PlanetSKI Reports from Pitztal in the Tirol
27th November 2023 | James Cove, The Tirol.
Our editor, James Cove, is in the glacier resort in the Tirol as heavy snow falls. It’s having the best start to winter in 15-years. Suffice to say James is more than a little excited. UPDATED
‘Why Pitztal for your first ski of the season?’ you may ask.
Last week, when I made my final decision, the forecast looked more than impressive with up to 50cm set to come down at the weekend.
Plus, not the total white-out other areas are now experiencing with everything shut.
It also has the highest skiing in the Tirol at 3,440m.
With more than enough terrain for a 2-day visit, plus it is usually uncrowded mid-week.
We scored on all counts.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
I always like to go somewhere different when possible – slightly often the beaten track and not the expected choice.
Pitztal ticked my boxes.
It is always fabulous making my first trip of the winter.
From hiring skis and selecting some old favourites.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
To being greeted by an empty car park.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
To getting on the main valley lift (with barely a soul around).
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
And then to be greeted by this at the top as one steps out.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
I got my ski legs back after a couple of runs (how does muscle memory work?).
Then delivered the required video for the PlanetSKI snow report:
The page is getting HUGE views as the Alps are being battered by snow and we report on it all from out in the mountains, and hopefully avoiding some of the exaggeration going on:
Make no mistake the ski area of Pitztal is small.
67kms of piste slopes:
- 14 blue
- 43 red
- 10 black
But sometimes (often) size isn’t everything, in my opinion.
Variety is what I like and Piztal has it in spades.
Sometimes in the large resorts one spends much time going from A to B, (looking forward to getting to B) that one forgets to live in the present and simply enjoy the moment.
Smaller resorts make you focus on the here-and-now.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Many resorts are trumpeting their sustainability credentials, bit Pitztal has been following an environmental pathway long before it became fashionable.
Use of solar panels is extensive, supplying large amounts of power to the resort.
They may not be pretty but they do a very good job.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Pitztal covers 100% of its electricity needs with its photovoltaic system in the summer months and around a third in the autumn and winter season.
“It is our clear goal to be energy self-sufficient all year round,” said the resort in a statement.
“We are reaching our goal by further expanding our photovoltaic system.
“Since our land is a sensitive natural area, a careful approach is essential and this plant also requires a strict approval process by the environmental authorities.”
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
At the moment all the locals can talk about is the snow.
Things got off to a good start here in September, when skiing on the glacier usually starts.
Then the temperature shot up and the area was temporarily closed in October.
The start of November was poor.
It was not promising and worries were growing after a generally poor winter for snow last year.
And then… POW!
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
So, who goes skiing at this time of year?
The keenies like me who live for skiing.
Locals who can’t wait to hit the slopes.
Then there are many race teams and clubs out.
From kids camps, through to national teams.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
They come from Japan, China, Turkey and Korea.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
At weekends at this time of year there are around 8,000 people on the slopes, but mid-week it is just a few hundred.
BTW, here is that video from the top of the resort that I talked about in my earlier video snow report.
Is it the best 360 degree view in the Alps?
Tuesday morning update:
It’s looking good:
And unlike elsewhere in the Alps it was easy to remove the snow from the car.
And then head to a resort with open lifts.
The weather though had closed in at the top as I reported in the updated PlanetSKI snow report:
It was pretty bleak but we had some wonderful powder snow as the visibility came in and out.
Most retired inside.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Later in the week we’re heading to nearby Kaunertaler and then on to Kuhtai, near, Innsbruck that opens on Friday.
It’s just so, so good to be back in the mountains – my natural habitat.
Pitztal, The Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Val Thorens, France. Image © PlanetSKI
