Freeriding and Ski Touring in the Pitztal
Winter Beyond the Piste
It is the untouched line in the snow. The steady rhythm of the ascent. The silence when the cable car has long disappeared from hearing. Freeriding and ski touring in the Pitztal lead into a high-alpine winter world that can be intense and beautiful – and that demands respect.
Around the Pitztal Glacier, Rifflsee and Kaunergrat Nature Park, there are options for beginners with guidance as well as experienced tourers. Which tour is suitable on a particular day depends on snow, weather, avalanche conditions, ability and fitness.
Freeriding at the Pitztal Glacier and Rifflsee
Within the shared ski area, around 30 kilometres of ski routes and variants are available alongside the prepared pistes. This number is not an invitation to follow a track blindly. As soon as you leave the marked and secured piste, you are in open terrain.
Crevasses, wind-loaded snow, poor visibility and avalanche danger can play a role even close to a ski area. Anyone who does not know the terrain very well should go with a local ski guide.
A guided freeride day can be adapted to your ability – from your first experience with safety equipment to more demanding routes.
Ski Tours for Different Levels of Experience
The Pitztal offers short introductory routes as well as major high-alpine objectives. At Hochzeiger, marked ascent tracks are available within the ski area. In the glacier world, tours lead to high passes and summits.
The Wildspitze is the best-known objective. As Tyrol’s highest mountain, it attracts many experienced ski tourers. A ski tour to the Wildspitze is not an ordinary holiday outing, however: glaciers, crevasse danger, altitude and changing conditions require appropriate experience and usually professional guidance.
Those who are new to touring should begin with an easier route. Good days in the mountains are not measured by summit height.
Essential Safety Equipment
In open winter terrain, the minimum includes:
- an avalanche transceiver, switched on and worn correctly
- a probe
- a shovel
- a suitable backpack
- a mobile phone and emergency information
- additional glacier and rope equipment for glacier tours
- knowledge of how to use all equipment
An avalanche transceiver in your backpack is not enough. Everyone in the group must carry and know how to operate the equipment, and complete a check before starting.
Planning Is Part of the Tour
- read the current avalanche report
- check weather, wind and visibility
- plan the route and alternatives
- assess the group’s ability and fitness honestly
- check the equipment
- take observations during the tour seriously
- turn back in good time if something does not fit
A professional guide does not remove all responsibility, but contributes training, local knowledge and experience to the decision.
With a Mountain and Ski Guide
Qualified mountain and ski guides in the Pitztal offer guided freeride days, introductory tours and demanding summit objectives. A guide does not simply choose a beautiful route. They assess what is reasonable for this group on this day.
At the Mandarfner Hof, individual days with our private ski instructor and ski guide Seppi Schwarz can also be requested. Availability and the outing depend on conditions and ability.
Coming Back Is Part of the Experience
A good day in open terrain does not end with a summit photo. It ends with a safe return. Afterwards, equipment can dry at the Mandarfner Hof, your body can warm up and the day can settle quietly.
Discover more about ski areas and winter activities under Winter Holidays in the Pitztal.