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| Austria Glacial Skiing Vacations and Luxury Adventure Packages |
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Austria's Year-Round Skiing Areas
In Austria, skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing are by no means confined to the winter season. There are eight year-round winter sports areas where the season lasts twelve months. The alpine and cross-country skiing teams from many countries come to Austria's glaciers to hold their training camps.
It is not just alpine skiers who can benefit from the irresistible attraction of combining their favourite sport with swimming or golfing (in Zell am See). Cross-country skiers can also stay in shape throughout the summer - at the International Cross-country Skiing Centre on the Dachstein glacier, for example, or on the Kaunertal glacier. Then again, snowboarders don't need to wait for the next winter - they can keep going all year round. Hintertux in Zillertal is just one of many glacier snowboarding centres where the fun just doesn't stop.
KAUNERTAL GLACIER SKIING AREA
The Kaunertal Panorama Road, considered by many to be the finest high-altitude mountain road in the Alps, goes up to the world of eternal ice at an altitude of 2,750 metres. The skiing area of some 350 hectares has been ideally developed. There are chairlifts and T-bars going up to 3,200 metres above sea level, where snow conditions are absolutely dependable. Apart from the specially prepared pistes for downhill skiers and training teams, there are ski runs with a vertical difference of more than 1,000 metres catering to skiers at all levels of proficiency. There is also a full-time Halfpipe for the benefit of the growing numbers of snowboarders who come here. Children up to the age of ten are eligible for a free ski pass if accompanied by a parent purchasing a pass for 4 days or more. The tourist boards listed below provide information about accommodation in every price category and about package offers.
PITZTAL GLACIER / ST. LEONHARD IM PITZTAL
From Imst, the Pitztal road goes up the valley to the station of the glacier underground railway Pitzexpress at an altitude of 1,740 metres. The Pitzexpress (capacity: 180 passengers) takes about eight minutes to reach the top station at 2,840 metres above sea level. From here you can change to Austria's highest-lying cable car, the Pitz Panorama Railway, which goes up to the summit of the Hinterer Brunnenkogel at an altitude 3,440 metres. From here you have the peak of Tirol's highest mountain, the Wildspitze (3,774 metres), right in front of you, not to mention more than fifty mountain peaks over 3,000 metres. Between mid-September and early June four T-Bars and a double chairlift are in operation.
The skiing area also includes about twelve kilometres of high-altitude cross-country skiing trails and a Funpark for snowboarders (which has been awarded the snowboard quality seal). The skiing slopes cater to skiers of all levels of proficiency from beginners to experts. Between November and April a children's adventure area (Children's Land) is laid out in the snow. There is a wide range of ski touring routes, which include the Wildspitze, and guided descents to the valley are available. Among the facilities are a ski and snowboard school, the Euro 3000 racing school, and a ski and snowboard testing centre at an altitude of 2,840 metres. The two mountain restaurants have a combined capacity of about 650 persons, and there is also a bar.
Pitztal is used by many national skiing teams as a training area. It is also the home of star competitive skier Benni Raich. The region has won the Piste Quality Seal of the Province of Tirol. The ski pass also covers the Rifflsee family skiing area (1,680 - 2,800 metres, open between December and April). It is served by a 6-person gondola railway, a weather-protected 4-seater chairlift and several T-bars. This area also includes a 7-kilometre high-altitude cross-country skiing trail round the lake, two restaurants and a downhill run linking up with the valley station of the Pitztal glacier railway.
Pitztal has approximately 8,500 tourist beds in all the resorts: St. Leonhard, Wenns-Piller, Jerzens and Arzl.
RETTENBACH-TIEFENBACH GLACIER / SÖLDEN IM ÖTZTAL
The Ötztal exit on the A 12 (Inntal Motorway) takes you straight onto the main road to Sölden (1,377 metres above sea level), where you can turn off onto the 15-kilometre Panorama Road to the glacier skiing area (at altitude between 2,674 and 3,255 metres). There are large car parks at the valley stations of the lifts.
A 4-seater chairlift (valley station at 2,674 metres) takes you from Rettenbach car park to the Rettenbachjoch (top station at 2,995 metres), from where a T-bar goes on up to the Schwarzer Schneid (top station at 3,167) and a second T-bar to the Karleskogel (3,248 metres). The T-bar to the Seiterjöchl (3,032 metres) also links up with the Tiefenbach Glacier, which can also be reached by means of the 1,750-metre long road tunnel (the highest-lying road tunnel in the Alps). The facilities include a restaurant, events pavilion, kiosk, snow bar, ski and snowboard school, ski kindergarten and sports shop (with equipment rentals). The glacier winter sports area is also the site of the winter sports industry's European Test Centre.
Innovation in the 2000/2001 season: the Tiefenbachferner chairlift and the Tiefenbachkogel T-bar have been replaced by a new 8-seater ropeway (valley station at 2,793 metres, top station at 3,255 metres). Further ski lifts: Seiterkar (chairlift), Mutkogl, Panorama and Minilift (T-bars). The 3-seater Seiterkar chairlift links up with the Rettenbach Glacier, making this the only glacier ski arena in the Eastern Alps.
A new era began in Sölden in the 1998/99 season, when the resort's winter skiing area was connected with the existing Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glacier skiing areas not only by means of the Panorama Road but also by a new ski lift system: more particularly, the extension of Schwarzkogl skiing area with the Einzeiger, Seekogl and Schwarzkogl lifts (all three are 4-seater chairlifts) and the Glacier Express 8-person gondola railway. This enlargement has created a further extensive skiing area with challenging slopes. The facilities will be supplemented by another mountain restaurant, "Bergrestaurant Schwarzkogl", where you can relax and enjoy the unspoilt landscape and the superb panoramic view.
STUBAI GLACIER / NEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL
From the Schönberg exit on the Brenner Motorway or the Main Road over the Brenner there is a good road leading through the Stubai Valley to Neustift-Mutterberg, which lies at an altitude of 1,750 metres. There are four comfortable ropeways from the Mutterbergalm valley station via the Middle Station (2,302 metres) to the Eisgrat top station (2,900 metres) or the Eissee (2,600 metres). From here you reach the extensive slopes of the following glaciers:
the Eisjochferner: 1 6-seater chairlift, 2 T-bars and 3 nursery lifts from 2,600 to 3,150 metres the Daunferner: 1 4-seater chairlift from 2,600 to 3,000 metres, 1 double chairlift from 3,100 to 3,215 metres and 1 T-bar from 2,850 to 3,160 metres the Fernauferner: 2 T-bars and 1 chairlift from 2,300 to 3,100 m the Gaisskarferner: 1 T-bar from 2,900 to 3,170 m and the Windachferner: 1 T-bar from 3,080 to 3,170 m and new this season: the Pfaffengrat Chairlift from 2,900 to 3,060 metres. This links the Gaisskarferner with the Fernauferner and completes the ski arena around the 3,333-metre high Schaufenspitze.
The ski pistes total 50 kilometres in length, most of which can be classified as family runs. More ambitious skiers will want to try the faster descents and the deep-snow slopes. The absolute high-point of this area is Austria's longest high-altitude ski touring descent, from an altitude of 3,200 metres through the "Wilde grube" and down to 1,750 metres. There is a 4.5-kilometre cross-country skiing trail at an altitude of 2,600 metres.
In the skiing area itself, refreshments and catering are available at the large "Eisgrat" panorama restaurant, the "Gamsgarten" restaurant (with a large sun terrace and canopied bar area), the "Zur Goldenen Gams" restaurant (with table service), the "Jochdohle" (Austria's highest-lying ski hut, and two other huts: the "Bödelehütte" and the "Dresdner Hütte". For snowboarders there is a Funpark on the Stubai Glacier close to the Eisgrat mountain station. It includes a Quarterpipe, Spine, Tabletop, Projump and a new Halfpipe as well as two giant slalom runs, one snowboard racing run and a carving slope with lights. Children's supervision is available at the Kinderland Gamsgarten and at the Visitors' Kindergarten run by the Neustift Tourist Office.
The Stubai Alps are famous as a ski touring region. Accommodation in Neustift extends along the last 18 kilometres of the Stubai Valley as far as the glacier railway.
HINTERTUX GLACIER / TUX IM ZILLERTAL
From the Zillertal exit on the A12 Inntal Motorway it is 50 kilometres to Tux. The valley has as its grandiose backdrop the 3,476-metre peak of the Olperer.
4 Seasons - 365 Days' Superlative Skiing
20 state-of-the-art cable cars and ski lifts serve Austria's finest year-round skiing area. In autumn the pistes total 40 to 60 kilometres over fresh powder snow, with a view that can extend for 100 kilometres. In winter: 86 kilometres of pistes ranging from easy to challenging; the longest run, 12 kilometres, is from the Gefrorene Wand down to the valley, including the "Lärmstange" mogul slope. There are more than 9 hectares of pistes in the Tuxer-Fernerhaus / Sommerbergalm area which are served by snow machines. In spring: 40 to 60 kilometres of pistes for névé skiing in glorious sunshine; the ski touring season lasts until May, with such routes as Riffler, Schleggeiss Reservoir, Kleegruben and Federbettkees. In summer: 10 to 18 kilometres of pistes, the longest run being 2 kilometres to the sun terrace at the Tuxer-Fernerhaus; World Cup Halfpipe.
Snowboard-Fun
Between May and November snowboarders from far and wide meet at the World Cup Haslfpipe and the Kingsize Park by the Olperer T-Bar. The snowboard stars who train here include Mike Ranquet, Fabien Roher and Stine B. Kjeldas. And when the snowboarding day's over, there's plenty of après ski action at the Sommerberg Arena.
Glacier Adventure
Glacier Bus II takes you to the place where waking seems more like dreaming: sheltered from the weather, you can gaze at a panorama to make you catch your breath. You won't regret joining a guided tour of Spannagelhöhle, the largest cave in Tirol. Adventurers will relish the chance to try ice climbing, ski touring, tandem paragliding or a superb climbing expedition to one of the 3,000-metre peaks in the vicinity. The restaurants "Tuxer-Fernerhaus", "Sommerbergalm" and the 90-year old "Spannagelhaus" serve excellent meals and offer a magnificent view of the Zillertal glaciers.
New Dimension
The new Glacier Bus III was opened in April 2000, since when it has got up to 3,000 passengers feeling on top of the world. In a mere 5 minutes it makes the climb from the Tuxer-Fernerhaus at 2,660 metres) to the Gefrorene Wand at 3,250 metres. The panorama gondolas (seating capacity: 16 persons) offer a view that ranges from the Zugspitze as far as the Dolomites - an unforgettable experience for skiers and snowboarders. New as of October 2000: an 8-person gondola railway from the glacier railway valley station in Hintertux to the Sommerbergalm.
MÖLLTAL GLACIER
The Mölltal glacier in northern Carinthia lies at altitudes between 2,200 and 3,120 metres. In the summer months the glacier ski arena covers an area of 150 hectares. It is served by two T-bars (Schareck up to 3,120 metres and Wurten to 2,800 metres), a nursery lift (about 300 metres), and the Eissee single ropeway. Access to the ropeway is provided by the world's longest underground funicular railway, the "Mölltal Glacier Express". The valley station is in Innerfragrant, at an altitude of 1,250 metres, the ropeway's lower station lies 2,200 metres above sea level, and the top station and mountain restaurant are at 2,800 metres. In July to September the T-bars run only until 2 pm. The ski runs have been entended to a total length of 47.5 kilometres (12 kilometres in summer). The continuous descent from Schareck is now 5.7 kilometres long.
DACHSTEIN GLACIER / RAMSAU
Access is from Schladming in the Enns Valley by bus (regular services from Schladming railway station) or by car up a well-constructed mountain road to the Ramsau Plateau (1,100 - 1,300 metres) and on via the Dachstein Panorama Road to the valley station of the glacier railway at Türlwandhütte (1,700 metres).
The cable car takes only a few minutes to cover the 1,000 vertical ascent (without pylons) against the majestic backdrop of the Dachstein south faces up to the year-round skiing area on the Dachstein glacier. The Hunerkogel top station houses a modern self-service restaurant and ranks as one of the finest panorama points in the Eastern Alps.
On the Dachstein glacier: three T-bars and a double chairlift serve the skiing area (where there are no crevasses). These slopes are also suitable for beginners. International cross-country skiing summer training centre with some fifteen kilometres of groomed and marked trails.
New since July 2000: snowboard Funpark. Numerous ski touring routes.
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