25Easy
71Medium
17Difficult
21Ski lifts
8Chair lifts8Drag lifts5Gondola
Once isolated from the rest of the country, today the Pitztal valley offers three good ski stations, which together form a very attractive Austrian ski holiday destination. By getting to the top station of the cableway to Hinterer Brunnenkogel, you reach the highest possible point that is accessible by means of a lift in Austria - 3440 m above sea level. From here you can ski down easy and intermediate routes from autumn to summer. The neighboring Riflsee station has a quite sporty character, and Hochzeiger, located at the entrance of the valley, is an option for families. There are also snow parks and trails for off-piste skiing and ski-touring.
The largest ski resort in Pitztal is Hochzeiger, located at the beginning of the valley. 54 km of routes have been stretched at an altitude of 1450–2450 m. The nearest locality is Jerzens, lying at 1,100 m, and just a little further are the nearby Wenns and Arzl. Trails starting at the top of Sechszeiger (2,395 m) are particularly noteworthy. Next to it is a chairlift that takes skiers up to a height of 2,450 m, to the summit of Hochzeiger, the starting point of three black runs. Below, in the vicinity of the intermediate lift station, there is a special section prepared for children and families. The second, smaller one is also at the bottom, in the valley. The long ski runs from the top to the valley should not just be left for the end of the day – each one is varied and combines skiing pleasure with great views.
Pitztal is above all skiing on the glacier. 37 km of mainly red runs are wide, exposed slopes offering plenty of room for wide carving turns. More experienced skiers will appreciate the three red routes directly below the summit of Hinterer Brunnenkogel and opportunities for off-piste. A natural bonus for anyone who will choose to ski down the glacier are the breathtaking views of the surrounding three-thousanders, the tallest of which is Wildspitze (3774 m).
The Riflsee ski resort, lying almost next to the lower station of the gondola to the Kaunertal glacier, offers a total of 31 km of slopes. Though 12 km of the routes have been marked blue, the local trails are quite demanding. Two red runs leading from Grubenkopf are particularly popular among skiers visiting this station.
If you’re going to choose to ski in Pitztal, you have to accept the necessity of commuting to the lifts. The valley is full of villages from Jerzens, through the main town of St. Leonhard im Pitztal, to Riflseebahn at its end.