Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee Ski Resort Austria
Pitztal is a beautiful valley in the Tyrol of Austria offering wonderful skiing and snowboarding at Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee ski resorts. Pitztal Glacier ski resort is Austria's highest glacier skiing at a lofty 3,440m, and one of the most snow-sure ski areas in Europe with a season running from late September through to May. Aside from the likes of Zermatt, Saas Fee & Hintertux that never truly close, Pitztal Glacier is the first ski area to open in Europe for its extended winter season.
Combined with the nearby & family friendly Rifflsee, Pitztal has an eye-watering skiable vertical of 1,760m. That is enough to turn the thighs of the most hardened campaigner into mush. A haven for powder seeking off-piste ski junkies, the Wildspitzbahn will get you to a nose bleeding height of 3,440m.
The panoramic views of the impressive Wildspitze (3,774m) will be appreciated by intermediate skiers, and noted, then ignored by the powder hunting experts as they harvest fresh line after fresh line inbounds, and then in the vast high-alpine backcountry.
Pros & Cons for Pitztal Glacier Ski Resort
Pros
- Rated in Top 10 ski resorts in Europe for Powderhounds since we can remember (with the likes of Kühtai & Sainte Foy), plus equal best in Austria for Powderhounds.
- Quality snow, deep snowpack & long ski season.
- Sensational off-piste powder.
- Backcountry ski variants are simply superb, plus high alpine ski touring options are endless.
- Wide open piste trails for beginners & intermediates.
- Amazing views & glacial features.
- Uncrowded, no lift lines.
- Great value for money when combined with Rifflsee & Hochzeiger
- Good place to learn powder skiing for intermediates.
- Ability to ski Rifflsee or Hochzeiger when the weather is poor on the mountain.
Cons
- Difficult to ski during poor weather.
- Limited on-mountain restaurant & bar options.
- Limited nearby accommodation.
- Relatively small ski area if unable to ski the off-piste powder & variants.
- Poor set up at exit point of Glacier Express funicular (that's real picky, but it is an ugly way to start a day!).
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Quiet base area at Mittelberg & Mandarfen.
- Valley is relatively high altitude, in shadow most of winter & very cold.
- Best combined with other ski areas like Hochzeiger.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
Pitztal Glacier is a relatively small ski resort spread across two high alpine bowls, but it skis BIG & is loaded with powder. The lifts are perfect for the terrain. Both gondolas are nothing short of spectacular, and even the main T-bar access some brilliant terrain.
Check out the ski trail map for Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee below.
For most visitors to Pitztal, the potential 1,760m of skiable vertical will never be touched. The reality of Pitztaler Gletscher ski resort is that the main lift served terrain is, a still pleasing, 650m of vertical. The other 1,100 odd metres of skiable vert is in the backcountry variants that depart the upper resort area & find their way down to the funicular base at Mittelberg or the Rifflsee base at Mandarfen.
Piste trails are suitable for all abilities, particularly when combined with the adjacent Rifflsee (same lift ticket, access via a regular bus).
The freeride & touring options at Pitztal Glacier are exactly what skiing Europe is all about. The 10km long Taschachtal variant is sensational, but snowboarders may struggle on the last 4km without a splitboard, skins or at least poles. The skiing is heliski-quality minus the helicopter, guides & other people!
For detailed information on ski lifts, terrain, passes & trail maps, see the Pitztal Glacier Skiing & Snowboarding page.
Snow & Weather
The high elevation of Pitztaler Gletscher provides abundant snowfalls & a consistently good snow quality long after the last snowfall that is becoming more & more difficult to find around the world. It is not unusual for the resort to have 6m+ snow bases by the middle of the season.
Skiing or snowboarding during poor weather is quite the chore at Pitztal & not recommended for any but the most hardened campaigner. A more splendid location in sunshine one will struggle to find. Ski Pitztal when the visibility is good, otherwise head to the significantly lower elevation Rifflsee or Hochzeiger further down the valley.
Where is Pitztal Glacier Austria?
Pitztal Glacier ski resort is splendidly located deep in the Pitz valley (Pitztal!) near Austria's 2nd highest peak, the glacier clad Wildspitze. Pitztal is part of the Tyrol & the ski resort is 52km southwest of Innsbruck (as the crow flies!). That said, Pitztal isn't the easiest place to get to, but is absolutely worth the effort.
Gateway airports for Pitztal are Innsbruck (INN) (for travellers from within Europe & UK) and Munich (MUC) or Zurich (ZRH) (for everyone else). The nearest major town is Wenns at the start of the valley, 28km by road to the north of the ski resort, but the locality nearest the ski area is generally referred to as Sankt-Leonhard-im-Pitztal.
Due to the difficult nature of public transport to the Pitztal Glacier, for reasons of value & efficiency, we recommend looking at a private transfer, particularly if in a group of 3 or more people. Search & book all transfers to Pitztal Glacier.
From Innsbruck or Landeck, Pitztal is a short train ride to Imst-Pitztal and then the route 4204 bus (hourly) from the train station. Journey time from Innsbruck is about 1hr 40min. Got a car - a lot quicker. We recommend renting cars from Innsbruck.
For more information of the best ways to get there, see our Travel to Pitztal Glacier page.
Pitztal Accommodation
The Pitztal is a long narrow valley lined with numerous small hamlets (under the overarching name of Sankt-Leonhard-im-Pitztal) providing an excellent range of hotels, apartments and guesthouses. However, there is no accommodation in the actual glacier part of the ski resort, but near to the Glacier Express funicular lift base is one ski-in (from Rifflsee) ski-out option with bunk rooms and meals (the Pitztaler Schihütte). Two hotels are within walking distance to the funicular in Mittelberg. A beautiful new resort-style complex at Mittelberg, the das Chaletdorf - Pitztal is the place to stay when skiing the area, although its apartments & chalets may not suit singles or couples.
Search & book all Pitztal Glacier ski accommodation.
Next down the valley in Mandarfen at the base of Rifflsee ski area, several ski-in guesthouses & hotels are conveniently positioned. The 4-star Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is perfectly located next to the Rifflsee gondola base & aside from being a gorgeous place to stay, can easily be connected to the Glacier Express funicular via the gondola & a ski trail, thus avoiding buses or walking. Also well-placed & with some lively après ski is Hotel Mittagskogel Pitztal Further on toward the rear of Mandarfen is the reliable Hotel Rifflsee, a traditional Austrian 3-star which will please everyone that stays there, plus its easier on the wallet! Also worth a try is the superb Hotel Mandarfenerhof and in a quiet location ,the well-priced self-contained apartments of Pension Alpin.
Other hamlets with numerous hotels and apartments are further down the valley at Tieflehn and Plangeross. Both are within 5min drive (or short local bus ride) of the ski resort. In Plangeross, for true Austrian Alps tradition try Hotel Garni Kirchenwirt. Further down the valley and still on the ski bus route, the larger village of Sankt Leonhard has several hotels & guesthouses including the well-priced Hotel-Restaurant Liesele Sonne.
Failing all that, or if looking for a base to ski the entire valley, including Hochzeiger, the large town of Wenns and the smaller Jerzens offer alternatives with all the services required for a longer stay. Numerous excellent self-contained apartments at local farms provide a wonderful local holiday experience. Both towns have regular bus services to Pitztal Glacier.
Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding
Ski or snowboard rentals are available via our partners in villages near Pitztal Glacier. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Pitztal Glacier Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
Off-piste ski lessons & guiding may make all the difference to a stay at Pitztal. For more info & options, see our Pitztal Glacier Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
Food & Nightlife
Pitztal Glacier’s on-mountain dining is all in splendid surrounds but with food and service far less inspiring than the views. Some good après ski and dinner venues exist off the mountain. To read about the best places to eat, drink and party at Pitztal Glacier, see our Food & Nightlife page.
Reviews
The Powderhounds reviewed Pitztal Glacier in 2018 & had the time of our lives. We will definitely be heading this coming season. So should you! Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.
See how Pitztal compares to the rest of the Austrian ski resorts on the Austria ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.
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