Hochzillertal Ski Resort (SKI Optimal)

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Hochzillertal - SKI Optimal Austria
Hochzillertal - SKI Optimal Austria
Hochzillertal ski resort
Hochzillertal ski resort
Skiing above Hochfϋgen the resort
Skiing above Hochfϋgen the resort's highest village
Wimbachexpress gondola opened up new terrain for season 18-19 at Hochzillertal
Wimbachexpress gondola opened up new terrain for season 18-19 at Hochzillertal
Hochzillertal alpine ski terrain toward the Wedelexpress chairlift
Hochzillertal alpine ski terrain toward the Wedelexpress chairlift
The Zillertalbahn train takes passengers from Jenbach to Hochzillertal valley bases.
The Zillertalbahn train takes passengers from Jenbach to Hochzillertal valley bases.
Zillertalbahn stations at Fϋgen (pictured) & Kaltenbach are close to the Hochzillertal ski lifts
Zillertalbahn stations at Fϋgen (pictured) & Kaltenbach are close to the Hochzillertal ski lifts
Hochzillertal skiing
Hochzillertal skiing
Expansive freeride ski terrain at Hochzillertal
Expansive freeride ski terrain at Hochzillertal
Hochzillertal has numerous excellent mountain huts & restaurants
Hochzillertal has numerous excellent mountain huts & restaurants
Some of the spectacular food at the Wedelhütte mountain restaurant
Some of the spectacular food at the Wedelhütte mountain restaurant
Fun freeride terrain below the new Wimbachexpress gondola at Hochzillertal
Fun freeride terrain below the new Wimbachexpress gondola at Hochzillertal
Ski Hochzillertal Austria
Ski Hochzillertal Austria
Hochzillertal piste terrain in the late afternoon
Hochzillertal piste terrain in the late afternoon
Hochzillertal skiing
Hochzillertal skiing
Hochzillertal has expansive freeride terrain for the adventurous
Hochzillertal has expansive freeride terrain for the adventurous
Hochzillertal ski resort Austria
Hochzillertal ski resort Austria
Hochzillertal ski resort Austria
Hochzillertal ski resort Austria
Hochzillertal skiing from the high alpine to the valley at Kaltenbach
Hochzillertal skiing from the high alpine to the valley at Kaltenbach
Smile & ski Hochzillertal
Smile & ski Hochzillertal

Hochzillertal Ski Resort (SKI Optimal)

Readers Ratings

Hochzillertal Kaltenbach

Hochzillertal Kaltenbach4/51
Hochzillertal Kaltenbach4 out of 5 based on 1 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Ski Tours in Europe

Nearby Ski Resorts

Hintertux Glacier
Mayrhofen
Zillertal Arena

Hochzillertal Maps & Stats

     Hochzillertal Ski Trail Map
  • Hochzillertal Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    600m - 2.400m (1,800m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    Unknown
  • Lifts (39)
    6 Gondolas
    11 Chairs

    Incl. Spieljoch - 49 lifts
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Late Nov to Mid-April
    7:30am to 4:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 91km
    Longest run - 11km
    Advanced - 22%
    Intermediate - 46%
    Beginner - 32%

    Incl. Spieljoch - 112km
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 22/23
    Valid Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch
    Adult - €65.50
    Child - €29.50
    Child u/6yr - Free

    2 days+ = Zillertal Super Ski Pass
    Valid in all Zillertal valley ski resorts
    Zillertal Super Ski Pass Map
  • Zillertal Super Ski Pass Map

Hochzillertal Ski Resort Austria

Hochzillertal ski resort is a popular freeride destination above the towns of Kaltenbach & Fügen in the Zillertal valley of the Tyrol. It delivers some delectable Austrian alpine goodness. Close to the world's best ski city, Innsbruck, Hochzillertal has all the ingredients for a superb ski holiday.

The Ski-Optimal ski region of Hochzillertal-Hochfϋgen-Spieljoch has a combination of a super-modern & expanding lift system, huge skiable vertical, family friendliness, wonderful restaurants, awesome places to stay in the valley (& on the mountain), plus freeride powder terrain to keep even the biggest snow snobs (i.e. me!) very happy.

Pros & Cons for Hochzillertal Ski Resort

Pros

  • Huge skiable vertical.
  • Ultra-modern & efficient lift system.
  • Short lift lines.
  • Excellent range & length of on-piste trails for all levels.
  • Loads of super freeride off-piste terrain, including trees.
  • Typically fun Austrian après ski.
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation on the mountain & loads of options in the valleys.
  • Good value lift pass price linked with the other Zillertal ski resorts.
  • Easy public transport access from Innsbruck or Munich by train/bus & ample free car parking for day trippers right at the lifts.
  • Wonderful child-minding facilities (incl for very young babies), at incredibly reasonable prices.

Cons

  • Low elevation base areas in the Ziller valley are often devoid of natural snow early & late in the season, with runs relying solely on snowmaking (if in doubt just download on a gondola).
  • A few of the major on-piste trails get very busy on weekends & can be bumped up accordingly.
  • Vehicle traffic in the Zillertal can be bedlam at the start & end of the week/weekend (take the train, or if driving, leave and/or arrive late/early).

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • No strong, central village & the two major villages in the valley are spread out away from the lift bases.
  • With so much on offer, you may never want to leave the Zillertal.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Any ski resort with a skiable vertical of nearly 1,800m, longest run of 11km, a total of 112km of trails and 49 ski lifts is nothing to be sneezed at! Split between two distinct sectors, most of the lifts & the best terrain resides above Kaltenbach - from Hochzillertal to Hochfuegen.

Terrain wise, novices are well-catered for in the mountain station area above Kaltenbach, and the base area around Hochfuegen. Intermediates can range far and wide across the entire resort on typically wide, impeccable Austrian pistes. (Note that toward the end of the day, some runs funnelling back toward the mountain station above Kaltenbach can become quite busy & bumped.) Advanced riders will love the off-piste chutes from Wimbachexpress, the steeps under the Wedel chair & Zillertal Shuttle gondola, plus the expansive lift-accessed backcountry terrain in the high valley above Hochfϋgen. The longest run in the Zillertal valley is the 11km, 1,800m vertical drop from the top of the Wimbachexpress down to Aschau-im-Zillertal. It requires a bus/train shuttle to get back to the lifts in Kaltenbach.

The trail map gives only a hint of the off-piste freeride terrain available. See the Hochzillertal ski trail map.

The 39 ski lifts at Hochzillertal-Hochfϋgen are a procession of modern high-volume chairs & gondolas, plus loads of novice, children & family friendly surface tows and conveyors. A further 10 lifts operate in the neighbouring Spieljoch. We loved that the last lift installed before we visited, the high altitude Wimbachexpress gondola, serves mostly advanced off-piste terrain from its top station. Also on the books is the final piece in the local puzzle; a proper lift connection between the Hochzillertal/Hochfuegen-Kaltenbach and Spieljoch-Fϋgen sectors with a wind stabilised 3s tri-cable 28-person gondola called the Top of the Alps.

Lift Pass

All single day lift passes are valid in the ski areas encompassed by Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen-Spieljoch. All multi-day lift tickets of 2-days duration or more include the other Zillertal ski areas of Mayrhofen, Hintertux Glacier & Zillertal Arena. All are connected by train or free ski bus, making the valley a ‘one stop shop’ for a huge ski holiday.

Where is Hochzillertal Austria?

Hochzillertal is in the Zillertal (Ziller valley) of Tirol (Tyrol) state, Austria. The ski resort is either 51km (Fϋgen), 58km (Kaltenbach) or 65km (Hochfϋgen) east of Innsbruck. By rental car it takes about 50min to reach Fϋgen from Innsbruck airport, slightly longer for the other villages.

Closest major international gateway airports are Munich (MUC) & Zurich (ZRH), with the airport at Innsbruck (INN) providing access from flights within Europe & the UK only. Travel to the Zillertal is easy by road or rail from all airports. Munich airport is only 165km (2hr) drive north of Kaltenbach at the base of Hochzillertal.

The closest major train station to Hochzillertal is Jenbach from where the Zillertalbahn chugs its way up the valley to Fϋgen & Kaltenbach. The 32km long Zillertal Railway (Zillertalbahn) runs regularly on every day of the ski season from Jenbach railway station all the way through to Mayrhofen. Public buses also make the journey, but less regularly & with less dignity!

Search & book all train tickets to Jenbach, Fϋgen or Kaltenbach.

Anyone that has an aversion to sharing transport with the great unwashed (it’s true that I can smell a bit on a train after a good day in the snow), consideration should be given to getting a private transfer. Private transfers are a fast & efficient way to get to the skiing from the airport, a major city or (heaven forbid!), a major train station. They are also cost effective for groups of 3 or more people.

Search & book all private transfers to Hochzillertal.

Hochzillertal Accommodation

Down in the Zillertal, the two main centres for ski region are the towns of Kaltenbach & Fϋgen. Higher into the mountains the most ideal location to ski the resort is Hochfϋgen. All three have direct ski lift & trail links. The small village of Aschau im Zillertal has ski trails leading to it from the resort, but no lift link back up. A free ski-bus connects all the villages. Anyone with a car can comfortably stay anywhere as the free car parks near the lifts allow simple access to the slopes.

Away from the villages, there are a few isolated (at night anyway) mountain hotels above Kaltenbach that provide the quintessential Austrian ski experience. The Berggasthof Platzlalm is near the top station of the Kaltenbach gondola & has commanding views across the valley. Minimum 3-night stays provide enough time to sample the entire resort without ever setting foot in the valley.

Kaltenbach is the most central valley town to Hochzillertal. With all services & facilities, a Zillertalbahn train station, plus a plethora of accommodation options, Kaltenbach can be a good place to stay. Base facilities & ski lift access to the entire resort is only a short walk, drive or bus ride away from any accommodation.

Search & book all Kaltenbach accommodation.

Fügen is the second choice of the main valley villages. Whilst it has similar services & facilities to Kaltenbach (including a Zillertalbahn railway station), the lift access from the edge of town ends up too distant from the better parts of the resort.

Search & book all Fϋgen accommodation.

For a true snow village experience, Hochfϋgen is the prime location for an overnight stay. A number of stellar hotels are within this isolated valley surrounded by peaks, lifts, ski runs & a huge car park (which is fantastic for day visitors!).

Search & book all Hochfϋgen ski accommodation.

One of our favourite ski villages in the Zillertal is lively Mayrhofen. Travel by train or bus to get to Hochzillertal.

Family Friendly

Great news for visitors with very young children. Hochzillertal has child minding (kindergarten) facilities for babies as young as 6 months for incredibly cheap rates. Called the Zwergerl Club, it is located at the Mountain View gondola station (1,760m) above Kaltenbach. Be sure to book the day before (until 4pm) by contacting the Zwergerl Club by phone (Tel. +43 5283 28745) or at the tourist office (Tel. +43 5288 62262).

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski rentals are available in several Hochzillertal villages. Powderhounds partners have convenient ski & snowboard equipment rental locations in Hochfϋgen & Fϋgen. Receive a discount when you search & book via ourHochzillertal Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

An amazing number of ski guides & instructors ply their trade in the Zillertal region & ski resorts at Hochzillertal, Mayrhofen & Hintertux Glacier. A good mountain guide can make all the difference to an off-piste powder day in an unfamiliar ski resort or backcountry area. For options, see our Hochzillertal Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Nearby Ski Resorts

Hochzillertal is in the heart of a major Austrian ski region (….. the entire country is a major ski region!!). Skiing all year round at Hintertux Glacier, classic terrain at Mayrhofen, & the enormous Zillertal Arena are lift pass linked with Kaltenbach - Hochzillertal/Hochfuegen (SKI Optimal). All the Innsbruck ski resorts are close. Same goes for Alpbachtal Wildschönau. The massive ski areas of Ski Welt & Kitzbühel-Kirchberg are only a train ride away What an awesome country to ski & snowboard.

Review

The Powderhounds briefly reviewed Hochzillertal in March 2019 (strangely enough under a bit of sufferance) and found it to be a fantastic skiing area full of freeride adventure opportunities, great Austrian traditions but with the family friendly modern lifts, pistes & facilities one comes to expect from the great Austrian ski resorts. Read our review by clicking the review links above & in the left column.

See how Hochzillertal-Hochfuegen compares to the rest of the European ski resorts on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

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Tours in or near Hochzillertal
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