5 Tirolean Glaciers: Powder snow in springtime, sunshine skiing and a whole host of cool events.
Last updated on 19.02.2018
The ski season goes into overtime. Accompanied by sunshine and excellent conditions on the slopes. The best place to experience all this is on the 5 Tirolean Glaciers, because when it comes to late season sunshine skiing with great snow: the higher the better is what counts. Ski fun is guaranteed in some areas right into June and even possible all year round at the Hintertux Glacier.
Kaunertal Glacier, freeriding, snowboarding and a very special kind of ski race
The Kaunertal Glacier stays open for skiers until the 21st May. But before then, there are a number of exciting events on the cards: THULE Freeride Testival BMW xDrive takes place on the 17th and 18th March 2018, with plenty of opportunity to test the latest models, oodles of freeride fun and free BMW shuttle services from the valley back to the cable cars. All boarders and freeskiers can look forward to some cool runs and awesome parties at the Spring Classics from 7th April to 21st May 2018. The Choice Company Split Camp from 20th to 22nd April 2018 is ideal for all backcountry and powder fans, when mountain guides from Kaunertal and professional snowboarders accompany snowboard and split-board tours, offer helpful advice and organize avalanche training. A very special kind of ski race takes place on the 29th April 2018, the legendary “Soal Race”, where teams of 3 participants are attached together by rope: These teams compete against each other in a giant slalom race, with a few small obstacles thrown in for good measure. If you fancy taking part in all this fun, you should sign up with the Kaunertal Gletscherbahnen Cable Car Co. by no later than 21st April.
Pitztal Glacier , freeriding for the pros or ski touring for beginners and Austria’s highest wine tasting at 3,440 meters
You can ski on the Pitztal Glacier until 22nd April 2018, before which the season finale is celebrated in special style on the 20th and 21st of April with the unique “Firn, Wine & Pleasure” event, Austria’s highest wine tasting session. 15 winegrowers from Austria and South Tyrol present their finest wines in Café 3.440, before the Pitztal Wine and Gourmet Night in the event marquee in Mandarfen later in the evening.
Before the season finally ends, however, visitors can look forward to a number of other cool events. From 8th to the 11th of March, for example, the Pitztal Wild Face Freeride Extreme, during which 150 participants compete in open terrain. Whoever speeds down from the Mittagskogel summit cross at 3,173 metres above sea level to the valley in Mandarfen at 1,663 metres wins the coveted title. Those not quite competition ready can put a few training runs in at the new Ski Touring Park at Pitztal Glacier, where you will find ascent routes in three different levels of difficulty, as well as the corresponding deep snow downhill variants. You can also book a two-hour ski tour course with a beginner’s tour and equipment every Tuesday for Euro 42. Jolly celebrations are also taking place on Easter Monday, the 2nd April, at the 26th Pitztal Snow Festival in the festival marquee at Mandarfen, with lots of live music and a children’s entertainment programme.
Sölden/Ötztal Glacier: from the Electric Mountain Festival to delightful wine tasting at over 3,000 meters above sea level.
Just before the slopes close on the two glaciers in Sölden on 1st May, the alpine hotspot is host to one last fabulous event. The Electric Mountain Festival grand finale takes place on the 5th and 6th April – with live DJ sets by DJ Oliver Heldens, Don Diabolo, Jonas Blue and Bakermat in the huge open-air Funzone on Giggijoch at 2,200 meters. Shortly thereafter, from 9th to 14th April, the world’s best freestylers will be demonstrating their aerial antics at Tiefenbach Glacier, during “The Audi Nines”. A few pleasurable days can be enjoyed from 19th to 22nd April during the traditional “Wine on the Mountain” event. In addition to wine tasting at over 3,000 meters, visitors can set off on tours of discovery with prominent ski guides, or savour the cultural programme and lots of great food. The motto for this year’s “Wine on the Mountain” event is: Austria meets Great Britain. Party on! Is the theme all over again on 28th and 29th April, when we bid farewell to the ski season at the Grand Winter Finale.
Stubai Glacier Full Moon Party at Schneekristall and fabulous events at the Snowpark
Those wanting to play it safe when it comes to snow conditions for springtime skiing can confidently book a holiday in the Stubai, because the lifts are guaranteed to stay open here until 3rd June 2018. You could even book a late spring ski holiday, as the slopes are still in mint condition at this time of the year. Freeriders are equally well catered for. The Dine & Beer gourmet night takes place at Schaufelspitz Restaurant for the second time on 24th February. The Schaufelspitz kitchen was bestowed with two Gault Millau toques and 15 points once again this year, making it the highest two-toque restaurant in the world. A Full Moon Party will be celebrated on 31st March at the Schneekristall Pavillon, whose domed ceiling can be opened up to reveal the celestial skies. There is also much offered to snowboarders and freeskiers during the glacier spring: from 19th March to 7th April, Spring Park will be open with an easy, extended jib-line and medium line, after which it expands into the XXL Spring Park – with an easy, jib, medium and pro line. The Snowpark stays open until 13th May and is host to a number of cool events, barbeque and chill sessions. Austria Freeski Days are new in spring and take place on the 13th February, 25th March and 8th April at Stubai Zoo Snowpark. Here, children and young people can venture their first steps in the Snowpark under the professional guidance of coaches from the Austrian Ski Association.
Hintertux Glacier: from early bird skiing, Open Air and Flower Pow (d)er, to the Välley Rälley snowpark event
The ski season never ends at the Hintertux Glacier, where you can ski 365 days of the year. You can even hit the slopes as early as 7.45 hrs every Wednesday in April (and one Wednesday in March and May): during Early Morning Skiing, participants and their ski guide first enjoy the empty, freshly groomed slopes, before savouring extensive brunch at the Tuxer Ferner Restuarant. Dates: 21st March, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th April and 2nd May.
And that is not all, there are many other parties, events and concerts to enjoy during spring at the Hintertux Glacier. The “Hintertux Glacier Open Air” takes place at Sommerberg on 23rd of March 2018. The popular “Flower Pow(d)er Weeks” are held from 14th April to 6th May, with the option of riding a piste bully, telemark workshops, yoga brunch, ski tests, Recco avalanche training, parties and much more. Välley Rälley on the 28th and 29th April is one of the final highlights of the glacier spring: free coaching sessions and snowboard tests are offered at Betterpark Hintertux, as well as a competition in which everyone is welcome to participate.
Cool spring offers in the glacier hotels
Glacier hotels belonging to the 5 Tirolean Glaciers offer incredibly reasonable overnight packages including a ski pass for springtime skiing. For more information and bookings, please visit: www.tirolergletscher.com