Hintertuxer Gletscher

Hintertuxer Gletscher
All year round, but with restrictions

The slopes at the end of the Tux Valley can be quite demanding. For example, in the Lärmstange 2 area, where for a few years now it has been more comfortable to go up with the heated 6-seater chairlift. Nevertheless, as in the "freezing" times before, they mainly meet the more dashing skiers here, while above - in the area of the drag lifts - the typical wide glacier skiing is indulged in. It is these quiet slopes on the Kaserer and Olperer, perfect for pupils and fast carvers, that make Hintertux the only year-round ski area in Austria. In summer 2022, it was really the last skiable remnants with centimeter-high water coverage that achieved telegenic "honor", but they pulled it off. Although towards the end of summer 2023, open and closed days alternated. In any case, only a few trainers and testers are out on the ice. Photography is prohibited! The conditions for this are optimal until spring. In the meantime, there is a fun slope on the glacier at Sommerberg that lives up to its name: the moderate slope gradient means that any skier or snowboarder can ride the bumps and steep curves. It is accordingly lively there! The two giant snails, the wave tracks and smaller, exciting obstacles attract more than just youngsters.

The freeriders The Lärmstange remains the most popular terrain. The comfort section is limited to the upper region, with the lift being 75 metres higher than its predecessor. The area offers the best options with the perfect snow conditions often found up here. It is not uncommon to see telemarkers in this area. For years, freeheelers enjoyed a special status here as the venue for World Cup races. But it is not only fans of telemark turns who will find suitable terrain at the end of the Zillertal. Nature lovers should take the opportunity to experience the glacier in the Spannagelhöhle from the inside. There is another option: at the highest point, the "Gefrorene Wand" mountain station, you can visit the natural ice palace, a walk-in crevasse full of glittering ice crystals. But as a rule you will let the ice palace freeze in front of you and plunge into the depths yourself. Before you freeze to ice yourself. But there is the Tuxerjoch 4-seater chairlift with pleasant seat heating.

At the top First we go in search of the highlights for skiing, as there are two special treats waiting for us. On some days, the slopes of Schlegeis and the "Gfrorene" wall are a single forest of flags for training teams. Because the two slopes lead off the ridge to the left or right, you can often experience opposite conditions. If the "Gfrorene" wall is still rock hard, it can already be soft on the other side. The only disadvantage of Schlegeis: the unprotected chairlift sometimes takes a short break on the way up. On the ridge, the Olperer lifts, the namesake towers next to it at 3,476 meters, are used primarily by weaker skiers - or of course the boarders and freeskiers who let off steam in the Betterpark. Back to the noise pole below: personal well-being would be helped if we knew where the actual glacier - and thus the danger of crevasses - ended. But in mid-winter, the risk of disappearing from the scene is low. Depending on the snow conditions, "Unterm Eisbruch" and "Haxenbrecher" are more enjoyable challenges than the names suggest. An unmarked alternative tip: where piste 2a and route 2 lead left to the Lärmstange lift, there is a rock. The deep snow is best in its shadow! The slope has a considerable gradient. Another great thing about the Hintertux Glacier: the valley run "Schwarze Pfanne" takes you directly to Hintertux, which is located at an altitude of 1,500 meters.