
Hintertux Glacier
Ski 365 days on Hintertux Glacier. 62km of pistes, 1,750m vertical drop, summit at 3,250m in the Austrian Tyrol.
Austria's only year-round ski area spans 62 kilometres of piste between the valley station at 1,500 metres and the summit at 3,250 metres, delivering a vertical drop of 1,750 metres across terrain suitable for all abilities. The glacier maintains 62 kilometres of winter pistes - 17.2 kilometres blue, 35.1 kilometres red, and 11.7 kilometres black - across approximately 233 hectares of skiable terrain. Snow reliability is exceptional; the ADAC has rated the resort "especially snow secure" due to its high-altitude glaciers and north-facing aspect. The Hintertux Glacier is one of only two ski resorts globally offering year-round skiing, alongside Zermatt in Switzerland.
Terrain splits across two distinct glacier zones - the Gefrorene-Wand-Kees and the Riepenkees - connected via the mid-mountain hub at Sommerbergalm. Intermediate skiers dominate proceedings, with 55% of terrain graded red, while the 12-kilometre Schwarze Pfanne valley descent from Gefrorene Wand ranks as the Zillertal's longest run. The Lärmstange sector draws powder seekers to its north-facing freeride terrain, whilst the Betterpark at 3,200 metres operates as Austria's highest freestyle area. Beginners find dedicated learning terrain at Sommerbergalm including the Flohpark nursery zone and the Funslope feature run.
The mountain atmosphere combines serious altitude with accessible facilities centred around the Tuxer Fernerhaus at 2,660 metres, a substantial complex housing restaurants, lockers, and equipment storage. Crowds remain manageable outside peak periods due to the extended operating season spreading demand across months rather than weeks. The valley village of Hintertux is compact - just two distinct areas roughly one kilometre apart - with ski-in/ski-out hotels positioned directly at the base station. Après-ski concentrates at the Hohenhaus Tenne bar adjacent to the valley station, while additional nightlife extends to the nearby villages of Tux and Lanersbach.
The Zillertal Superskipass connects Hintertux to 542 kilometres of terrain across the entire valley, including Mayrhofen, Hochzillertal, and Zillertal Arena, accessible with passes of two days or more. Winter operations integrate with Ski- und Gletscherwelt Zillertal 3000, combining Hintertux with Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, and Penken for 202 kilometres on a single pass. The glacier circuit challenge offers ambitious skiers 15,000 vertical metres and 60 kilometres in a single day across this linked terrain. The resort suits committed intermediates seeking guaranteed snow, freestyle athletes requiring year-round training facilities, and families wanting reliable conditions without extreme resort prices.
With 1,750 metres of vertical between the valley station at 1,500 metres and the 3,250-metre summit, Hintertux skis more like a big mountain than its 32 runs suggest. Reds dominate at 55%, beginners take 26%, and the 15% advanced and 4% expert share is meaningful for a glacier. The pistes sit in two glacier zones: the wide, smooth blues of Sommerbergalm form the easy mid-mountain base, while the reds and blacks around Tuxer Fernerhaus and Gefrorene Wand sit above it across 62 kilometres of piste.
The black mogul run from Gefrorene Wand to Tuxer Fernerhaus is the test piece, with Olperer 1 offering a second steep, sustained descent for confident skiers. At the other end of the scale, the Schwarze Pfanne valley run covers roughly 12 kilometres from Gefrorene Wand down to the village and is the longest descent in the Zillertal, a good way to use the full vertical. North-facing glacier slopes keep snow quality high, and the Lärmstange sector draws powder seekers to its freeride terrain once fresh snow has settled.
Operating dates for the 2025-2026 season run from 14 September 2025 through to 13 September 2026, making this one of the world's longest continuous ski seasons. The glacier has offered year-round skiing since 1968, when the Gefrorene Wand chairlift became the world's first with towers built on glacier ice. Winter terrain expands significantly from early December when lower slopes open, connecting to the wider Zillertal 3000 network through late April. Summer operations continue on approximately 18-20 kilometres of terrain above 2,500 metres, served by up to 10-12 lifts, with the longest summer run measuring 2 kilometres ending at Tuxer Fernerhaus.
Annual snowfall averages approximately 388 centimetres according to historical records, with the snowiest period typically occurring in the second week of January when an average of 37 centimetres falls across 3.4 snow days. Glacier elevations above 3,000 metres maintain freezing temperatures and persistent snow year-round, whilst the ice itself reaches depths of up to 120 metres. Snowmaking infrastructure covers the 12-kilometre Schwarze Pfanne valley descent, ensuring the full run to Hintertux village remains skiable throughout the main winter season. Base depths during peak season typically hold between 3-4 metres on the upper glacier.
January and February deliver the most consistent powder conditions combined with cold temperatures that preserve snow quality across both glaciers. Spring skiing from March through May offers exceptional corn snow on south-facing aspects and longer daylight hours at altitude. The quietest periods fall in early December before European school holidays and again in late January between Christmas crowds and February half-terms. Autumn skiing from late September through November attracts racing teams and freestyle athletes seeking early-season training on fresh glacier snow.
The Hintertux Park Opening, held annually on the first weekend of October, marks Europe's first snowpark event of the season and has run for over 21 years. This weekend attracts international freestyle athletes to Betterpark Hintertux for sessions, contests, and equipment testing at 3,200 metres. The Betterpark operates from April through early December, including a halfpipe when conditions permit. Early Morning Skiing sessions allow keen skiers first tracks on freshly groomed glacier pistes before standard opening hours.
Daily snow reports at Hintertux Glacier go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
The resort occupies the head of the Tuxertal, a side valley branching south from the main Zillertal at Mayrhofen in the Tyrol region of western Austria. The valley station sits at 1,500 metres elevation in the small village of Hintertux, where steep mountainsides rise immediately from the road's end like a Alpine cul-de-sac. The glacier complex comprises two ice fields - the Gefrorene-Wand-Kees and Riepenkees - extending beneath the 3,476-metre Olperer peak. The surrounding landscape transitions from forested lower slopes to barren rock above the treeline, with the glacier ice reaching thicknesses of 120 metres and containing approximately 190 million cubic metres of ice.
Mayrhofen, the valley's principal town, lies 20 kilometres northwest and provides the main commercial centre with supermarkets, equipment shops, and a wider accommodation selection. The smaller villages of Tux (7 kilometres), Lanersbach, Juns, and Madseit string along the valley road, connected by free ski buses during winter. Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital, sits 87 kilometres northwest, whilst Salzburg lies 190 kilometres to the northeast. The Zillertal has a long skiing history, with traditional Tyrolean architecture and mountain farming culture preserved throughout the valley communities.
Road access follows the A12 Inntal motorway to the Wiesing/Achensee/Zillertal exit, then the B169 Zillertalstraße through the valley to Mayrhofen, where the L6 branches into the Tuxertal. Total driving time from Innsbruck measures under 1.5 hours, whilst the journey from Munich takes approximately 2.5 hours covering 215 kilometres. Free parking and an underground garage serve the valley station, with free shuttle buses connecting the village of Hintertux. The road terminates at the lift base, with no through route - all traffic either parks or turns around.
Innsbruck Airport provides the closest air link at 92 kilometres, offering frequent European and UK connections with transfer times around 90 minutes. Munich Airport lies 215 kilometres north with extensive international services and transfer times of approximately 2.5 hours by private vehicle. Salzburg Airport sits 190 kilometres northeast as a third option. Rail travellers take intercity trains to Jenbach, then transfer to the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn for the scenic 50-minute journey to Mayrhofen, where the 4104 bus continues to Hintertux hourly - local buses run free for ski pass holders during winter.
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Hintertux Glacier is currently open for the 2026 - 2027 season through July 18, 2027. Lift tickets are available for daily and multi-day visits.
Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Nov 4, 2026.
Day passes start from €37, with peak rates up to €82.
Full-day pass from 08:00 for Hintertux Glacier, Austria's year-round glacier ski area up to 3,250 m. Hintertux Glacier day passes are also valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027 in Ski- & Glacier World Zillertal 3000 (Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken, Ahorn). Born 2007 or earlier; no refund option on day passes.
Buy passHintertux Glacier full-day pass for youth born 2008-2011, also valid in Zillertal 3000 from 4 Dec. Photo ID required for youth and child rates (youth born 2008-2011, child born 2012-2020).
Buy passHintertux Glacier full-day pass for children born 2012-2020, also valid in Zillertal 3000 from 4 Dec. Photo ID required for youth and child rates (youth born 2008-2011, child born 2012-2020).
Buy passChildren born 2021 or later ski free at Hintertux Glacier when accompanied by an adult (ID required).
Buy passAdult pass valid from 11:00 at Hintertux Glacier. Youth EUR 59.50, child EUR 33.50.
Buy passAdult pass valid from 11:45 at Hintertux Glacier. Youth EUR 49.50, child EUR 28.
Buy passAdult afternoon pass valid from 14:00 at Hintertux Glacier. Youth EUR 33, child EUR 18.50.
Buy passAdult 1.5-day pass starting 11:45 on the first day at Hintertux Glacier. Youth EUR 98.50, child EUR 55.50.
Buy passMulti-day pass valid at Hintertux Glacier from 17 Oct 2026 and in all Zillertal ski areas from 4 Dec 2026 to 11 Apr 2027. Adult 2-day price.
Buy passMulti-day pass valid at Hintertux Glacier from 17 Oct 2026 and in all Zillertal ski areas from 4 Dec 2026 to 11 Apr 2027. Adult 3-day price.
Buy passMulti-day pass valid at Hintertux Glacier from 17 Oct 2026 and in all Zillertal ski areas from 4 Dec 2026 to 11 Apr 2027. Adult 6-day price.
Buy passYouth (born 2008-2011) 6-day Superskipass, valid at Hintertux Glacier and across the Zillertal from 4 Dec 2026. ID required.
Buy passChild (born 2012-2020) 6-day Superskipass, valid at Hintertux Glacier and across the Zillertal from 4 Dec 2026. ID required.
Buy passZillertal 3000 season pass for Hintertux Glacier, Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken and Ahorn, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027.
Buy passZillertal 3000 season pass for Hintertux Glacier, Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken and Ahorn, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Youth born 2008-2011, ID required.
Buy passZillertal 3000 season pass for Hintertux Glacier, Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken and Ahorn, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Child born 2012-2020, ID required.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass season pass for the whole Zillertal, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass season pass for the whole Zillertal, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Youth born 2008-2011, ID required.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass season pass for the whole Zillertal, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Child born 2012-2020, ID required.
Buy passSnow Card Tirol season pass, valid in over 90 Tyrolean ski areas including Hintertux Glacier, 1 Oct 2026 - 15 May 2027. Standard rate from 1 Nov 2026 (advance-sale rate ended 31 Oct). Adults born 2007 or earlier.
Buy passSnow Card Tirol season pass, valid in over 90 Tyrolean ski areas including Hintertux Glacier, 1 Oct 2026 - 15 May 2027. Standard rate from 1 Nov 2026 (advance-sale rate ended 31 Oct). Youth born 2008-2010.
Buy passSnow Card Tirol season pass, valid in over 90 Tyrolean ski areas including Hintertux Glacier, 1 Oct 2026 - 15 May 2027. Standard rate from 1 Nov 2026 (advance-sale rate ended 31 Oct). Children born 2011-2020; children born 2021 or later ride free.
Buy passMore Hintertux Glacier intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.