Over the weekend we were on the Pitztal Glacier, the highest skiing in Austria with a top station of 3440m. Pitztal Glacier is one of the five Tirolean glaciers that are open for business right now. Located directly south of Imst, the Pitz Valley heads further south and ends at Mandarfen, a few hundred metres from the Pitztal Glacier funicular. For those familiar with the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers above Solden then the Pitztal Glacier is located just west and is easily visible from the Tiefenbach glacier viewing bridge.
Skiing and snowboarding on the Pitztal Glacier
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The highest skiing in Austria is on offer on the Pitztal Glacier whilst it also has some of the steepest glacier sections in Austria – race teams were busy on the glacier over the weekend preparing for the coming season. 2 recently developed gondolas take skiers and snowboarders up to the best terrain on the glacier and at this height the snow conditions can be fantastic. Aside from the steeper sections heading down from the Wildspitzbahn, most of the terrain is wide and pretty gentle and ideal for beginners and intermediates. The resort of Mandarfen down in the valley offers access to both the Pitztal Glacier as well as the Rifflsee which is an alternative non-glacier ski area that also offers intermediate skiing as well as some off-piste.
Café 3440
The top station of the Wildspitzbahn at 3440m was completely redeveloped and opened last winter – the lift complex now features a bar with sensational views across the Wildspitze and neighbouring peaks. Café 3440 is officially the highest bar in Austria and it is hard to argue that it also has the best views.
More information on the Pitztal Glacier http://www.skiingaustria.co.uk/pitztal-glacier.html
Author Profile: Matt Brown is a director of Skiing Austria. The company has an office in Innsbruck, staff ski the Austrian Alps from September through to June and arrange group ski trips to all Austrian resorts. Skiing Austria can be reached through info@skiingaustria.co.uk
