avalanche danger. In icy conditions there is acute risk of falling.
If conditions are not suitable for a descent into the steep cirques, the only option is to descend back to the Ötscher shelter and continue via one of the marked descents to Lackenhof.
Descent: the most rewarding descent on the Ötscher south side are Wurzleiten and the south cirque. For the south cirque, three entry options:
• Entry Wurzleiten: steep! From the summit about 200 m towards SE (Wurzleiten), then south and as soon as possible between rock bands turn right into the south cirque.
• Entry from Weißes Mäuerl: steeper! About 500 m west of the summit look for an entry and enter extremely steeply to the left into the south cirque.
• Direct entry from the summit: steepest! Only for steep slope acrobats: Near the summit cross in the steep gully, look for an entry option. Danger of falling!
In the south cirque descend right-maintaining in the best terrain to about 1400 m.
Now a decision must be made: either ascend steeply back to the summit and descend back to Lackenhof via the ascent route or one of the north gullies, or
descend right-maintaining at the forest edge or in the forest down to 1200 m where you reach a forest road.
On this turn right (westwards) and ascend moderately for 30 to 40 minutes towards Kleiner Ötscher until you can ascend right to the Riffel saddle.
From here descend via the Riffel slope to the parking lot.