Winter Sports on Austria's Glaciers
High-Alpine Skiing Fun

What an amazing mountain panorama and natural wonder! Winter sports on Austria's glaciers - like skiing or cross-country-skiing - are a special experience.

Snow and ice - away from the bustle

Mölltal Glacier in Carinthia

Carinthia's unique glacier ski area is the Mölltal Glacier. Winter sports enthusiasts rejoice at the guaranteed snow up to an altitude of 3,122 m (10.242 ft) and appreciate the first-class prepared pistes. Powder snow, a fantastic panorama, and the Glacier Express are tantalising ingredients of the Mölltal Glacier that give you that winter feeling in Austria.

The glacier ski area offers slopes of all levels of difficulty and is perfect for a winter holiday away from the hustle and bustle. The short waiting times and the free ski bus in Flattach make the Mölltal Glacier a family-friendly winter sports region.

Snow reliability with a cool factor

Kitzsteinhorn in SalzburgerLand

Wide glacial slopes with natural snow, varied routes for freeriders, three snow parks, and Austria’s largest super-pipe for freestylers - the Kitzsteinhorn offers an unequalled range of winter sports opportunities.

Plus, there’s unforgettable experiences at Gipfelwelt 3000, highly enjoyable moments at the stylish ICE CAMP presented by Audi, and lots of varied events. From early autumn to late spring, Austria’s first glacier resort offers wintery freedom at altitudes of 3,000 m (9,843 ft).

Perspectives of high alpine winter

Dachstein Glacier in Styria

What an amazing cable car ride! It spans over 1,000 unsupported vertical metres (3,281 ft) with the impressive Dachstein South Faces as a backdrop, and in just a few minutes, you'll reach the Dachstein Glacier at an altitude of 2,700 m (8,858 ft).

Active glacier enthusiasts can plan their adventures with climbing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and ski touring. For those who prefer to take it easy and enjoy the view, there are attractions like the famous Stairway to Nothingness, the Dachstein Sky Walk, the Dachstein Ice Palace, and Austria’s highest suspension bridge. By the way, the Hunerkogel mountain station is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Eastern Alps. Inside the Dachstein Glacier, the Ice Palace reveals a fascinating world of ice.

Ski- & Glacier World Zillertal 3000

Hintertux Glacier in Tirol

„The snow must go on!" True to this motto, the Hintertux Glacier offers over 60 km (37 miles) of guaranteed natural snow runs for all levels of difficulty: the selection ranges from powder and spring snow slopes to challenging mogul runs – winter sports at altitudes of up to 3,250 m (10,663 feet).

Snowboarders love the wide slopes, the spectacular altitude, the legendary après-ski, and the fun slope. The kids' slope in the beginner area at Sommerbergalm promises exciting fun for the little ones with snow tunnels, steep turns, and wave tracks. And the Nature Ice Palace fascinates with huge icicles and bizarre ice formations – a glittering natural spectacle.

FAQ

With a length of around 8 km (4.9 mi), the Pasterze is the largest glacier in Austria and also the longest in the Eastern Alps. It lies at the foot of the Großglockner in the highest part of the Carinthian Mölltal valley - known as the Pasterzenboden - and is the source of the Möll River.

There are around 800 glaciers in Austria. 8 glacier ski areas are perfectly developed for winter sports:

  • Mölltal Glacier

  • Kitzsteinhorn

  • Dachstein Glacier

  • Hintertux Glacier

  • Stubai Glacier

  • Sölden glacier ski area

  • Kaunertal Glacier

  • Pitztal Glacier

Family fun and professional feeling

Stubai Glacier in Tirol

Austria's largest glacier ski area offers 35 runs for all skill levels: From easy, wide slopes to challenging mogul runs and difficult ski routes. The snowboard fun park, race track, speed measurement track, skating trail, and ice climbing tower complete the exciting winter sports offerings. Another highlight is the Top of Tyrol platform at 3,200 m (10,499 ft), which extends 6 m (20 ft) over the abyss. The magnificent panoramic view spans the entire Tirolean Alpine landscape.

For a break, you can head to a cosy snack bar or the "floating" restaurant – there are plenty of dining options available.

High up - deep down

Glacier ski area Sölden in Ötztal in Tirol

The ski area at Rettenbach and Tiefenbach Glaciers features three peaks over 3,000 m (9,843 ft), accessible with modern cable cars. The glacier ski area offers over 34 km (21 mi) of slopes, connected by a spectacular ski tunnel.

The Tiefenbach Glacier ski area has slopes for all levels and gentler terrain, making it ideal for beginners. The nearby Rettenbach Glacier impresses experienced skiers with its varied conditions. There are restaurants, an event pavilion, a snow bar, and a ski and snowboard school. By the way, the Sölden Glacier World is home to the European test centre for the winter sports industry.

Well prepared for a day on the glacier

Check the weather forecast!

The conditions change from day to day. It's best to find out about snowfall, temperature and wind strength before your glacier day.

Get information directly from the glacier ski area!

On the websites of the glacier ski areas, you will find important information on open lifts, snow depth, piste conditions, public transport and events.

Don't forget the sun screen!

The sun's rays are particularly intense on the mountain and the snow reflects the sunlight. Therefore, never go on the glacier slopes without sun screen and sunglasses!

Barrier-free in the Alps

Kaunertal Glacier in Tirol

The Kaunertal Glacier offers 55 km (34 mi) of slopes for all levels of difficulty, accessible via the Kaunertal Glacier Road. The ski area reaches alpine heights of up to 3,100 m (10,171 ft). In addition to skiers and training teams, freeriders will find excellent glacier conditions, including the snow park with the longest half-mile jib line in the Alps.

The glacier area is also fully accessible to everyone! The region has received awards for its inclusivity. All access points are barrier-free, and special courses for wheelchair users with mono-ski sledges are available.

Panorama from the roof of Tirol

Pitztal Glacier

Feel on top of the world on Pitztal Glacier, Tirol's highest glacier. With guaranteed snow from early December to late April, nothing is stopping you from tackling all 41 km (25 mi) of groomed runs.

Round off your day by taking the Wildspitzbahn cable car to 3,440 m (11,286 ft), where you can kick back on the panorama terrace of Austria's highest café, Café 3.440, which comes with a free-floating terrace and panoramic glass front. The view of the surrounding glacier world with around 50 three-thousand-metre peaks is gigantic.

Fascination Glacier

Why do some glaciers appear blue?

Some glaciers appear blue because ice, like water, absorbs red light waves more strongly and reflects blue ones. The purer the ice and the fewer air bubbles it contains, the more pronounced the blue shimmer. Air bubbles in the ice - as in many Alpine glaciers - scatter the light and make the ice appear white because they direct the light in all directions.

How is a glacier formed?

It is snowing. Slowly, the flakes of light crystals condense into small balls of ice. New snow falls and buries this granular snow. The hard layer under the new snow is compressed into dense ice. Over a long period of time, several layers now form on top of each other. The sun thaws the snow crystals again and again and they freeze again. Over the years, these layers of firn melt together to form a huge mass of solid ice. A glacier is born.

Tip for climate protection

How can we reconcile climate protection and winter holidays?
  • Book environmentally certified hotels

  • Spend your winter holiday on an organic farm

  • Plan your journey by train

  • Use sustainable mobility in the ski resort

  • Hire ski equipment (with eco standards)

  • Enjoy regional, seasonal and organic food

  • Try out slow winter activities