Spring Skiing in the Tirol

20th February 2024

Last modified on February 27th, 2024

With longer days, sunnier slopes, and warmer temperatures, it’s one of our favourite times to ski. Late season skiing has a lot going for it and there are few places better than the Austrian Tirol.

Even if the low altitude ski resorts are not so good in Spring, there are five glaciers where conditions remain consistent into May.

Spring is also the time when lots of events are laid on so there’s plenty to do on and off the slopes.

Tirol Glacier Resorts

Sölden – open until 1st May
Pitztal – open until 5th May
Stubai – open until 20th May
Kaunertal – open until 20th May
Hintertux – open year round

Kaunertal, the Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

Kaunertal, Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI is putting its money where its mouth is (as always) and we are basing ourselves in Innsbruck from March 9th for 4 weeks.

We’ll likely extend into April too.

“My favourite time to ski is always March & April as resorts have a base, daylight hours are longer, snow usually falls in plentiful amounts, the sun shines brightly and the slopes do not see the huge crowds of the main holiday periods of Xmas, New Year and the February half-term holidays,” said PlanetSKI editor, James Cove.

“More people really should discover this time to be in the mountains.

“I utterly love it.”

Ski Juwel, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

So, what’s happening in the Tirol?

Freeriding

The Pitztal Wild Face, an extreme freeride event in March, has been held on the north face of the 3,159 metre high Mittagskogel since 2013.

In addition, numerous lines run through Pitztal, from the Swiss descent on the Mittelbergbahn over wide slopes, to steep gullies right next to the slope on the Hinterer Brunnenkogel.

The Kaunertal Glacier has 36 kilometres of off-piste slopes.

Favourites are the Nörderberg variant down to Fernergries and the Langtaufers variant to South Tyrol in Italy.

The Stubai Glacier is also one of the top freeride areas in the country.

In the Powder Department, there are 13 runs in open, unsecured terrain.

Finally, beginners and experts can enjoy 70 kilometres of off-piste options in Sölden.

Stubai, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

***Anyone freeriding should be aware of the risks. Aside from having a very good knowledge of the terrain, never go off-piste alone, always have appropriate equipment and know how to use it, be aware of Alpine dangers, and check the avalanche report and weather forecast before setting off. Latest avalanche information can be found here.

Freestyle

All five glacier resorts have snowparks, with kickers, jumps, pipes, rails and boxes.

Betterpark Hintertux is open from mid-April to mid-June, and is the highest and most snow-sure freestyle spot in Austria.

Snowpark Kaunertal is open from mid-April 2024. The longest jibline in the Alps can be found here.

From 24 March to 14 April 2024, Stubai Zoo has a large XL setup with pro, medium, jib and easy lines on the Gaiskarferner, making it one of the largest snow parks in the world.

Families

Younger kids can join a big Easter egg hunt in the snow on the Hintertux Glacier – find the colourful Easter eggs, solve the fun puzzle, and collect a sweet reward.

Older children can experience 600 horsepower at the snowcat test area in Hintertux at an altitude of 3,250 metres altitude. On selected days, guests can even try driving a snow groomer free of charge (under supervision).

Hintertux, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

For families wanting to introduce their kids to more wintersports, why not join the BIG Family event on Stubai Glacier?

Here, toddlers through to teenagers can try out the varied ski offerings including the BIG Family Slalom, the BIG Family Action Days and Boardercross and the Fun Slope.

The Stubai Glacier also offers free travel for children under 10 years of age (accompanied by a paying parent).

2024 Spring Events

1-3 March – Pitztal Wild Face & Freeride Race – 85 riders and four categories.

9-19 March – Kaunertal Freeride Days – demo the latest equipment and join freeride tours.

16-17 March – Freeride Testival on the Stubai Glacier – the social gathering for budding freeride skiers.

22 March – Open Air Concert in Hintertux – “Die Höhner” and “Bläck Fööss” will take to the stage.

TBC April – Pitztal Snow Festival – raise money and have a good time while celebrating the ski season

5 April – Hannibal, Glacier Spectacle at Rettenbach Glacier, Sölden. Hannibal’s historic Alpine crossing will be staged by the Lawine Torrèn artist network with snow groomers, airplanes, dancers, helicopters and extreme athletes.

8-12 April – Electric Mountain Festival in Sölden celebrates its 10^th anniversary – internationally known DJs of electric dance music such as John Newman, Mattn and Shany, among others, will be performing.

13-14 April – Freeride Contest on the Kaunertal Glacier – glacier descents, natural cliffs and untouched snow provide the backdrop for participants to showcase their freeride skills.

19-21 April – Champ of the Lake in Sölden – combine snow and water for a hilarious skiing event.

27-28 April – Välley Rälley in Hintertux – an amateur grass roots snowboard tour.