Hintertux Facts
LOCAL AREA: Hintertux
CONNECTED AREA: Hintertux Glacier combines with the skiing mountains Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken/Mayrhofen and Ahorn to form the snow-sure Ski- & Glacier World Zillertal 3000.
SEASON START & END: 365 days of snow fun
SKI ALTITUDE IN METRES: 1500-3250 m / Vertical Drop 1750 m
PISTES: 24% Beginner / 72% Intermediate / 5% Expert
LOCAL RESORT: 62 km of pistes, 270 ha (14 km Blue / 35 km Red / 11 km Black)
Connected Area: 204 km of pistes, 615 ha
LIFTS: Total 86 / Local Resort: 21 (Cable cars 3 / Gondola 3 / Chair lift 6 / Drag Lifts 9)
CONNECTED AREA: 65
SNOW: Around 260 snow canons
LIFT TICKET ADULT 2023/24: 72.50 Euros – 1 day / 349 Euros – 6 days
Adult Connected Area: 65 Euros – 1 day / 315 Euros – 6 days
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: 113 km of trails
LANGUAGE: German
AIRPORTS: Innsbruck 85 km / Salzburg 180 km / München 205 km / Zürich 360 km
TRAIN: Nearest station is Mayrhofen train station
Take the high-speed train heading to Innsbruck and get off the train in Jenbach, where you change to the Zillertalbahn train or the train station shuttle.
Hintertux Ski Facts
-There are 13 piste preparation machines in operation daily to prepare up to 60 km of pistes.
-The pistes are open for 365 days of the year.
-The Hintertux Gletscher mascot is a blue Flee called Luis, after the flea that was found in the Glacier!
The Town of Hintertux
The town of Hintertux at 1500 metres is the last town at the very end of the Tux Valley which branches off from the Zillertal Valley at Mayrhofen. The road winds its way through various villages and hamlets until it reaches the very last bit of civilisation before steep mountainsides rise up like a Norwegian fjord. The town of Hintertux is pretty small, and spread between two areas about 1km apart, however, due to its fame and the glacier it is a lively little place.
We stayed at the lovely 4-star hotel Neuhintertux, traditional with modern rooms, a large bathroom set up for wheelchair access, great cuisine and apparently Ed Sheeran stayed here whilst filming the video with a kitten for his song “Perfect”; I hope they gave the kitten the ‘Cosy Suite’. The hotel could not be in a better position, being only a 1-minute walk from the ski lifts.
The Hohenhaus Tenne is where all the Apres Ski takes place, a cosy yet large establishment with a classic Austrian atmosphere and music, the kind of place you will go for one drink and roll out three hours later, having polished off about 10 drinks each. The valley is north-facing, but as I always say that means the snow will be good.
Skiing in Hintertux
With a fast accent out of the valley via the cable car or gondola, you are very quickly out of the valley as you arrive at 2100m. From here there are three choices, the Ramsmoos drag with its blue piste, great for learners or practice drills, the Tuxerjoch chair with various blue, red and black pistes including the red piste back down to the valley and then there is the next cable car or gondola both taking you to 2660 metres. Now we are entering high-altitude alpine terrain. With the next ski lifts travelling up to the likes of 3250m, this is some of the highest skiing in the Alps!
This is where the Hintertux Glacier resides. Glacier skiing is usually always fun because their shape lends to long wide constant pitch pistes, just perfect for getting your mojo and finding that rhythm. There is a reason that this glacier is used by so many professionals for their training, other than that it is open for 365 days a year. The views from the Hintertux glacier are wonderful and there is a good selection of areas for the skiers to spread themselves across the mountain.
The main lift station up at 2660 m is a modern large complex with a selection of restaurants with lots of space like the Tuxer Fernerhaus and the Wirtshaus am Tuxer Ferner, there is also lots of lockers and big bathrooms.
BEGINNER
The Flohpark nursery pistes in the village are a great place to start children and compiler beginners. The next step is the blue Piste number 15 off the Ramsmoos drag, but beware it is high up the mountain. A natural progression is then available with pistes 17 & 16 but beware they are quite long. Once beginners get their ski legs, there are a variety of blue pistes up the top of the mountain but do use the map to avoid the red and black pistes. Note that you will have to take the lift all the way back down because the pistes are long and red.
INTERMEDIATE
This is the stuff that dreams are made of. Perfect snow conditions, lovely long sweeping pistes, and phenomenal views. Come here and perfect your turns or join one of the many courses and training groups. There seem to be all types of pistes for whatever technique you are working on; or if you want to simply ski without engaging the brain, then you will be in your element.
EXPERT
There are a handful of black pistes dotted around the mountain, whilst not some of the longest, they should certainly keep you satisfied.
OFF PISTE / FREERIDE
The mountain is dotted with itinerary routes from about 2660 down to the valley. But be aware this is glacial terrain so it can offer more dangers than just avalanches. As usual, our advice is to employ the services of a local guide to open up the delights of Hintertux off-piste.
GLACIER CAVE
One place that you must visit is the Natur Eis Palast or The Nature Ice Palace, this is one of the most amazing experiences. At the very top of the resort is the meeting place where your guide will take you to the entrance, make sure to wear warm and sturdy footwear and warm clothing too. Due to permafrost in the ground, this glacier is one of the rare examples of a glacier that does not move, it is literally stuck to the ground! Only discovered in 2007 by Roman Erler this cave is extraordinary; there are various types of tours, but we suggest including the boat ride, a truly surreal experience.
Ecology and Sustainability Facts:
-On the 50th anniversary, a new era begins for the Tux sports buses – from January 2023, four emission-free MAN E-buses will be used for passenger transport all year round at the foot of the Hintertux Glacier in the Tux-Finkenberg region.
-8 charging points are available next to the new parking garage “Aue” in Hintertux
Hintertux Gletscher
Hintertux 794
6293 Tux
Images copyright of ©Hintertuxer Gletscher
