Pitztaler Gletscher

Pitztaler Gletscher
Extremely breathtaking

The Glacier Express is the heart of Austria's westernmost glacier ski area. Doppelmayr has improved the ride comfort of this tunnel cable car, which has remained unchanged in size and capacity compared to the old cable car. 1,110 meters of altitude can be covered in eight minutes. In any case, (almost) everything in the Pitztal is top-notch. In the sense of being at the highest. This also applies to the Dynafit Ski Touring Park, the first secured ski touring park in Tyrol. From autumn to late spring, the three ascent tracks of varying difficulty are designed in such a way that there are no points of contact with the skiers descending. Both beginners, for whom courses are offered, and ambitious ski tourers should get their money's worth. Many other things here are also record-breaking: the cross-country ski station with changing facilities, for example, or when enjoying Austria's highest café latte on the Pitztal Glacier. "DAS 3.440" still adorns the highest cable car station in the Eastern Alps. The fact that the cable car to the Hinterer Brunnenkogel bears the name of the neighboring Wildspitze - North Tyrol's highest peak, which looks down a little pityingly on its lower neighbor - only irritates locals. What is more important is that the Wildspitz cable car allows you to reach the highest regions quickly and comfortably. Last but not least, the Wildspitze itself can be conquered relatively "easily" on touring skis.

breaks in the warmth have something to offer, because the glacier region is not a comfortable place to be on stormy days. But it is ideal for an endless season. In order to ensure that the access below the glacier is guaranteed to be snow-covered, the cable cars have long had a temperature-independent snowmaking system in operation. The Wildspitzbahn (journey time only 6 minutes!) fits in harmoniously despite its futuristic architecture. Once you reach the edge of the glacier at 2,840 meters, the question arises: first go downhill to the left to take the 8-seater Mittelbergbahn to the pass in two stages? From there, the "Swiss Way" is particularly enjoyable, 600 meters uphill.

variant 2 is the rear Brunnenkogel, to carve the flat slopes down to the glacier lake. The chairlift of the same name has the heated seats necessary at these heights. The fun section is now located directly at the main lifts. Boardercross and snow park are prepared on the edge of the Mittelbergbahn, while the halfpipe at the glacier lake lift is used eagerly. In this area - a little off the beaten track, so that you are sure to drive past it twice in three attempts - there is also a free speed test track.

adventurer are naturally looking forward to the valley run through the Taschachtal for half a day. The start is below the Mittelbergbahn. To do this, you always have to stay as far uphill as possible (to the right), then the unmarked variant over the glacier cannot be missed. The 11 km route circles the Brunnenkogel, initially offering a gradient and then increasingly flatter deep snow slopes. A little nervousness remains in view of the crevasses hidden somewhere under the deep snow. Only at the end does the descent have the character of a cross-country ski run. A few meters later you come to the Rifflsee ski area with the SunnAlm cable car, which is absolutely safe for children. Rifflsee with the Grubenkopf as its highest point (2,800 m) is underestimated, the slopes are more attractive, but certainly more challenging than on the glacier. Our tip: park at the lowest car park in Mandarfen, start in the morning with the Rifflsee cable car and only then switch to the glacier!