Pitztal in winter - valley, glacier, Tyrol
The Pitztal valley in Tyrol is a place where winter dreams can come true. Who doesn't dream of skiing on a glacier, on natural snow, with views of the highest Alpine peaks? At the head of this Austrian valley you will find runs for the most demanding skiers, while a little closer to its mouth there are slopes that are perfect for a family winter holiday.
The Pitztal Glacier - Glacier Express and Café 3440
The Pitztal Glacier is the highest ski area in Austria - its runs reach up to 3,440 m above sea level. The glacier has 40 km of varied pistes across a range of difficulty levels: 6 km of easy runs, 16 km of intermediate runs and 7 km of black runs. The ski season here is exceptionally long, lasting until early May.
One of the resort's symbols is the Glacier Express, a modern funicular running through a tunnel inside the mountain, which offers a comfortable ride up to a plateau at 2,840 m. The journey takes 8 minutes, and all signs and announcements are in both German and English. Each train - while one goes up, the other comes down - consists of two modules that together form a 28-metre-long tandem. The train departs from the valley station at Mittelberg (1,740 m), next to a free car park, and terminates at the station where several glacier lifts begin (2,840 m). The resort's managers stress that thanks to eco-friendly solutions, such as energy recovery during the ride and a photovoltaic installation on the glacier, the Glacier Express is also kind to the environment.
On the highest summit, reached by the Wildspitzbahn gondola, stands Café 3440 - the highest café in Austria. Here you can refuel during a break from skiing while savouring views over the endless expanse of the majestic Alps. The café building has won architectural awards, and its construction went hand in hand with the modernisation of the gondola. Today the café and the gondola's top station form a single whole. Above the café is Austria's highest open-air viewing terrace. Café 3440 serves special breakfasts every Saturday morning and can even host... a wedding ceremony right on the summit.
The Pitztal Glacier is not just about pistes - the resort offers great conditions for freeriding, professional snowparks and numerous events, such as ski races and coaching sessions run by experts. The glacier is a favourite with ski clubs and professional teams, who come here to train and prepare for competitions. Bumping into one of the stars of the World Cup circuit is quite likely.
The Rifflsee area and family-friendly Hochzeiger
To the glacier terrain you can add the Rifflsee ski area, linked to the glacier by red run no. 1. The Rifflsee lift's valley station is on the main road leading to the head of the valley (further on is the glacier access described above). This area adds another 27 km of slopes, which are by design more demanding than those on the glacier. Rifflsee has a large car park, ski hire shops, clothing shops and a bus stop.
Another resort in the Pitztal valley is Hochzeiger, which combines a family atmosphere with modern infrastructure. Hochzeiger lies closer to the mouth of the valley: while the Pitztal Glacier is about 90 km from Innsbruck, Hochzeiger is about 25 km closer. It has 40 km of pistes and everyone will find something to suit them - from gentle cruising to steep descents for more demanding skiers. There are 10 km of easy runs - ideal for beginners and children, and for those returning to skiing after a long break. There are also 22 km of intermediate runs and 8 km of difficult runs, including a 7 km downhill run with a vertical drop of no less than 1,200 m.
The resort's highest point is at 2,450 m above sea level, which usually guarantees excellent snow conditions throughout the season. Most of the slopes face south, so they get plenty of sunshine. Hochzeiger has lots of accommodation close to the main valley lift station.
A snow groomer ride at Hochzeiger
One of the resort's more unusual attractions is a ride in a snow groomer. This unique experience gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how the slopes are prepared. Each participant can accompany a groomer driver for 30 minutes, watching the pistes being prepared. Hochzeiger has a fleet of 9 machines, 6 of which look after the ski runs, while the other 3 are assigned to other tasks. Riding along with a groomer operator (they start work at 16:30) is a fascinating experience. Each of them is part meteorologist, part hydrologist and part biologist. They drive on steep slopes, often in tandem, steering their heavy machines just centimetres past the piste marker poles. It is worth adding that each groomer costs around 500,000 euros.
While working, the groomers communicate with satellites to determine the snow depth. A special monitor inside the machine shows the thickness of the snow cover almost to the centimetre and also indicates it with several colours - red means there is less than 50 cm of snow, yellow that there is as much as 1.5 metres or more. Additional sensors measure the groomer's longitudinal and lateral tilt. The price of 65 EUR per person includes the gondola ride up to the starting point and back down, and there is only one free seat in each groomer, so the “exclusivity” of the experience is guaranteed.
The Pitztal and Hochzeiger resorts are an excellent choice for winter sports fans. Varied pistes, the magic of the glacier, modern infrastructure, extra attractions and a long ski season make these two resorts some of the best places for a winter holiday in Austria.
Ski pass prices and the 2025 season
The Pitztal Glacier will be open until 4 May 2025, while the Rifflsee ski area linked to it will stay open until 21 April 2025. Together they offer 67 km of pistes. A day pass costs 70 euros (adults) or 39 euros (children). Book your ski pass online in advance and you can save up to 30 per cent.
The Hochzeiger lifts run until 25 April 2025 and offer 54 km of runs. A day pass costs 56 euros for adults and 33 euros for children in the low season, and 63 and 36 euros respectively in the high season. Discounts apply for online bookings. On certain dates, ski school for children under 6 is free (your stay in the valley must last at least 3 days).
