Hintertux, ski 365 days a year

The Hintertux Glacier receives its name from the glaciers of the Gefrorene-Wand-Kees, also called the Tuxer Ferner, and the nearby Riepenkees at the top of the Tuxertal, a side valley of the Zillertal in the Austrian state of Tirol. The Ziller Valley, and its largest town Mayrhofen, is one of the valley areas in Tirol most visited by tourists.

The Hintertux Glacier is the only ski resort in Austria open 365 days a year. The ski resort is located approximately an hour from Innsbruck (85 km), and 205 km from the airport of Munich.

The ski resort above the Tuxer Fernerhaus stretches across wide slopes between the Olperer (3476 m.) and the twin peaks of the Gefrorene-Wand-Spitzen (Nordgipfel, 3288 m., and Südgipfel, 3270 m). In winter, the ski area also includes the slopes at Tuxer Joch as well as the valley run.

Especially in autumn, the Hintertux Glacier is the place to be for ski fans who cannot wait until the coming winter season. From November-December onwards, skiers can enjoy 60 kilometers of glacier slopes (51 km of groomed pistes and 9 km of ski routes with 21 lifts), at altitudes of up to 3,250 m, of all levels of difficulty.

In 2020 Skiresort.de, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts, renowned the Hintertux Glacier with the award in the special category "Worldwide leading skiing area up to 60 km". In terms of snow reliability, slope preparation and variety, lifts and cable cars hit top status.

One of the main attractions is the descent in front of the "Gefrorene Wand" ("Frozen Wall") all the way down to Hintertux, at 12 kilometers the longest run in the Zillertal Valley.

In Winter, the Hintertux Glacier combines with the Zillertal skiing mountains Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken/Mayrhofen, and Ahorn to form the skiing area Zillertal 3000 Ski & Glacier World. With just one ski pass you can enjoy a total of 202 kilometers of slopes. Skiers with strong legs can then take on the ultimate challenge: 15,000 vertical meters and 60km of skiing in one day.

The Tuxertal valley ranges from 850 to 3,250 meters and is, therefore, one of the most reliable areas for snow in Austria.

A hotspot for deep-snow lovers is the fantastic Freeride runs in the Lärmstange area. Its altitude and orientation mean that there are typically good snow conditions.

Snowboarders and Freestylers appreciate the freestyle possibilities in the Betterpark Hintertux at 3,200 m, the highest and snowiest freestyle spot of Austria and rated as one of the best snow parks of the alps.

The Funslope Hintertux offers fun and action for every age group. Dynamic banked turns, snow waves and two gigantic Fun Twisters made of snow – that is what you can expect from your snow adventures at the Funslope Hintertux.

In summer Hintertux offers ideal skiing conditions. 10 lifts and up to 20 km of slopes await all snow enthusiasts. The longest descent is 2 km long and ends directly in front of the Tuxer Fernerhaus at 2,660 m. Here you can watch the best World Cup ski stars and teams training in the glacier for the upcoming winter season.

There are also two places to visit in Hintertux that we consider unavoidable, and you can perfectly combine with a ski day.

The first one is the Panorama Terrace on the Hintertux Glacier. It is located at an impressive 3,250 meters above sea level in the saddle between the peaks of the Gefrorene-Wand-Spitzen. The highest point in the Zillertal Alps with lift access can be found on the spacious observation deck at the top station of the lifts. This is where you will literally enjoy a bird’s eye view. Breathtakingly extensive views open in panoramic form, ranging from the Zugspitze to the Dolomites and Großglockner. From this location, you can also enjoy probably the best view of the high Alpine Zillertal Alps Nature Park. Thanks to the „Viscop“telescopes with integrated information you will always know which peak or mountain range you are currently focusing on.

The second one is the Nature Ice Palace: An available tour (Duration approx. 50 min) through offers the opportunity to experience a glacial cave system with magical ice stalactites, giant sparkling ice crystals, frozen waterfalls and even a glacial lake (The VIP Tour and includes a boat). The ice cave is open all year round.

At Nature's Ice Palace is a constant temperature of 0ºC. The ice of the Hintertux Glacier is up to 120 meters thick at its deepest point.

It has a length of about 4 km, but this varies annually by up to 40 meters. The glacier contains up to about 190 million cubic meters of ice.