All snow ...
Winter sports in the Pitztal
The Pitztal, nestled in the majestic Tyrolean Alps, is not only a
paradise for skiers and snowboarders, it also offers a wealth of exciting winter sports activities away from the slopes.
For those who love adrenaline and want to experience nature to the full, there are numerous opportunities to explore the winter terrain.
Fascinating ski tours
From late autumn until well into spring, the Pitztal, with its countless 3000m peaks, is the hotspot for all enthusiastic ski tourers. The Pitztal mountains offer a wide range of easy, intermediate and challenging ski tours.
We, at the Hotel Andreas Hofer, are passionate ski tourers ourselves and are on hand to help and advise our guests. We have put together a ski touring guide specifically for ski touring enthusiasts.
Glide trough the Pitztal
on cross-country skis
Cross-country skiing fans can enjoy around 70 km of perfectly prepared and groomed trails in the Pitztal without any fuss: you can head straight from the lobby of the Hotel Andreas Hofer to the cross-country piste.
You can hire the right top equipment from PitzRentTal.
Freeriding
Powder off the slope!
Snowboarding and skiing on unspoilt slopes is becoming increasingly popular in the winter sports scene. The Pitztal is a paradise for snow lovers and offers plenty of opportunities to shred and powder off the groomed slopes, without markings.
Info: Try to Ride with the Pitztal Ski School – Our pros in the valley will be happy to ski down the most beautiful slopes with you.
Freestyle
... with snowboard or freeski
Pitztal is a true freestyle paradies for shredding, tricks and powdering.
At 3,000 m above sea level, freestylers will find the snow park on the Pitztal Glacier in Tyrol with numerous jumps, boxes and rails in various levels of difficulty for beginners to pros.
Unlimited shredding: Thanks to the perfect location on the roof of Tyrol, freestylers can shred without limits and hone their skills in the snow park on the Pitztal Glacier from autumn until late spring.
The fun park, which is located on the Mittelbergbahn/Piste 36, offers a total of three areas with different obstacles.
Free Touring
... Powder skiing in the Pitztal
The commonality of:
Touring skiers,
rreeriders and free tourers are all practising their sport outside the well-groomed pistes and are looking for unspoilt nature and exercise away from the hustle and bustle.
The difference between these three groups lies in the weighting of ascent to descent. In free touring, the descent takes centre stage. According to the motto “earn your run”, you first go up high and even higher to the summit, before gliding through pristine snow.
From the Hotel Andreas Hofer you can reach the Pitztal Glacier, Fernerkogel, Petersennspitze or Mittagskogel in no time at all.
Skicross in the Pitztal
In ski cross, four participants ski a course consisting of jumps, waves and bends at the same time. This sport is a type of freestyle and is becoming increasingly popular.
Our practice lift is the perfect place for this type of sport. Enjoy a nice day on the slopesor espand your skiing ability with a round of ski cross in the Pitztal.
Skicross groups are welcome to train on our practice slope. The use of our practice slope is free of charge for guests of the Hotel Andreas Hofer.
Tobogganing sleigh ride
in the Pitztal
Toboggan evening
at the Mandarfen practice lift
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
from 04.30 – 07.00 pm.
A tobogganing evening with family and friends after a day of skiing on the glacier or after a business meeting, conference or seminar guarantees fun and enjoyment. Tobogganing down the piste together is a unique experience that you shouldn’t miss.
For a quick slide, we recommend a toboggan run right next to the Hotel Andreas Hofer – on the hotel’s own practice lift.
Tip
Groups can book a sledging evening with a supporting programme (Ripperlessen, etc.).
Ice climbing paradise Pitztal
In the Pitztal, the mountains can be conquered in different ways. Ice climbing offers a special challenge. In winter, when the waterfalls in the Pitztal mountains freeze over, impressive ice worlds are created that are a paradise for every ice climber.
Depending on the weather and temperature, there are up to 30 routes of all levels of difficulty – from beginners to climbing pros. Alpinists will find the most difficult ice tours in the world in the Pitztal!
If you would like to try this variant of mountaineering for the first time in the Pitztal, you can do so together with one of the Pitztal mountain ski guides from the ski school, Club Alpin Pitztal or Alpine Adventure as well as the Pitztal mountain guide office.
Tip
You should secure your place early at the annual Eis Total ice climbing festival in Pitztal. Bizarre icefalls and a basecamp atmosphere await participants from all over the Alps, as well as the latest equipment for testing. The evening events (lectures, workshops etc.) take place at the Hotel Andreas Hofer.
Unforgettable winter hikes
Step by step, relaxed and almost meditative, hikers can also enjoy the Pitztal in winter. Set off directly from the Hotel Andreas Hofer into the beautiful landscape with its many hiking and walking trails.
Along the valley trail (21 km long)
From Mittelberg to Wiese. On this route, there is always the option of taking the ski bus back – in the individual hamlets.
Mandarfen to the Pitztal ski hut
approx. 30 min. – from Mandarfen to the ski hut
to the Rifflsee hut
approx. 30 min. – from the Rifflsee mountain station to the Rifflsee hut
Winter hike on the Rifflseeloipe
approx. 90 min – along the Rifflseeloipe
Snowshoe hike
Avalanche danger: safety first!
Please inform yourself in advance about the current situation!
On a hike with snowshoes, you can enjoy the experience of nature quietly, calmly and relaxed. Starting from the Hotel Andreas Hofer, you will find many routes to explore the snow-covered winter landscape of the Pitztal on snowshoes. You are welcome to hire snowshoes from the hotel free of charge!
The Pitzal ski school offers weekly guided tours for beginners and advanced skiers:
Along the valley trail: 21 km, entry and exit to the winter hiking trail possible in every hamlet
From Mandarfen to the Pitztal ski hut:
Walking time approx. 20 min
From the Sunna Alm mountain station to the Rifflseehütte:
Walking time approx. 20 min.
A short break from the winter sport
The Pitztal offers a variety: in addition to all the winter sports on offer, there are numerous opportunities to get to know the Pitztal away from the piste.
From the Hotel Andreas Hofer you can enjoy a coffee at 3,440 metres above sea level on the Pitztal Glacier or immerse yourself in the fascination of the “Queen of the Alps” – the Swiss stone pine.
Here you will find a fine selection of the specialities of the Pitztal:
- Café 3.440
- Naturepark Kaunergrat
- Mountain Advent
- Stamserhaus
- Swiss stone pine exhibition
- Aqua Dome
Enjoy the incomparable view of Tyrol’s highest mountain, the Wildspitze, and the surrounding 3,000-meter peaks of the Pitztal mountains in Austria’s highest café.
Opening hours:
daily from 09:30 am – 03:30 pm
- Homemade cakes and pies
- Coffee specialities
- Changing lunch menu and soups
- In winter every Saturday (from 07.12. to 09.05.) Tyrol’s highest breakfast in the Café 3.440
From the Upper Inn Valley right up to the Ötztal Alps, the Kaunergrat Nature Park is home to rare and interesting sights.
Starting point Naturparkhaus
The “Gache Blick” is the perfect location for the Kaunergrat Nature Park House, as the “Dreitälereck” is where the Kauner, Pitz and Inn valleys meet. Multimedia exhibitions about the diversity of local nature will amaze the whole family.
Plangeroß is transformed into a very special place in December. Every evening, another Advent window opens at a different house in the snow-covered village at 1,600 m, making it a meeting point for locals and guests alike.
The Stamserhaus in Wenns, whose foundation walls have stood for around 700 years, is a special highlight of Tyrolean history and tradition.
It is home to the Wenns Nativity Scene Association and exhibits special features of this traditional folk art every year.
The stone pine has characterized the landscape of the Pitztal valley for centuries, especially in Jerzens. It is a cultural asset and an integral part of life in Jerzen. The exhibition “The Swiss stone pine – a border crosser with talents” shows visitors the special features of the aromatically fragrant wood and takes visitors into the fascinating world of the “Queen of the Alps”.
Exhibition in the community center Jerzens, open daily from 9 am – 6 pm.
From a depth of 1,865 meters and at 40° Celsius, the precious water gushes to the surface in the Ötztal Längenfeld.
Thermal bath:
Daily from 09:00 am – 11:00 pm
(Bath closes at 10:30 pm)
Sauna:
Daily from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
(Bath closes at 10:30 pm)
Curling, another way to socialise and enjoy the winter!
It’s a great way to compete with friends in a curling tournament, have a laugh together and celebrate successes.
A sociable get-together and lots of fun is guaranteed when aiming for the staves.
Curling at the Stillebacher See
Registration is necessary!
Telephone reservation:
+43 (0) 5413 / 87 2 06
Cosy and relaxed
... with horsepower through the Pitztal
Experience romantic, fairytale moments, enjoy this slow down and explore the Pitztal with 1 or 2 horsepower on a carriage ride.
A ride on a horse-drawn sleigh is an essential part of a winter holiday in the Pitztal and shows you nature from a new perspective!
Riding stable Pitztal
Horse-drawn sleigh rides possible during the day and at night. Registration is necessary!
Reithof Pitztal, Tieflehn 69, St. Leonhard
Tel. +43 (0) 5413 / 86347 or directly in the hotel
Ice skating - fun in the Pitztal in Tyrol
How about an afternoon on the ice or round off a great day’s skiing with a few laps.
Stillbacher See
Open daily until approx. 11.00 pm
with music and floodlights!
Skate hire: € 5,-
Info at +43 (0) 5413 / 87206 Hotel Stillebach
Jerzens (due to weather conditions)
at the Monatin Camp Pitztal, Tel. +43 5414 / 87571
Monday, Wednesday – Sunday from 04.00 pm
Tuesday rest day. Free entry.
Ice skate hire.
Ifs (due to weather conditions)
at the Fischteich Piller from Willi Hairer (Tel. +43 676 / 4308280)
Tuesday to Sunday from 01.00 – 06.00 pm
Monday rest day. Free entry.
Ice skate hire.
Arzl (due to weather conditions)
at the Gruabe Arena in Arzl
Monday to Friday from 01.00 – 05.00 pm
Closed on Sundays public holidays.
Use of the pitch and hire shoes free of charge. The tennis parlour is open during opening hours.