Perfect Powder Day at Hintertux Glacier: Austria's Year-Round Ski Haven

Fresh Powder on Austria's Year-Round Ski Slopes

After a night of heavy snowfall, I headed to the legendary Hintertux Glacier – a bucket-list resort I'd been dreaming of visiting for years. What makes Hintertux special is its remarkable year-round operation (conditions permitting) and its remote location tucked deep in an Austrian valley, far from the typical resort experience.

The 45-minute drive from Stumm to Hintertux revealed perfect conditions: bluebird skies, sunshine breaking through scattered clouds, and a fresh blanket of snow. The elevation difference between Stumm and the Hintertux base (about 1,000 metres) suggested the snowfall in the valley towns would translate to exceptional conditions at the glacier's summit.

As you travel past Mayrhofen, the road climbs steadily through several small towns with gondolas rising from these charming Austrian villages – remnants of what were once separate ski areas before they united under the Mayrhofen umbrella.

Arriving at Hintertux

Pulling into the base area, I knew immediately this would be a special day. The timing couldn't have been better – sunny conditions, 30-40cm of fresh snow, and a bucket-list resort all came together perfectly. After collecting my ski pass, I studied the trail map before boarding the Glacier Bus.

The Glacier Bus Journey

One of Hintertux's unique features is its three-stage Glacier Bus system that carries skiers and riders from the base to the summit. The complete journey covers an impressive 1,750 metres of vertical elevation – a remarkable ascent.

I decided to head straight to the top, planning to explore the upper mountain before gradually working my way down. The first gondola climbs to 2,100 metres, the central hub with lifts radiating in all directions. Without delay, I continued to Glacier Bus Two, ascending to 2,660 metres where restaurants and shops await those needing refreshments or equipment.

Still determined to reach the summit, I boarded Glacier Bus Three and within about 30-40 minutes from arrival, stood at 3,250 metres. There's something magical about the mountain environment at this elevation, with glaciers hidden beneath the snow. From this vantage point, you can see into Italy, Switzerland and Germany – a truly special location with pristine air.

First Powder Runs

Bypassing the viewing platform, I immediately sought fresh snow, heading toward the Olperer T-bar and Gefrorene Wand T-bars. While the trail map suggests limited terrain at this elevation, the reality is vastly different. The piste edges remained completely untouched, offering fantastic opportunities for fresh turns with excellent vertical pitch and numerous intermediate runs.

My first run took me down to the Gefrorene Wand T-bar, which I rode back up for my inaugural powder run. The terrain between and beside the T-bars was pristine – completely untouched, a powder paradise. Surprisingly, I had it all to myself, as most European skiers and riders tend to stay on-piste. This pattern of untouched snow between runs is common at European resorts, where "off-piste" truly means off-piste, even within resort boundaries.

Exploring the Mountain

After several laps, I returned to the summit via Glacier Bus Three to visit the viewing platform, capture some videos, and then head to the Olperer T-bars on the opposite side. From atop Gefrorene Wand, you face the Olperer peak – Hintertux's highest point at 3,476 metres, dominating the landscape. Two T-bars carry skiers and riders to 3,200 metres, where a terrain park hosts competitions throughout the year.

Following a few more fresh runs, I descended on piste 11A to the Lärmstange lift, a hooded chair that returns to 3,220 metres. From there, I could access some technical gullies with fresh snow before making my way to the mid-station for a morning break.

The view as you reach the summit at Hintertux Glacier. Credit: SnowStash

The Canyon and Freeride Terrain

After exploring the Gefrorene side, I headed to Kaserer II and Kaserer I T-bars, which serve beginner and intermediate terrain. By taking piste 13 along the canyon's far edge, I accessed the resort's freeride terrain – a massive canyon descending beneath Lärmstange with towering peaks on both sides.

This section, now more accessible thanks to a new lift, offered a powder paradise of untouched snow despite a few previous tracks. After enjoying the fresh powder, I rode the new Lärmstange One lift back to mid-mountain, connecting to piste 3 and returning to the Tuxer Fernerhaus base at 2,660 metres – effectively the glacier base area.

Summit Return and Fresh Lines

A quick ride on Glacier Bus Three returned me to the summit. From there, I descended piste 8A to the T-bar, rode up, and then enjoyed smooth, leisurely turns back to Tuxer Fernerhaus. Even at 2:30 pm, fresh turns were still available along piste edges, largely untouched by other skiers and riders.

I continued downward into the freeride terrain again via piste 2, eventually returning to the Lärmstange lift. During this descent, I noticed a large avalanche debris field and carefully navigated to safety. From the chairlift, I could see the slide's full extent and several tracks leading into it.

I later learned someone had tragically died that day in an avalanche at Hintertux, though importantly, this occurred outside resort boundaries in true off-piste terrain – a sobering reminder of backcountry hazards.

The Epic Top-to-Bottom Run

From Lärmstange's summit, I took piste 3 to Glacier Bus Three for my final journey of the day – the nearly top-to-bottom run available at Hintertux. While not a complete summit-to-base descent, the route spans from 3,250 metres to about 2,000 metres – approximately 1,250 metres of vertical. This lengthy run combines intermediate, beginner and optional advanced terrain, culminating in enjoyable afternoon moguls.

At the lower terminal, I boarded the six-person Sommerberg chairlift, a connector necessitated by the glacier's topography. This lift returns skiers and riders to Sommerbergalm at 2,000 metres. Since piste 1A to the village was closed, I rode the Tuxerjoch quad from 2,100 metres to 2,460 metres.

From there, piste 17 (primarily a beginner run with one steep section) leads to the Tuxerjoch house, where piste 1 curves behind this section of the resort. The route winds through a massive canyon, then gradually descends through mountains and forest all the way to Hintertux village at 1,500 metres.

This 1,750-metre descent from 3,250 metres to 1,500 metres isn't continuous due to the required Sommerberg and Tuxerjoch lifts, but provides an outstanding skiing experience nonetheless.

Perfect Ending

Back in Hintertux village, I celebrated with a quick Aperol, admiring the resort base. While only portions of the resort are visible from the village – most remains hidden until you ascend the lifts. After capturing some drone footage by the river, I began the scenic drive back to Stumm.

My first day at Hintertux exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the Hintertux Glacier team for the two-day lift ticket – tomorrow I'll explore the resort on skis rather than a snowboard, even without fresh snowfall in the forecast.