Freeriding
Those who love untouched powder snow are in seventh heaven in Zillertal. The expansive freeride paradise with the finest powder and virgin deep-snow slopes promises a pure sense of freedom and great diversity. With more than 65 freeride runs, Zillertal is one of the biggest deep-snow paradises in the Alps. Exciting variants, runs and spectacular deep-snow slopes with between 1,000 and 2,000 metres of elevation difference are well-known by more than just insiders.
NOTE: In order to enjoy the experience freeriding to the full, the guided descent with a licensed freeride guide is recommended for all tours! At every ride you will find providers for guided freeride tours in Zillertal.
View a selection of Zillertal’s top lines:
Easy ride
Level of difficulty | easy ride |
Altitude difference | from 2450m to 1500m Descent: 950 m |
Exposition | westerly |
Max. incline | 35° |
Danger spot | none |
Best time | December to April |
Character | wide open slopes that also invite you to try some jumps |
Directions and parking | Fügen in Zillertal – Hochfügen – Hochfügen skiing area |
Lift & Ride | Ascent Zillertal shuttle – cross directly below the Marchkopf under the stadium and then descend in the area of the Holzalm Hochleger (you cross over it first by cable car), it is then best to cross over to the "Trau di Obi" ski run back to the skiing area |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 2224 – West Schwaz, Freeride Map Austria Zillertal |
Guided Freeride Tour | Wierer Stefan, www.zillertaler-bergfuehrer.at Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at |
Level of difficulty | easy ride |
Altitude difference | from 2263m to 1400m Ascent: 10 m altitude difference Descent: 870m altitude difference |
Exposition | easterly |
Max. incline | 35° |
Danger spot | Consideration for hikers and tobogganists |
Best time | December to March |
Character | Head to the Krummbachalm for a mountain snack over perfect slopes and steep light forests |
Directions and parking | Gerlos – Isskogel cable car |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Isskogel cable car – Ebenfeld Express chair lift – Steinmandl chair lift; Over initially steep but then moderately steep terrain eastwards towards the Nöckentalalm, then through the rather steep but light forest to the Krummbachalm. You get back to the skiing area using the winter hiking trail along the Krummbach |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 3219 – West Gerlos |
Guided Freeride Tour | Wierer Stefan, www.zillertaler-bergfuehrer.at Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at |
Level of difficulty | easy ride |
Altitude difference | from 2420m to 1500m Ascent: 190m altitude difference Descent: 920 m altitude difference |
Exposition | south-easterly, southerly, south-westerly |
Max. incline | 35° |
Danger spot | none |
Best time | December to March |
Character | Even, magical freeride experience over the south-western ridge |
Directions and parking | Gerlos – Isskogel cable car |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Isskogel cable car – Fussalm Express chair lift – Falschbach chair lift; A short, moderately steep hike to the summit of the Falschriedel, then head over its south-western ridge easterly down towards Falschalm and then follow the clearing to the Falschbach and back again to the skiing area, alternatively a shorter route is to leave the ridge eastwards at the level of the bottom station and head for the Falschbach lift's bottom station |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 3219 – West Gerlos |
Guided Freeride Tour | Wierer Stefan, www.zillertaler-bergfuehrer.at Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at |
Level of difficulty | easy ride |
Altitude difference | from 3100m to 2120m Descent: 980m altitude difference |
Exposition | northerly |
Max. incline | 35° |
Danger spot | none |
Best time | February to May |
Character | Moderately steep enjoyable slopes, also just for having a go |
Directions and parking | Mayrhofen – Tux – Hintertux- Hintertux Glacier cable car |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Glacier bus I, II and III to Gefrorene Wand then cross to the Kaserer drag lifts; head along the impressive rock faces and head from these at a respectful distance over flat terrain towards the drag lift bottom station, pass these and now head over bumpy terrain to the slope 600 metres below |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 2230 - West Hintertux Map of Austria / sheet 2229 – East Brenner |
Guided Freeride Tour | Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at Eder Christian, www.zillertal-alpin.at |
Moderate ride
Level of difficulty | moderately difficult ride |
Altitude difference | from 2350m to 1500m Ascent: 30m altitude difference Descent: 850 m altitude difference |
Exposition | south-easterly |
Max. incline | 40° |
Danger spot | The crossing under the avalanche barriers at the start and leaving Pfunds in the spring when the weather is too warm; consideration for hikers and tobogganists |
Best time | December to March |
Character | Named "The Superbowl" by Norwegian freeride pioneer, it is a great classic |
Directions and parking | Fügen in Zillertal – Hochfügen – Hochfügen skiing area |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Achteralm cable car, Pfaffenbichl chair lift; from the top station you cross eastwards under the avalanche barriers to the striking ridge, the descent initially begins southwards steeply for a short time and ends at the level of the Pfundsalm Mittelleger, now take the forest route and then later the toboggan run back to the Hochfügen skiing area |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 2224 – West Schwaz, Freeride Map Austria Zillertal North |
Guided Freeride Tour | Wierer Stefan, www.zillertaler-bergfuehrer.at Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at |
Level of difficulty | moderately difficult ride |
Altitude difference | from 2420m to 1700m Descent: 750m altitude difference |
Exposition | easterly, south-easterly |
Max. incline | 35° |
Danger spot | If the weather is coming from the south west (foehn) heavy deposits of avalanche snow, orientation on slope |
Best time | December to April |
Character | Incredibly attractive landscape, a relaxing change from everyday slopes |
Directions and parking | Hippach – Horberg cable car |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Horberg cable car – Tappenalm chair lift – 150 Tux cable car – Horberg chair lift; As soon as you get off the Horberg chair lift head eastwards into the long attractive Horbergkar that basically takes you on a ride through the valley to the Horbergbach. A short opposing climb leads westwards along the slope to the forest trail that is easy to recognise and takes you back to the skiing area |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 2230 - West Hintertux |
Guided Freeride Tour | Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at Eder Christian, www.zillertal-alpin.at Neumann Bernhard, www.mountain-sports-zillertal.com |
Level of difficulty | moderately difficult ride |
Altitude difference | from 3250m to 2200m Descent: 1050m altitude difference |
Exposition | north-westerly |
Max. incline | 40° |
Danger spot | First steep slope at the level of the Gefrorene Wand, entry into the Kleegrube; if the weather is coming from the south west (foehn) heavy deposits of avalanche snow |
Best time | February to May |
Character | Much underappreciated ride, riding in single file is necessary in particular on the steeper passages |
Directions and parking | Mayrhofen – Tux – Hintertux- Hintertux Glacier cable car |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Glacier bus I, II and III to Gefrorene Wand, you cross to the first steep slope over slope 4 above the new Gefrorene Wand cable car top station, which can also be clearly seen from the cable car. At the end of this slope enter the Kleegrube at a suitable place, this entry also requires a good eye and respectful behaviour, you can now enjoy your descent until the end of the wide glacier hollow. At the end of this keep 2100 m to the left to return to the ski run |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 2230 - West Hintertux Map of Austria / sheet 2229 – East |
Guided Freeride Tour | Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at Eder Christian, www.zillertal-alpin.at Neumann Bernhard, www.mountain-sports-zillertal.com |
Hard ride
Level of difficulty | difficult ride |
Altitude difference | from 2420m to 1700m Descent: 750m altitude difference |
Exposition | easterly |
Max. incline | 55° |
Danger spot | If the weather is coming from the south west (foehn) heavy deposits of avalanche snow, orientation on slope, extreme steepness |
Best time | December to April |
Character | Extreme lines and opportunities that you definitely don't have to be the first to have ridden |
Directions and parking | Hippach – Horberg cable car |
Lift & Ride | Ascent – Horberg cable car – Tappenalm chair lift – 150 Tux cable car; You immediately cross eastwards under the cable car top station and already have the extremely steep easterly terrain of the Wanglspitze before you, it is worth studying the face during the trip up on the cable car |
Map recommendation | Map of Austria / sheet 2230 – West Hintertux |
Guided Freeride Tour | Bacher Peter, www.rocknsnow.at Eder Christian, www.zillertal-alpin.at |
General safety info- The gradient specified is a general value; greater gradients are also possible depending on the selected route.
- However, 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 and avalanche probe 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 heading off-piste, you get truly up close and personal with nature. As a freerider, you should 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.
FREERIDE LEVELS
To have as much fun as possible, it’s important to correctly gauge your skills. Don’t overestimate yourself: freeriding is more demanding than skiing and snowboarding on pistes and your skills will quickly deteriorate as you get tired.
Find the right level for you and you’ll have more fun in powder.
- Level 1: you can easily handle all pistes and want to head out into the deep snow for the first time. Gradients of up to 35°; expansive, level and medium-steep runs; few obstacles.
- Level 2: you have already skied/boarded in powder and want to learn more surfing/freeriding techniques. Gradients of up to 39°; runs with obstacles, trees, bushes, rocks; chance to ride corridors.
- Level 3: you are familiar with off-piste skiing/boarding but want to master the best freeriding style in all types of snow and terrain. Gradients of up to 40°; rocky runs; short, tricky sections; mastery of all snow types.
- Level 4: you can surf all slopes and rock the perfect line. Steep passages are no problem. Your trained freeriding eye is focused on getting the best from the mountains. Gradients of over 45°; perfect mastery of all types of snow and terrain; no falls permitted on difficult sections.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
- Avalanche situation report: +43 512 581 839 503, www.lawine.tirol.gv.at
- Alpine emergency phone number from within Austria: 140 (Emergency App Bergrettung Tirol)
- European emergency number: 112
- Austrian Alpine Association: +43 512 587 828