Ruqayyah Snyder
Hintertux is a ski resort in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is one of only two ski resorts in the world offering skiing 365 days a year. The Hintertux Glacier, which is the tourist name for the glaciers of the Gefrorene-Wand-Kees and the nearby Riepenkees, is located at the top of the Tuxertal, a side valley of the Zillertal. The Hintertux Glacier is accessible by gondola and chair lifts and offers a range of winter sports facilities, including skiing, snowboarding, and freeride runs. The region is also suitable for summer activities such as hiking and mountaineering, with several Alpine huts available for visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Hintertux, Tyrol, Austria |
| Activities | Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountaineering |
| Height | 3,250 m (10,660 ft) |
| Ice thickness | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Length | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Ski Resort | Hintertux Glacier Ski Resort |
| Glaciers | Gefrorene-Wand-Kees, Tuxer Ferner, Riepenkees |
| Access | Gondola and chair lifts |
| Hotels | Mountain Resort M&M, Hotel Garni Forelle, Rindererhof, Lexner Hotel |
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What You'll Learn
Hintertux Glacier
The Hintertux Glacier is a year-round destination, offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer. It is one of only two ski resorts in the world, along with Zermatt in Switzerland, that provide skiing 365 days a year. The ski region has its own ski school and boasts well-groomed slopes, ensuring a unique skiing experience. In addition to the winter sports facilities, the glacier offers breathtaking views of the Alps and is suitable for mountaineering adventures.
The Hintertux Glacier is characterised by its vast ice sheet, which is up to 120 metres thick and has a length of approximately 4 kilometres. The total amount of ice on the glacier is estimated to be 190 million cubic metres, equivalent to 171 billion litres of frozen water. Due to the dynamic nature of the glacier, the lift facilities require adjustments up to three times a year to accommodate for glacial movement.
The glacier is also known for its natural landmarks, such as the Spannagel Cave, which is the largest cave system in the Austrian Central Alps. Visitors can explore this extensive cave system, which is conveniently located next to the Spannagelhaus, an Alpine hut that operates year-round. Another notable attraction is the Natural Ice Palace (Natur Eis Palast), accessible from the top station of the Gletscherbus 3 lift. Here, visitors can embark on a unique journey, climbing about 25 metres down into the ice using a combination of steps and ladders.
The Hintertux Glacier is more than just a ski resort; it is a destination that showcases the beauty and majesty of nature. With its year-round activities, stunning views, and natural wonders, it is a favourite among tourists and adventurers seeking an unforgettable Austrian experience.
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Spannagel Cave
Hintertux is a glacier located in the Tuxertal, a side valley of the Zillertal in the Austrian state of Tyrol. The Hintertux Glacier is one of the most popular glaciers in Austria, attracting tourists all year round with its winter sports facilities and summer hiking activities.
The cave is of scientific importance, with its formation resulting from geological and mixing corrosion explained by the tectonics of the region. It is the highest large cave in Europe, extending from the Gefrorne-Wand-Kees glacier to the Lärmstange at 2,686 metres above sea level. The cave features various marble formations, calc-sinter formations, speleothems, crystals, and kolks. The age of the cave and its formation, as well as its beneficial atmosphere for those with lung ailments, are also described during the tour.
A cave museum has been established in the eastern section, displaying discoveries from the interior of the mountain. Visitors can also explore the Natural Ice Palace (Natur Eis Palast), accessible via the Gletscherbus 3 lift, where they can climb about 25 metres down into the ice using a combination of steps and ladders.
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Tux Valley
The Tux Valley, or Tuxertal, is a side valley of the Zillertal in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is the westernmost of the subsidiary valleys in the Zillertal Alps Nature Park, which is part of the Austrian Central Alps. The valley is approximately 15km long and steadily rises to a height of 3,250m, where it meets the majestic glaciers of Gefrorene-Wand-Kees (or Gefrorene Wand) and Riepenkees (or Olperer). These glaciers are also known by their collective tourist name, the Hintertux Glacier.
The Hintertux Glacier is one of the most popular glaciers in Austria, attracting many tourists year-round. It offers skiing 365 days a year, with 60km of slopes in the winter and 20km in the summer. The skiing area extends to an altitude of 3,250m, where there is a panoramic view of the Alps. In the summer, the glacier is also perfect for hiking tours, with several refuges and mountain huts along the way.
The Hintertux Glacier can be accessed by gondola and chair lifts from the village of Hintertux in the Tux Valley. This village is located at an altitude of 1,500m and is one of the five districts of Tux, along with Madseit, Juns, Lanersbach, and Vorderlanersbach. The valley offers countless hiking paths, Nordic Walking routes, and MTB trails, as well as themed trails for families known as TUX-Welten.
One of the highlights of the Tux Valley is the Spannagel Cave, which is the largest cave system in the Austrian Central Alps and the highest show cave in Europe. The cave is over 10km long and can be explored on a guided tour. Another popular attraction is Nature's Ice Palace, a natural wonder that can be accessed by boat in the summer. Visitors can also climb down into the ice using a combination of steps and ladders at the Natural Ice Palace (Natur Eis Palast) entrance.
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Zillertal ski area
Hintertux is located in the Tuxertal valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol, in the west of the country. It is one of the two ski resorts in the world offering skiing 365 days a year, with the other being Zermatt in Switzerland. The Hintertux Glacier is one of the most popular glaciers in Austria, with skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.
The Hintertux Glacier is part of the Zillertal ski area, which is the largest ski area in the Zillertal valley. The Zillertal ski area offers 548 kilometres of groomed pistes and 180 state-of-the-art lifts, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The ski area ranges from 630 to 3,250 metres above sea level, providing optimal piste and snow conditions. The highest ski resorts in the Zillertal extend up to an altitude of 3,250 metres, including the Hintertux Glacier.
The Zillertal Arena, within the Zillertal ski area, is the largest ski area in Zillertal. It stretches from Zell in Zillertal to Wald-Königsleiten and Krimml-Hochkrimml, via Gerlos. The Zillertal Arena offers 150 kilometres of slopes and 52 lifts, with plenty of space and no waiting times at the lifts. The ski area is known for its rustic huts and mountain restaurants, as well as its spectacular snow parks with fun runs, jumps, and obstacles.
The Zillertal Superskipass provides access to all 548 kilometres of pistes and 180 lifts in the four large ski areas: Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch, Zillertal Arena, Mayrhofner Bergbahnen, and Ski & Glacier World Zillertal 3000. The Zillertal ski area was named the 2024 test winner for "Best Ski Resort" by Skiresort.de, a leading ski resort test portal.
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Hintertux Glacier hotels
Hintertux Glacier, located in the Zillertaler Alps above Hintertux in Austria, is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, offering 62 to 64 kilometres of slopes and an extensive lift system. The ski resort is situated in the Tux-Finkenberg region of Tyrol, providing year-round snow sports with slopes ranging from medium to all levels of difficulty.
The Hintertux Glacier ski resort boasts an impressive elevation, reaching up to 3,250 metres above sea level. This height ensures good snow conditions throughout the year, making it a reliable choice for winter sports enthusiasts. The resort features modern lifts, including gondola and chair lifts, that transport guests to the slopes beneath the Olperer peak, which stands at 3,476 metres.
The ski area is part of the Ski and Glacier World Zillertal 3000, which encompasses slopes in Finkenberg, Mayrhofen, and other nearby areas. With 20 to 22 lifts, guests have easy access to a variety of pistes and freeride terrain. The resort also offers ski rental services and a ski school for beginners and advanced skiers.
For those seeking accommodation, there are several hotels in and around the Hintertux Glacier area. These hotels provide convenient access to the ski resort and cater to guests looking for a comfortable stay during their winter sports holiday. The hotels range from luxurious options offering all-inclusive packages to more modest accommodations suited to different budgets. Some hotels may also provide ski passes or discounts as part of their guest offerings.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the Hintertux Glacier resort offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps. The panorama terrace, located at 3,250 metres, provides a stunning visual experience, showcasing the surrounding three-thousand-metre peaks and the Olperer summit. The resort also features sun terraces where guests can relax, enjoy the sun, and savour traditional meals and refreshments.
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Frequently asked questions
Hintertux is located in the Austrian state of Tyrol.
Hintertux is home to the Hintertux Glacier, which is a popular tourist destination for skiing and hiking. It is one of only two ski resorts in the world offering skiing 365 days a year.
Hintertux offers spectacular views of the Alps and is suitable for mountaineering. There are plenty of Alpine huts, some managed all year round, such as Spannagelhaus, which is next to the Spannagel Cave.
Three large gondola lifts, also known as glacier buses, have been built to transport tourists. Each gondola can carry 24 people and they are suspended on two steel cables.
The Hintertux Glacier is the tourist name for the glaciers of the Gefrorene-Wand-Kees, also called the Tuxer Ferner, and the nearby Riepenkees at the top of the Tuxertal, a side valley of the Zillertal.
