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Foto del escritorRaúl Revuelta

Esquí en noviembre: los 5 glaciares de Tirol (Austria)



Las cinco estaciones de esquí en los glaciares de Kaunertal, Pitztal, Sölden, Stubai y Hintertux con casi 300 kilómetros de pistas y nieve garantizada, al encontrarse situadas en el entorno de los 3.000 metros sobre el nivel del mar, son una de las mejores opciones del mundo si quieres empezar. tu temporada de esquí en noviembre.

Los glaciares del Tirol están abiertos hasta diez meses al año (el glaciar Hintertux está abierto los 365 días del año). Mientras que en otros lugares se sigue esperando la llegada de las primeras nieves, en los glaciares tiroleses encontramos pistas excelentemente preparadas, cómodos y modernos remontes, terrazas panorámicas, modernos cafés y restaurantes, y nieve garantizada casi todo el año. Los glaciares tiroleses ofrecen una variedad infinita de pistas de esquí, actividades y paisajes espectaculares.


La estación de esquí situada en el glaciar de Kaunertal es la de más reciente creación del Tirol. El viaje al Glaciar es una experiencia maravillosa en sí misma. La panorámica carretera que nos lleva hasta el glaciar es una de las "carreteras de alta montaña más hermosas de los Alpes". La impresionante ruta panorámica atraviesa pintorescos paisajes montañosos formados por más de 30 cumbres que superan los 3.000 metros de altitud hasta llegar a la estación de esquí situada a 2.750 metros.

El nuevo teleférico Falginjochbahn, inaugurado en la temporada 2019-2020, asciende hasta los 3.113 metros sobre el nivel del mar. El teleférico de última generación es totalmente accesible y da acceso a pistas azules, rojas y negras, incluida Black Ibex, la pista máyor pendiente de Austria.


Kaunertal Glacier. Falginjochbahn. Picture: Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen

El area de esquí del glaciar Kaunertal es una de las más altas de la región y ofrece unas condiciones de nieve fantásticas hasta bien entrada la primavera. Además, el 40% de las pistas cuentan con una moderna red de innivación.

50 pistas de esquí; la ausencia de colas en los remontes y un área de esquí de 138 hectáreas son razones suficientes para visitar el glaciar Kaunertal.

Kaunertal es también un lugar secreto para los freeriders con numerosas pistas de nieve en polvo sin pistas. A los ciclistas les encanta el concepto bien desarrollado de "revisa tu línea" en el glaciar Kaunertal, que marca las numerosas rutas y variantes lejos de las pistas acondicionadas. 36 kilómetros de rutas de esquí conducen al Ochsenalm en dirección a Gepatschhaus y a lo largo del valle de Langtaufer hasta Italia (el único camino de regreso es en taxi - 90 km). La ruta de esquí es una variante que solo debe intentarse con un guía de montaña.



Pitztal is Tirol's highest glacier. To reach the Pitztal Glacier ski resort from the base in Mittelberg you hop-on in the Gletscherexpress funicular mountain railway. After a ca. 8-minute ride with the underground train, you will reach the ski area. At the Top station, skiers hop off at an altitude of 2840 m at the foot of the 14 slopes, mainly red, though there are also some blue and black pistes.

The Pitztal Ski Area comprises a total of 22,2 km of pistes located between 1700 m at the base station of the funicular (and the arrival of the signposted, freeride route of "Variante Mittagskogel") and 3440 meters, at the top of the Hinterer Brunnenkogel. The 1700 vertical meters are served by 7 ski lifts.



Freeriders can try the long descent over the Taschachferner glacier, passing through powder fields and past crevasses. Another area popular with Freeriders is the 1,500 meters run from the Mittagskogel mountain down into the valley.

One more thing, we recommend you to round off your day by taking the Wildspitzbahn cable to the top station on the Hinterer Brunnenkogel (3,440 m) where you kick back on the panorama terrace of the "Café 3440" - the highest café in all Austria.


Pitztal Glacier. Café 3.440 Picture: Ski Paradise

Sölden's skiable terrain is formidable, with a season that begins in mid-September, and runs until May.

Since 1993 Sölden hosts on the Rettenbach Glacier the first race on the calendar of the Alpine Ski World Cup in October.

Sölden's Glacier Ski Area ranks among the largest in Austria. From autumn to spring you can ski on the wide and snow-sure slopes of Rettenbach & Tiefenbach Glaciers. The two glacier ski mountains, which extend between 2675 meters and 3250 meters above sea level and comprise 34.5 slope kilometers, are connected by a spectacular ski tunnel. And take advantage there is surprisingly little hustle and bustle in the pre-winter months.

International Ski Teams train on the red and black slopes of Rettenbach Glacier. Here in Sölden, you can enjoy skiing on the fairly steep and demanding World Cup slope. But before you take the challenge remember, it is not for nothing that the Giant Slalom in the Rettenbach Racecourse is considered one of the most difficult of the entire FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

Neighbouring Tiefenbach Glacier boasts blue and red slopes and is quite relaxing. The much gentler, flatter terrain promises great fun for beginners and advanced skiers.


Sölden Glacier. Rettenbach Racecourse. Picture: Ski Paradise

The majestic Stubai Glacier, popularly known as the #kingdomofsnow, extends all the way up to 3,210 meters above sea level and is the largest glacier ski resort in Austria with 64 kilometers of slopes and 26 lifts.


Stubai Glacier. Picture: Ski Paradise. 20.10.2021

Thanks to the new 3S Eisgratbahn, with a length of 4.7 kilometers is the longest lift of its kind in the Alps, it takes only 11.7 minutes from the base station to the Eisgrat top station (2,900m). During the ride, its panorama gondolas offer fabulous views of the mountains.

One of the highlights of Stubai is the 10km "Wilde Grube" descent from the Wildspitz mountain station (3,210m) to the valley station (1,750m).

The TOP OF TIROL summit platform towers at 3,210 meters offers magnificent panoramic views of 109 3,000m-peaks from the Stubai Alps to the Dolomites. The GEO magazine ranked the TOP OF TIROL platform among the 10 most beautiful viewing platforms in the world.

The Stubai Glacier is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in Tirol. In the BIG Family Ski-Camp trained staff looks after the ski kids (children to 10 years of age ski for free if accompanied by a paying parent). Many blue pistes and lifts that are easy to get on and off introduce children gently to the world of skiing.

Snow safety, a great variety of lines and numerous freeride possibilities make the Stubai Glacier in the Tirol a freeride hotspot in Austria., with the "Powder Department" attracting skiers and boarders addicted to backcountry adventures.

The Powder Department offers 13 GPS-tracked freeride runs, route videos, 2 checkpoints at the Eisgrat and the Gamsgarten with info panels with route descriptions, transceiver check, and information on avalanche situation, and an LVS training facility.



The Stubai Glacier is included in the SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai. It includes 13 ski areas (Stubai Glacier, Axamer Lizum, Schlick 2000, Kühtai, Hochötz, Muttereralm, Bergeralm, Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen, Serlesbahnen, Elferbahnen, Patscherkofel, Oberperfuss - Rangger Köpfl, and Glungezer), 22 city experiences, 3 indoor pools, the use of the entire ski bus network as well as the Innsbruck Sightseer hop-on, hop-off bus tour.



The Hintertux Glacier is Austria’s only year-round ski resort, offering perfectly groomed, snow-sure runs 365 days of the year.

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 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.

One of the musts is to visit the Panorama Terrace, 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.


Hintertux Glacier. Panoramic Terrace. Picture: Tourismusverband Tux-Finkenberg

The 5 Tirolean Glaciers Pass White5 is valid for all operating lifts at Kaunertal Glacier, Pitztal Glacier, Sölden, Stubai Glacier, and Hintertux Glacier.

The White5 ski pass costs 492€ and is valid for 10 days from 1 October to 15 May. The ski pass days do not have to be used consecutively and are issued exclusively on a special 5 Tyrolean Glaciers pass key card.

The White5 lift pass can be purchased at all lift pass sales points of the 5 Tyrolean Glaciers ski resorts.


If you love skiing in Tirol, one of the best options is to purchase the Snow Card Tirol. For only 876 €, from 1 October until 15 May, you will have access to over 90 ski areas, more than 3,000 km pistes, 1,100 lifts, including the glaciers of Kaunertal, Pitztal, Sölden, Stubai, and Hintertux. That means 227 days of skiing for less than 4 € a day!!!

All EU citizens can buy the Snow Card Tirol at the regular rate. The keycard costs 2 € and can be used again next year.

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