Two skiers on a freshly groomed glacier piste in front of the snow-covered Wildspitze

Winter in the Pitztal

Welcome to the snow playground

Glaciers up to 3,440 m, quiet trails, deep snow – stories from the Pitztal mountain winter.

The Pitztal mountain winter

Experience winter like in the old days

Snowed in like a fairy tale, as much snow as in childhood days, crystal-clear air and a view that takes your breath away – winter in the Pitztal is a highlight not only for skiers and snowboarders.

If you prefer to take things more slowly, you will find relaxation in soothing silence away from the slopes. For ski tourers, the Wildspitze (3,768 m), the highest mountain in North Tyrol, is a must. Cross-country skiers do their altitude training and also enjoy groomed trails on the valley floor. Winter hikers and snowshoers can be out for hours without meeting a soul – and ice climbers scale the frozen waterfalls of the valley.

Snow-covered villages, white forests, majestic peaks and three ski areas: the Pitztal has the right programme for everyone. And Sonnblick is right in the middle of it – at 1,616 m, in the inner Pitztal valley.

Chapter I · Skiing

Three ski areas, one valley

Café 3440 on the Pitztal Glacier with a view of the Wildspitze

Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee

Skiing up to 3,440 metres

On the Pitztal Glacier, the ski season starts as early as mid-September and lasts until early May. Wide natural-snow pistes make skiers’ hearts beat faster. In the X PARK PITZTAL with cross-country centre, ski touring park, fun park and freeride area, you’ll also get your money’s worth off the pistes.

And everyone enjoys the view and a coffee at Café 3440, perched like an eagle’s nest facing the Wildspitze. The small but fine Rifflsee ski area is considered an insider tip among connoisseurs: cable cars take you straight from Mandarfen to over 2,800 m.

From the Sonnblick it is 3.3 km to the valley station – the ski bus takes you there free of charge with the GuestCard.

More about the Pitztal Glacier

Family with two children on skis on a sunny piste, the Inn valley in the background

Hochzeiger in Jerzens

The sunny mountain for families

Families and sun worshippers have always been drawn to the Hochzeiger in Jerzens. 40 km of pistes of all levels of difficulty, a 6 km toboggan run, a snow park and numerous rustic huts provide entertainment and lots of fun.

At altitudes of 1,450 to 2,450 m, long runs and good snow conditions are the rule. The ski bus also takes you here free of charge with the GuestCard.

More about the Hochzeiger

Couple with coffee and cake on the sun terrace in front of snow-covered mountains

Gentle winter enjoyment

It doesn’t always have to be sporty and steep.

The Pitztal is an Alpine gem far from the hustle and bustle of the big winter sports resorts. A walk in the winter sun, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy landscape or simply a coffee in the sun – perhaps even at the Café DAS 3440, which can also be reached by non-skiers by railway. A winter holiday at Sonnblick is balm for the soul.

Coachman with dog on the horse-drawn sleigh in the snowy winter forest — Horse-drawn sleigh ride through the winter forest

Chapter II · Active holidays at Hotel Sonnblick

Winter off the pistes

A winter holiday in the Pitztal is much more than “just” skiing. The nature around our hotel is waiting to be discovered.

Two cross-country skiers using the classic technique on the glacier trail in bright sunshine

Cross-country skiing

The trail starts at the front door

The 21-kilometre valley trail – classic and skating – runs right past the hotel. If you want to go higher, you can train at the X PARK cross-country centre on the Pitztal Glacier: altitude training with a view of the 3,000-metre peaks.

Cross-country skier skating on the groomed glacier trail

Trails in the Pitztal

Two snowshoers in front of an old hay barn in deep snow beneath larch trees

Snowshoeing & winter hiking

Quiet tracks in deep snow

Snowshoers explore the romantic Taschach gorge or follow a guide through the snowy Kaunergrat Nature Park. Out for hours without meeting a soul – just you, the snow and the mountains.

Snowshoer in powder snow in a clearing with a mountain view

Father with two children snowshoeing in deep snow in front of a mountain panorama

Ski tourer climbing in powder snow, a sea of clouds and mountain range behind

Ski touring & high-alpine ski tours

Climbing between the 3,000-metre peaks

The inner Pitztal with its numerous 3,000-metre peaks is a popular starting point for ski tours and high-alpine ski tours – all the way up to the Wildspitze (3,768 m). The lifts at Rifflsee and on the Pitztal Glacier make it easier to access the glacier world of the Ötztal Alps. The ski touring park in the X PARK is the place to practise.

Ice climber with axes on an ice wall at the glacier, sun in backlight

Ice climbing

45 frozen waterfalls – the mecca for ice climbers

With 45 frozen waterfalls, the Pitztal is considered a mecca for ice climbers. Beginners can also try out the sport at suitable practice spots – ideally with a local mountain guide.

All winter activities on pitztal.com

Pitztal mountain and ski schools

Into the snow with professionals

If you want to discover the winter landscape or improve your snow sports skills, the Pitztal ski instructors and ski guides are the right people. In the ski schools, trained instructors teach you skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing.

The local mountain and ski guides are experts in ski touring and freeriding – and know where the best powder snow is. The Club Alpin Pitztal ski and mountain school is just 2 km from the hotel.

Outdoor professionals in the Pitztal

Blue and yellow regional bus passing the snowy Hotel Sonnblick in winter, deep-snow rock faces behind

By ski bus

Leave the car, grab your skis

The ski bus stop is around 100 m from the Sonnblick. From there the bus takes you to the valley station of the Pitztal Glacier in around 5 minutes – and you can reach Rifflsee and Hochzeiger without a car, too.

With the GuestCard you ride free of charge. Your car stays in the car park all week, and you don’t have to hunt for a parking space at the valley station.

Pitztal photos: TVB Pitztal/Chris Walch, TVB Pitztal/Daniel Zangerl, TVB Pitztal/Robert Pupeter, TVB Pitztal/Manuel Lentsch, TVB Pitztal/Roland Haschka

Your mountain winter in the Pitztal

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