5 Tyrolean Glaciers: High-Altitude Slopes for a Great Start to the Skiseason

Last updated on 16.10.2026 | Tirol Werbung

The 5 Tyrolean Glaciers ski resorts have already kicked off the new season. On the Pitztal Glacier, international skiing stars such as Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Odermatt are currently preparing for the opening races of the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup in Sölden at the end of October. Holidaymakers in search of some early-season action can test their form on legendary slopes such as the Schwarze Schneid and the Black Ibex. There is also plenty to see away from the slopes such as the Nature Ice Palace on the Hintertux Glacier.

Five ski slopes you simply have to try

Schwarze Schneid, Black Ibex, Wilde Grub’n – the 5 Tyrolean Glaciers are home to a number of legendary slopes that will set skiers’ hearts racing. Each is unique in its own way and has that special something that makes a run live long in the memory. The Schwarze Schneid in Sölden, for example, is 15 kilometres from start to finish, making it the longest non-stop ski run in Austria. Starting from the BIG3 ‘Schwarze Schneid’ platform on the Rettenbach Glacier at 3,340 metres above sea level (the highest point in the Ötztal Valley), it drops an incredible 1,970 vertical metres as skiers and snowboarders make their way down to the bottom of the Gaislachkoglbahn cable car. Tirol’s steepest run, meanwhile, can be found just a short drive away on the Kaunertal Glacier. The Black Ibex, as it is known, begins at an altitude of 3,113 metres at the top of the Falginjochbahn cable car and boasts gradients of up to 88% in places.

Another highlight is the Wilde Grub’n run in the Stubai Valley. It leads from the highest point in the ski area at 3,212 metres all the way down to the bottom of the Eisgratbahn cable car at 1,695 metres – a vertical drop of around 1,500 vertical metres from start to finish. It is the venue for the Stubai Wilde Ride ski race (10 April 2027), one of the toughest giant slaloms in the world, covering six kilometres and passing through 160 gates. Last but certainly not least is the run from 3,250 metres above sea level down into the centre of Hintertux. This unique panoramic piste drops 1,750 metres from top to bottom, with the final stretch taking skiers and snowboarders via the ‘Schwarze Pfanne’ all the way down to the valley.

Freeriders in the Pitztal Valley should seek out the ‘Goldene Spur’, a circular ski safari taking in both the ski areas Rifflsee and Pitztal Glacier. Lasting around two hours, the route covers 33 kilometres of slopes and, using lifts and cable cars, ascends nearly 3,000 vertical metres, topping out at an altitude of 3,440 metres on the Pitztal Glacier before descending back into the valley via a run with a vertical drop of almost 1,700 metres.  We recommend hiring a ski guide if you wish to take on the ‘Goldene Spur’.

Fascinating experiences from the Nature Ice Palace to night-time ice climbing

The 5 Tyrolean Glaciers also offer plenty of action and adventure away from the ski slopes. In addition to the roughly 300 kilometres of marked pistes up to and above 3,000 metres, the glaciers have 75 state-of-the-art cable cars and ski lifts providing quick and easy access to the mountains.

Sölden and the surrounding Ötztal Valley are also a first-class destination for ice climbing. There are numerous frozen waterfalls in the region that can be scaled, with a number illuminated in the evening for night-time ice climbing. Fans of frozen water should also check out the Nature Ice Palace on the Hintertux Glacier. This fascinating underground world can be explored on foot, by kayak, floating on a stand-up paddle board or – for the truly hardy – with a little ice swimming. Tirol is also home to the Spannagel Cave, the largest rock cave and the only marble cave in the Central Alps.

The Pitztal Glacier offers not only excellent freeriding but also one of the most eye-catching culinary highlights in Tirol: Café 3.440. Austria’s highest-altitude café is not only a great place to enjoy breakfast but also has its own registry office, where couples can celebrate an unforgettable wedding. The family-friendly Stubai Glacier boasts the Stubai Zoo snow park and the TOP OF TYROL viewing platform. The Kaunertal Glacier, meanwhile, is particularly popular among monoskiers and can be accessed quickly and easily via the spectacular Kaunertal Glacier Road. The lifts, restaurant and viewing platform on the Kaunertal Glacier are all wheelchair-accessible, while the staff are specially trained in the needs of wheelchair users.

Art-lovers should keep their eyes open when visiting the Kaunertal Glacier and Pitztal Glacier. There, local Tirolean artist Hannah Philomena Scheiber has designed three gondola cars as part of the LiftART initiative. The three works depict three of the most famous landmarks in the region: the Gepatschferner Glacier, the Weißseespitze mountain and the Kaunergrat ridge. The Weißseespitze motif adorns a lift pylon on the Karlesjochbahn cable car.

Exciting events, from the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup to the Powder Department Ladies’ Days

Winter in Tirol’s five glacier ski resorts is packed full of exciting events. Highlights on the Kaunertal Glacier include a season-opening party hosted by international event and travel company Eloaa (11 to 13 December 2026) and the Kaunertal Testival & Freeride Days on 30 and 31 January 2027.  There will also be an avalanche safety camp on 28–29 November and 12–13 December 2026, led by the local mountain guides. Sölden traditionally hosts the first event of the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup season, with the men’s and women’s giant slalom taking place on 24 and 25 October this year. Visitors wishing to combine fine skiing with fine dining can take part in the Ice Q Summit Dinner at the Ice Q restaurant perched at over 3,000
metres in the mountains above Sölden. The luxurious dinner costs 195 euros per person, including a set menu and transport to and from the restaurant.

Things to look out for on the Stubai Glacier this season include the Stubai Prime Parks Sessions (2 to 22 November 2026) at the Stubai Zoo Park, the Intersport Testival (12 to 15 November 2026) and the Powder Department Ladies’ Days (22 to 24 January 2027). On the Pitztal Glacier, Café 3,440 invites guests to enjoy breakfast above the clouds every Saturday accompanied by the sound of live music. Last but not least, the Hintertux Glacier will be hosting the Original+ Ski Test (31 October to 8 November 2026) and the FIS Moguls + Dual Moguls opening event, where breathtaking jumps will be on display (5 to 7 November 2026).

White5, Snow Card Tirol and glacier packages: the ingredients for maximum skiing fun

For ski enthusiasts keen to explore all 5 Tyrolean Glaciers, the White5 ski pass is your golden ticket to all the lifts and cable cars in Sölden, the Kaunertal Glacier, the Pitztal Glacier, the Stubai Glacier and the Hintertux Glacier. It costs 669 euros and is valid for a total of ten days (which do not have to be used consecutively) during the season from 1 October 2026 to 15 May 2027. If that’s not enough, the Snow Card Tirol grants holders access to over 90 ski resorts and all five glacier ski resorts in Tirol. Early birds can get their hands on the Snow Card Tirol at a special reduced price (valid only until 31 October 2026) of 1,080 euros.

When planning your holiday in detail, including booking accommodation, it’s worth taking a look at the glacier holiday packages. There are attractive offers available in all regions and across different hotel categories catering for all budgets. Further information can be found at www.tirolergletscher.com/en/index.html