
Hochzillertal / Hochfügen
Ski Hochzillertal Hochfügen's 89km of slopes from 560-2,378m. Freeride hotspot with 38 lifts, 58km from Innsbruck, Austria.
Hochzillertal Hochfügen combines two connected ski areas spanning 89km of slopes and 4.5km of ski routes, with terrain stretching from 560m to 2,378m above sea level. These sister resorts joined forces over 20 years ago, creating an expansive winter sports domain accessed from either Kaltenbach in the valley or the elevated hotel village of Hochfügen at 1,500m.
The Hochfügen sector occupies a dramatic high alpine basin surrounded by jagged Zillertal Alps peaks, whilst Hochzillertal delivers varied terrain suitable for all abilities. Recognised in 2024 as a five-star ski resort, the area offers extensive freeride terrain alongside groomed runs, terrain parks, and family facilities including the Zwergerl Club kindergarten for children aged three months to seven years.
Hochzillertal-Hochfügen climbs 1,778 metres from Kaltenbach at 600 metres to 2,378 metres, linking 50 runs and about 89 kilometres of piste across two connected ski areas. Beginners (43%) and intermediates (42%) share most of the terrain almost equally, with 15% advanced and nothing graded expert, so it is friendly rather than demanding. The Hochfügen side sits in a high alpine basin of open, wide slopes, while the Kaltenbach side holds the long descents back to the valley floor.
The valley runs are the highlights: the Kaltenbach run named after former racer Stephan Eberharter, which is floodlit one night a week, a 7-kilometre descent down to Fügen, and a long run to Aschau im Zillertal. Beyond the pistes the area has a strong freeride reputation for its powder, and the Bretterpark in Kaltenbach has a half-pipe for freestylers. It suits families and progressing intermediates best, with off-piste an add-on rather than the main reason to visit, while the weekly night skiing at Kaltenbach adds an evening option.
Hochzillertal Hochfügen operates from December 5 through April 12, providing over four months of reliable skiing conditions. The resort's elevated position reaching 2,500m guarantees excellent snow coverage, with Hochfügen's high plateau particularly renowned for maintaining quality conditions when lower-altitude resorts struggle.
The extended season often delivers superb spring skiing well into April, with the high alpine bowl of Hochfügen preserving untouched powder slopes for weeks after storms. The spectacular mountain panorama proves especially rewarding during clear weather, when the crown of surrounding peaks creates an impressive backdrop for all-day skiing on sun-drenched slopes. January and February typically offer peak conditions, though the resort's substantial snowfall and elevation ensure consistent quality throughout winter.
Daily snow reports at Hochzillertal / Hochfügen go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
Situated in the Zillertal valley of Tyrol, Austria, Hochzillertal Hochfügen sits approximately 58km from Innsbruck, 135km from Salzburg, and 181km from Munich. The resort benefits from excellent transport links, with Kaltenbach railway station on the Zillertal Railway line located just 500m from the main cable car, offering connections to Jenbach where trains run to both Innsbruck and Salzburg.
The Zillertal valley extends roughly 40km from Innsbruck towards the towering Tux Alps, creating one of Tyrol's most active winter sports regions. Multiple villages service the resort, including Kaltenbach, Hochfügen, Stumm, Ried im Zillertal, and Fügen, each offering authentic Tyrolean accommodation and dining experiences.
Free ski buses operate throughout the region, connecting accommodations with lift systems and providing convenient access across the broader Zillertal valley.
Hotels and lodges near Hochzillertal / Hochfügen, powered by Stay22.

The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.

A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.

Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.

Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.

Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.

Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.

Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.

Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 5, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Hochzillertal / Hochfügen typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Nov 4, 2026.
Day passes start from €37, with peak rates up to €83.
Ski Optimal day pass from 07:30 for Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen and the Spieljochbahn in Fuegen, around 90 km of slopes. Born 2007 or earlier; standard price without a guest card.
Buy passSki Optimal day pass from 07:30 at EUR 1 less for adults holding a Zillertal guest card. Valid for Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen and Spieljoch.
Buy passSki Optimal day pass for youth born 2008-2011 at Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen and Spieljoch. Photo ID required for youth and child rates (youth born 2008-2011, child born 2012-2020).
Buy passSki Optimal day pass for children born 2012-2020, with the Zwergerl Club and family terrain at Hochzillertal. 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 Hochzillertal when accompanied by a paying adult (ID required); no ticket needed.
Buy passAdult Ski Optimal pass valid from 10:50 (EUR 75 with guest card). Youth EUR 60, child EUR 34.
Buy passAdult Ski Optimal pass valid from 11:50 (EUR 63 with guest card). Youth EUR 50.50, child EUR 28.50.
Buy passAdult Ski Optimal pass valid from 12:50 (EUR 53.50 with guest card). Youth EUR 43, child EUR 24.
Buy passAdult afternoon Ski Optimal pass valid from 13:50 (EUR 41 with guest card). Youth EUR 33, child EUR 18.50.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass: valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027 on all lifts of Mayrhofen, Zillertal Arena, Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen-Spieljoch and Hintertux Glacier. Adult 2-day price; Ski Optimal day passes are single-day only.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass: valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027 on all lifts of Mayrhofen, Zillertal Arena, Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen-Spieljoch and Hintertux Glacier. Adult 3-day price.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass: valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027 on all lifts of Mayrhofen, Zillertal Arena, Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen-Spieljoch and Hintertux Glacier. Adult 6-day price (about EUR 66.50 per day).
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass: valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027 on all lifts of Mayrhofen, Zillertal Arena, Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen-Spieljoch and Hintertux Glacier. Youth (born 2008-2011) 6-day price, ID required.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass: valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027 on all lifts of Mayrhofen, Zillertal Arena, Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen-Spieljoch and Hintertux Glacier. Child (born 2012-2020) 6-day price, ID required.
Buy passSki Optimal season pass for Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen and Spieljoch (winter 2026/27), valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Family discounts available on request.
Buy passSki Optimal season pass for Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen and Spieljoch (winter 2026/27), valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Family discounts available on request. Youth born 2008-2011, ID required.
Buy passSki Optimal season pass for Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen and Spieljoch (winter 2026/27), valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Family discounts available on request. Child born 2012-2020, ID required.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass season pass for the whole Zillertal including Hintertux Glacier, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass season pass for the whole Zillertal including Hintertux Glacier, valid 4 Dec 2026 - 11 Apr 2027. Youth born 2008-2011, ID required.
Buy passZillertaler Superskipass season pass for the whole Zillertal including Hintertux Glacier, 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 Hochzillertal-Hochfugen, 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 Hochzillertal-Hochfugen, 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 Hochzillertal-Hochfugen, 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.
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