
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 spreads 50 runs across 88.9 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 43%, with 22 beginner runs to find your feet and 8 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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.
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.

Four connected areas, 70 lifts and a World Championship course, yet Saalbach Hinterglemm still runs like a family holiday. Two days on snow and a Worlds Super-G later, here is who it suits, what the Ski ALPIN CARD covers and why Epic Pass holders should pay attention. Big on blues, light on steeps.

Sölden's World Cup opener has been two giant slaloms on the Rettenbach glacier for as long as most fans can remember. From 2027/28 it could be four. Director Jack Falkner wants to add two Super-Gs, backed by a nod from Vincent Kriechmayr, and turn the opening into a full week where the ski world gathers in the Ötztal. FIS and the ÖSV are yet to sign off. This year, it's still just the two GS races on 24 and 25 October.

Hokkaido's lift season now has dates. Sapporo Kokusai opens first on 20 November, Niseko United, Kiroro, Rusutsu and Furano follow on 28 November, and Kamui closes the list on 12 December. Everything hinges on snow, and with a strong El Niño in play, the JMA gives Hokkaido's Japan Sea side a 40% chance of below-normal snowfall. Honshu's Japan Sea coast looks shakier.

Switzerland logged 25.7 million ski days last winter, only 2.3% off the record, in a season that ranked sixth-warmest since records began. Revenue hit CHF 895.8 million, second only to 2024/25. Zermatt led on visits and takings, foreign guests hit a ten-year high, and 12 resorts never opened at all. Snowmaking, late storms and high altitude carried the numbers. Anything sitting at 1,000-1,200 m had a far rougher time.

Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.

Doppelmayr closed its 2025/26 business year with revenue up 9.1 percent to 1.3 billion euros, driven by projects including the Big Sky Explorer Gondola, Deer Valley's Mayflower East Village Gondola, and the first TRI-Line installation at Hoch-Ybrig. Headcount grew too, with the ropeway manufacturer now employing almost 4,000 people worldwide.

Hintertux Glacier is retiring its 40-year-old gondola to the Tuxer Fernerhaus. The replacement carries 10 people per cabin instead of four, with seat heating and nearly 40 percent more hourly capacity. Doppelmayr's new line opens at the end of October 2026, right as the glacier's high-altitude terrain becomes accessible again for the new season.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
10 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
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