As Austria's highest ski area, the Pitztal Glacier is a place of superlatives. With Austria's highest café, highest glacier lake and highest gondola lift, the Pitztal Glacier forms a year-round holiday paradise with an incomparable mountain panorama.
The Pitztal Glacier is the highest glacier in Austria and presents itself as a wonderful excursion and holiday destination all year round. In winter, it delights skiers and snowboarders with challenging slopes and a high degree of snow reliability, while in summer, the mountain world in Pitztal and the idyllic Rifflsee lake offer a variety of activities on the beautiful roof of Tyrol.
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Pictures: Pitztal Glacier on the "Roof of Tyrol
The view from the Pitztal Glacier is incomparable at any time of year. The dramatic panorama of the main Alpine ridge at over 3,000 metres is normally only seen by extreme mountaineers. The vegetation-free, rugged peaks of the Pitztal mountains are snow-covered even in summer and soar to a height of 3,774 metres - this is the Wildspitze, Tyrol's highest mountain.
Arrival at the Pitztal Glacier with the Wildspitzbahn
A view like this is usually the reward for a strenuous climb to the summit - not so on the Pitztal Glacier! The Wildspitzbahn, Austria's highest cable car, takes you comfortably over the eternal ice to the Hintere Brunnkogel and thus to an altitude of 3,440 metres in just a few minutes.
The valley station is in the village of Mandarfen at an altitude of 1682m. Large car parks are available at the end of the Pitztal valley before the ascent far above the tree line.
Café 3.440 - a restaurant of superlatives
Café 3.440 is located directly at the mountain station of the Wildspitzbahn. Austria's highest café serves Austria's highest breakfast and holds Austria's highest wedding ceremony. From the tables behind huge glass fronts, you have a view of over 50 three-thousand-metre peaks up to 150km away! The panorama terrace is very busy when the weather is nice and the prices are also adapted to the altitude.
Otherwise, there are no restaurants or huts on the Pitztal Glacier due to the altitude. If you want to spend a whole day hiking or skiing here, you have to be satisfied with small snacks or cater for yourself.
Skiing on the Pitztal Glacier
On Austria's winter sports summit, the ski season begins as early as September. Winter sports enthusiasts can then glide down the attractive slopes of the Pitztal Glacier until May. The snow conditions at this altitude are as perfect as nowhere else. Professionals will find racy downhill runs for the highest level here. A fun park with a wonderfully long wave run, the half pipe and several freeride routes over the Taschachferner or from the Mittagskogel also guarantee the best snow fun off the slopes.
Winter fun for the whole family
The skiing area Pitztaler Gletscher and Rifflsee with its rugged slopes is considered one of the most demanding skiing areas in Austria, but it also has wonderful practice slopes and harmless pistes for beginners. In the neighbouring Rifflsee skiing area (lift ticket valid for both skiing areas), skiing dwarves dare their first attempts on the boards at the practice area and in the Kinderland.
Tip: Don't miss the last valley descent with the Wildspitzbahn! The times are strictly observed and a descent on skis or snowboards is not possible!
Summer holiday on the Pitztal Glacier
Austria's highest glacier also has numerous holiday pleasures to offer in summer. Especially the ice-free Rifflsee then becomes a wonderful recreation area. Austria's highest glacier lake then invites you to take the country's highest raft trip.
Guided glacier hike - off into the eternal ice
Professional mountain guides offer around three-hour glacier hikes so that even non-climbers can get up close and personal with the eternal ice. You can marvel at rocks formed by the force of the glacier, glacier mills and glacier gates and, of course, the omnipresent breathtaking mountain panorama.
ZirbenPark Hochzeiger - discover the "Queen of the Alps
In the ZirbenPark at the middle station of the Wildspitzbahn, everything revolves around the hardy conifer, whose wood has enjoyed increasing popularity since the discovery of its positive influence on health. The 14 stations of the approximately 1km-long ZirbenPark circular hiking trail lead through a fragrant pine forest and is an experience for young and old with an adventure playground, ZirbenNest and ZirbenKulinarik.
Related links:
Official website of the Pitztal Valley and the Pitztal Glacier
