Snow reporter Jolanda

live from the snow: Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach, Hochfügen & Spieljoch

Skiing adventures in the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach, Hochfügen & Spieljoch ski resorts – Three days of skiing, three experiences

Day 1: Sun-drenched skiing and moments of pleasure on the Spieljoch

The day starts early with the first gondola. The ‘Heiße Kante’ (piste no. 3) is my first descent of the day, and what can I say? Perfect pistes, hardly any people and the first rays of sunshine on the freshly prepared descent. I tell you, I can hardly put into words the feeling of skiing down there.

The mix of great curves, moderate sections and sporty steep slopes makes this descent the ideal warm-up for the day.

After a few really good turns on this varied slope, I start to look forward to a well-deserved break, as usual.

And if there's one thing I'm known for, it's my reliable culinary recommendations:

lunchtime was the perfect moment to enjoy one of the region's best desserts on the sun deck: blueberry Kaiserschmarrn, accompanied by an Aperol. Soaking up the sun, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying all facets of winter – simply wonderful!

Tip: For all you ‘gönnjamins’ out there – if you want to indulge in culinary delights after a great day's skiing, you should definitely stop by Il Ristorante – the award-winning restaurant impresses with sophisticated dishes that reinterpret traditional cuisine at the highest level.With great attention to detail, Alpine classics and Italian specialities are combined here to create a unique culinary experience – and all at an impressive 1,800 metres.

The crowning glory of my day's skiing is an absolutely dreamlike descent: the valley run to Fügen. This piste leads all the way down to the valley in winter and offers a great mix of sporty sections and slopes for relaxed carving.

Day 2: Hochzillertal – skiing with style and action

On the second day of skiing, I went to the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach ski region – an area known for its wide slopes, excellent chalet cuisine and beautiful panoramic slopes.

Tip: A real highlight for me was the ride in the VIP gondola. If you want to treat yourself to a special day of skiing, you can float up to the ski area in luxurious leather chairs with a glass of sparkling wine in your hand. In retrospect, it was an experience that was an absolute highlight for me.

In addition to skiing fun, the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach ski region also offers plenty of action.

I'm not the greatest park skier, but I still dared to take on one or two small jumps – and it was really fun! Real freestyle fans will definitely get their money's worth in this ski resort, because the Betterpark, with a total length of 320 metres and its own lift, offers various areas for all skill levels: from the Beginner Line to the XL-Kicker Line, there is something for everyone.

And don't forget: Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach offers two valley runs (Aschau & the Stephan Eberharter Goldpiste to Kaltenbach), which you should take at least once during your visit and ideally first thing in the morning.

If you opt for the descent to Kaltenbach, you'll end up right in the middle of the après-ski fun ;-)

Day 3: Hochfügen – fun on the slopes, freeriding & Hochfügen Night

In addition to gently sloping slopes for families with children, nature and action lovers will get their money's worth with a variety of more challenging slopes and off-piste skiing.

If you want to experience real deep-snow fun, there's no getting around Hochfügen. It's not for nothing that the ski resort is considered an absolute freeride mecca. That's why I'm trying my hand at a freeride starter course with the Skifriends.

After a detailed introduction to avalanche rescue and how to use an avalanche transceiver, we head out into the terrain. The first turns in the deep snow feel a bit shaky at first – but with each turn, our confidence grows, and in the end, we just enjoy the fresh powder and the silent mountain scenery around us.

Tip: If you want to start freeriding, I highly recommend you visit the Skifriends powered by Dynastar at the Skicheck ski school. Here you will learn everything you need to know for a safe freeride experience – including rental equipment so that you can get started with the best equipment.

My personal highlight of this winter season? The Hochfügen Night – Fire meets Snow! A show that I won't forget anytime soon: spectacular ski jumps, ski acrobatics at the highest level, breathtaking formation rides, and a light and fire show that lights up the entire slope. If you have the opportunity, be sure to check it out! You can find all the information here.

Everything for the perfect family holiday

There is plenty of fun to be had on the Funny Slopes in the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach ski region and in the Spieljoch ski area, especially for young skiers. The Juzi Line & Funline in Hochfügen make getting started with skiing even more exciting with their playful routes featuring waves, steep curves and small obstacles.

Tip: A real plus in all three ski resorts: the Dwarf Club. Here, children from 7 months are in the best of hands and can play and discover in a safe, loving environment. Perfect for parents who want to enjoy the slopes undisturbed while the little ones are well looked after.

My conclusion: three days of skiing - a winter dream!

I almost forgot the most important thing: you can easily combine your day of skiing in the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach and Hochfügen ski regions! The two ski areas are connected by the Wedelexpress and the Top-Jet. This gives you access to even more kilometres of slopes and allows you to explore both ski areas seamlessly.

So, whether you are looking for leisurely skiing on the Spieljoch, stylish fun on the slopes in Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach or that ultimate freeride feeling in Hochfügen – each of these ski resorts has its own unique character and offers unforgettable experiences.

I hope I have been able to give you a good overview! See you next time – maybe I'll see you soon in one of these ski resorts.

Greetings from Zillertal,

yours, Jolanda