Ski tours

Find suggestions for the best ski tours in Zillertal, specially provided by Zillertal mountain guides.

Gentle ski tours

Kleiner Gamsstein, 1924 m

Altitude difference	500 m
Ascent time	1.5 hours
Exposure	East
max. gradient	30°
Mountain range	Tux Alps
Best touring time	December to April
Character	Ideal ski tour for newcomers in gentle, scenic surroundings; the way-marked cross-country skiing trail at the start of the tour is ideal for finding your rhythm
Starting point	Hochfügen
Transport and parking facilities	Open car park in Hochfügen ski area at the start of the cross-country skiing trail
Ascent	Follow the way-marked cross-country skiing trail towards Loassattel. Once past the distinctive trench of the Maschentalbach, the trail rises moderately upwards to Maschentalalm Hochleger. Climbing upward on gentle slopes, you reach the summit and left on level ground to Kleiner Gamsstein (1924m).
Descent	There are many descent options around the upward track.
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2224 – West Schwaz
Resting places	None

Schönbichl, 2049 m

Altitude difference	800 m
Ascent time	3 hours
Exposure	North – north-west
max. gradient	30°
Mountain range	Zillertal Alps
Best touring time	December to March
Character	Beautiful and popular ski tour for newcomers in Gerlos, where you will pleasantly surprised by a plateau at the summit and an unusual view over Gerlos valley
Starting point	Isskogelbahn car park
Transport and parking facilities	Zell am Ziller – Hainzenberg – Gerlos, Isskogelbahn
Ascent	From Isskogelbahn car park climb through mountain pastures towards Auerschlagalm and take the forest track to Auerschlagalm. At Filzegg go through sparse forest to Filzenalm; you access the large Schönbichl summit (2049m) via wide ridges.
Descent	Descent options around the upward track
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 3219 – West Gerlos
Resting places	None

Grüblspitze, 2395 m

Altitude difference	1050 m
Ascent time	3.5 hours
Exposure	South-west
max. gradient	30°
Mountain range	Tux Alps
Best touring time	December to March
Character	Clear, uncomplicated pleasure tour; the Grübelspitze has one of the loveliest prospects in the foothills of the Tux Alps.
Starting point	Hotel Höhlenstein, Juns or Eggalmbahn, Tux-Lanersbach
Transport and parking facilities	Mayrhofen – Tux– Lanersbach – Juns
Ascent	Variant 1 from Juns: through the mountain pastures to Brandalm; along the path through the forest to Waldhoaralm and then on to Waldhoarspitze; then over the ridges directly west to Grüblspitze (2395m); Variant 2 from Tux-Lanersbach: a short climb – via the Eggalmbahn – opens up to a rewarding ski run: a classical beginner’s trail;
Descent	Variant 1: Descent options around the upward track Variant 2: The ski run over the Waldhoaralm (1850m) leads conveniently over a forest track into the valley. There is another descent route to the north. From a beautiful hollow (Eggerkar), turn right from the valley floor to reach a forest path. Cross this lengthways to the piste to the "Eggalm Nord" double chair lift into the Eggalm ski area, and then directly back to Tux-Lanersbach.
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2230 – West Hintertux
Resting places	None

Moderate ski tours

Speikspitze, 2324 m

Altitude difference	1100 m
Ascent time	4 hours
Exposure	West
max. gradient	30°
Mountain range	Kitzbühel Alps
Best touring time	December to March
Character	At nearly 1200m, the route is moderately difficult but this is otherwise a sensational ski tour that is ideal in early winter – depending on the snow, which mostly lies on the alpine pastures.
Starting point	Gasthof Talblick
Transport and parking facilities	Stumm in Zillertal, Ahrnbach, ascend to Gasthof Rissbacher – Kleinstummerberg – Distelberg, Gasthof Talblick (free parking)
Ascent	Gasthof Talblick is at the “Kogel” where you ascend over the mountain pastures to the left end and take a forest track around the small forested area. The “Kogelangeralmen” end in a sparse stone pine forest. After leaving this behind, go towards Kapaunser Jöchl (1978m), which is topped with a cross. Over slightly stepped terrain to the north-west, climb directly up to the summit of the Speikspitze (2324m);
Descent	There are many descent options around the upward track.
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2224 – Ost Fügen
Resting places	None / Gasthof Talblick open all year round

Sonntagsköpfl, 2244 m

Altitude difference	850 m
Ascent time	3 hours
Exposure	East – north-east
max. gradient	40°
Mountain range	Tux Alps
Best touring time	December to April
Character	A challenging ski tour for newcomers in gentle, scenic surroundings; the way-marked cross-country slopes at the start of the tour are ideal for finding your rhythm.
Starting point	Hochfügen
Transport and parking facilities	Public car park in Hochfügen ski area at the start of the cross-country skiing trail
Ascent	Follow the way-marked cross-country skiing trail towards Loassattel. Before the distinctive trench of the Maschentalbach, climb first through a steep wood, exiting later to open, still somewhat steep pastureland and on up to the summit of Sonntagsköpfl (2244m).
Descent	There are many descent options around the upward track.
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2224 – West Schwaz
Resting places	None

Torhelm, 2452 m

Altitude difference	1230 m
Ascent time	4 hours
Exposure	North-east
max. gradient	30° short sharp rise to the summit
Mountain range	Zillertal Alps
Best touring time	December to March
Character	A very popular ski tour at the entrance to Gerlos valley. If you choose the right track there is very little danger of an avalanche, except on the short track over the area right below the summit.
Starting point	Gasthof Kühle Rast
Transport and parking facilities	Zell am Ziller – Hainzenberg – Gerlos, Gmünd at the entrance to Schwarzachgrund, Gasthof "Kühle Rast"
Ascent	Cross the barrier over the mountain pasture towards Weißbachalm; pass through the woodland via the forest path until you come out onto the mountain pasture to Weißbachalm – arrive at Mittelleger. After crossing the trench over the wide ridge to the right, go towards Brandberger Schneide; this wide ridge, which narrows somewhat before a flat section, leads directly to a short sharp rise to the summit of Torhelm (2452m).
Descent	Descent options around the upward track
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 3219 – West Gerlos + sheet 3225 – West Speicher Zillergründl
Resting places	None / Gasthof Kühle Rast

Kastenwendenkopf, 2329 m

Altitude difference	1050 m
Ascent time	4 hours
Exposure	North-east
max. gradient	35°
Mountain range	Kitzbühel Alps
Best touring time	December to April
Character	Isolated ski tour in the shadow of the Falschriedel, also suitable for firn snow tours in spring; start along the ski piste.
Starting point	Car park behind Krumbach bridge (at the start of the Almstüberl toboggan run)
Transport and parking facilities	Zell am Ziller – Hainzenberg – Gerlos, Krumbachtal car park;
Ascent	First follow the Krumbichl to Almstüberl (toboggan run), then take the forest path on the valley floor at the head of the valley; cross the bridge over the Neederbach to Almen Hanseltret, Leitenegg and Neuhüttenalm; cross over the flat section to the left of the summit to a saddle; follow the distinctive crest to the right of the flat summit of Kastenwendenkopf (2329m);
Descent	Descent options around the upward track
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 3219 – West Gerlos
Resting places	None

Rastkogel, 2762 m

Altitude difference	1050 m
Ascent time	5 hours
Exposure	East – north-east
max. gradient	40°
Mountain range	Tux Alps
Best touring time	December to April
Character	The great classics among the Zillertal ski tours; overnight lodge accommodation available
Starting point	Pay parking at the former Atlas Sportalm
Transport and parking facilities	Hippach in Zillertal, ascend via Zillertaler Höhenstraße (signposted) past Gasthof "Mösl" to the car park at the former Atlas Sportalm
Ascent	After a short distance on the Mautstraße, at the first bend cross into the open mountain pasture of Schafleitenalm Hochleger; go past the Rastkogelhütte; follow the distinctive valley path high over the Sidanbach to the Sidanseen; climb the wide corrie to the summit slopes of the Rastkogel (you can leave your skis here); pass over the steep south-easterly slopes to reach the summit of the Rastkogel (2762m).
Descent	There are many descent options around the upward track, and an opposing climb to the Rastkogelhütte is worthwile
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2224 – West Schwaz
Resting places	Rastkogelhütte

Torspitze, 2663 m

Altitude difference	1050 m
Ascent time	4 hours
Exposure	West
max. gradient	40°
Mountain range	Tux Alps
Best touring time	January - April
Character	Ski tour in stunningly located, scenic region with a wonderful descent
Starting point	Geiselhöfe, Tux-Vorderlanersbach
Transport and parking facilities	Mayrhofen – Tux-Vorderlanersbach, Geiselhöfe; checkpoint for avalanche transceivers at the start of the tour
Ascent	Depending on snow conditions, the route first leads through open mountain pastures or through the forest track to the Geiselalm. After a short descent, you will arrive at the Hobalm, through small pastures, the forest track now follows the crossing to the Vallruckalm until you climb the Eiskarjoch directly up to the Torspitze.
Descent	Descent options around the upward track
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2230 – West Hintertux
Resting places	None

Hoher Riffler, 3231 m

Altitude difference	700 m
Ascent time	3 hours
Exposure	West – north
max. gradient	45°
Mountain range	Tux Alps
Best touring time	March - May
Character	Using the Hintertuxer Gletscherbahn cable car, this is a short but high-Alpine ski tour to a Zillertal 3000er. Depending on conditions and descent, crampons and safety gear (harnesses and ropes) are necessary for this alpine tour.
Starting point	Tux – Hintertux – Take the glacier cable car to Tuxer Fernerhaus (2nd section)
Transport and parking facilities	Mayrhofen – Tux – Hintertux – car park at Hintertuxer Gletscherbahn cable car
Ascent	From Tuxer Fernerhaus, first climb crossways (taking the power lines as your reference point) and then go under the Gefrorene Wand towards Schwarzbrunnerkees. The steep entrance to the left of Schwarzbrunnerkees is the key passage (danger of slipping!). After the slope, take a spacious right-hand curve over the relatively flat ridge to the summit of Hohen Riffler (3231m);
Descent	The first descent option is around the upward track; around Schwarzenbrunnerkees along the glacier and moraines to the Untere Schwarze Platte and Kleegrube, then back to the ski piste
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2230 – West Hintertux
Resting places	None

Difficult ski tours

Nestspitze, 2966 m

Altitude difference	1670 m
Ascent time	6 hours
Exposure	South-east
max. gradient	45°
Mountain range	Zillertaler Alps
Best touring time	March - April
Character	A challenging alpine ski tour from the mountaineering village Ginzling with exposed summit ridge; depending on conditions, crampons and safety gear (harnesses and ropes) are necessary for this alpine tour.
Starting point	Mountaineering village Ginzling – Gasthof Innerböden
Transport and parking facilities	Mayrhofen in Zillertal – Ginzling – Gasthof Innerböden, parking facilities
Ascent	From Gasthof Innerböden climb directly up to the Oberbödenalm and continue in the direction of Graue Platte. At Graue Platte orientate to Hauser Spitze – Nest Spitze. Follow the ridge connecting both summits (ski depot) to reach the summit.
Descent	Descent options. Due to the very steep descent, this tour is only feasible in safe conditions.
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2230 – West Hintertux
Resting places	None

Ahornspitze, 2973 m

Altitude difference	1350 m
Ascent time	5 hours
Exposure	North-west
max. gradient	45°
Mountain range	Zillertal Alps
Best touring time	February - April
Charakter	The local mountains around Mayrhofen offer a short climb to the Alpine divide. Depending on conditions, crampons and safety gear (harnesses and ropes) are necessary for this alpine tour.
Starting point	Mayrhofner cable car – Ahornbahn
Transport and parking facilities	Mayrhofen in Zillertal – Ahornbahn – cable car
Ascent	From the summit station, climb to the Filzenkogel (in safe conditions and low snow conditions the summer path to the Edelhütte is also possible). The first descent leads north very steeply to Fellenbergkar. In the corrie traverse the stepped terrain bearing right under the summit flank of the Anhornspitze. Then turn right to the Popbergschneid – there is a ski depot here. Follow the distinctive spur along the last 250m to the winter peak of the Ahornspitze (2973m);
Descent	To descend, go a little lower below the Filzenkogel and then cross back to the summit station via the summer path. Due to the very steep descent and crossings, this tour is only feasible in safe conditions.
Recommended map	Austrian map / sheet 2230 – Ost Mayrhofen
Resting places	None

GENERAL SAFETY INFO

All of the ski tours listed take place in the high mountains in winter. To go on the tours, you must have the ability to assess the risk of avalanche. In the event of questions, please contact local mountain guides and ski instructors.
The gradients specified are average gradients for the terrain; greater gradients are also possible depending on the selected route.
Irrespective of the above, the gradient is clearly related to the avalanche warning level. Please find out about the avalanche warning level and the weather forecast.
Ensure that you have the correct equipment and that this is all fully functional, especially with regard to safety equipment. An avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel, avalanche probe and mobile phone are ESSENTIAL; possibly also take an avalanche air bag.
Think about your fitness and don’t start out too late, especially not in spring.
When on ski tours, you get truly up close and personal with nature. You should therefore show particular respect for nature as this is the only way to achieve active natural protection.
Mobile phones don't work everywhere.
In the event of an accident, alert the mountain rescue team by calling the Alpine emergency number 140.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS: