Piste tours on the Pitztal Glacier

The Pitztal Glacier offers ski touring enthusiasts the chance to explore a world of eternal ice from early autumn through until late spring.

Kogel Route (blue/easy)

This easy ski tour is a great way to explore the Pitztal Glacier. It begins at the top of the Gletscherexpress cable car at 2,840 metres above sea level. There, leaving from the bottom of the Brunnenkogel draglift, walk up on ski piste number 20. Most of the route is not too steep, with just one more challenging section. The views of the glacier-topped mountains are great. The tour concludes at the top of the draglift at 3,347 metres.

  • Parking: parking at the bottom station of the Gletscherexpress cable car, Mittelberg near St. Leonhard im Pitztal
  • Arriving by bus: bus route 4204 (Imst - Arzl i. P. - Wenns - Jerzens - Mittelberg)
  • Walking time: 1 – 1.5 hours
  • Distance: 2km
  • Vertical ascent: 440 metres
  • Huts along the way: Restaurant Kristall (at the top station of the Gletscherexpress)

Further information

Ferner Route (red/intermediate)

This challenging ski tour leads across the Mittelbergferner glacier to 3,170 metres above sea level. It begins at the bottom of the Mittelbergbahn lift next to the glacier lake. From there, ascend along ski piste number 36 for 3.5 kilometres up to the top of the Mittelbergbahn. Most of the route is on pistes 36 and 37. There is only one section away from the marked pistes, but this is on a well-maintained ski touring trail not far from the slopes. The gradient is relatively gentle throughout, meaning skiers will have the time and energy to enjoy the views.  

  • Parking: parking at the bottom station of the Gletscherexpress cable car, Mittelberg near St. Leonhard im Pitztal
  • Arriving by bus: bus route 4204 (Imst - Arzl i. P. - Wenns - Jerzens - Mittelberg)
  • Walking time: 2 - 2.5 hours
  • Distance: 3.5km
  • Vertical ascent: 440 metres
  • Huts along the way: Restaurant Kristall (at the top station of the Gletscherexpress)

Further information

Cappuccino Route (black/difficult)

Good equipment, plenty of energy and some experience of ski touring are the three key ingredients for the Cappuccino Route on the Pitztal Glacier. The route begins to the left side of the bottom station of the Brunnenkogel draglift, next to the top of the Gletscherexpress. There is a marked ascent trail up to the top of the Wildspitzbahn at 3,440 metres. The first section leads along piste number 26, becoming steeper the higher you get. Please do not leave the marked route – there are crevasses on the glacier which post a serious risk. The toughest part is a steep slope in the final third. At the top you can look forward to fantastic views of Austria's second-highest mountain, the Wildspitze, at 3,768 metres above sea level.

  • Parking: parking at the bottom station of the Gletscherexpress cable car, Mittelberg near St. Leonhard im Pitztal
  • Arriving by bus: bus route 4204 (Imst - Arzl i. P. - Wenns - Jerzens - Mittelberg)
  • Walking time: 2 - 2.5 hours
  • Distance: 2.5km
  • Vertical ascent: 620 metres
  • Huts along the way: Café 3.440 (at the top of the Wildspitzbahn, Restaurant Kristall at the top of the Gletscherexpress)

Further information

How did you like this article?

Want to receive an answer? If so, please get in touch using the contact form.

Go up

Is your inbox in need of a holiday?

Then subscribe to our weekly newsletter full of exclusive holiday tips from Tirol!