Overview
Hintertux Glacier is one of the few ski areas in the world offering year-round skiing, perched high in the Austrian Alps at the end of the Zillertal Valley. As Austria's only year-round ski resort, it provides reliable snow conditions even when other resorts are closed, making it a popular destination for those seeking to extend their ski season.
The resort rises from a base elevation of 1500m to an impressive 3250m at its peak, offering a significant vertical drop and breathtaking panoramic views. It takes three gondolas to reach the summit, with Ben, an advanced skier from the UK, noting that you might want to "acclimatise yourself before going right to the top!"
Our Snomad community rates Hintertux highly with an overall rating of 4.44/5. The resort particularly shines for groomed runs (4.78/5), lift efficiency (4.67/5) and gets top marks for snowboarders (5.00/5).
The Skiing in Hintertux Glacier
Hintertux offers 20 runs in total, with a good distribution across ability levels: 8 beginner slopes, 10 intermediate runs, and 2 advanced pistes. The lift system is impressive, featuring 6 gondolas, 6 chairlifts, and 8 drag lifts. One Snomad community member liked that "the heated bubble chairs are great and the gondolas are speedy," though they also note that "being a glacier the majority of lifts are t bars."
The resort is particularly well-suited to intermediate and advanced skiers, with ratings for intermediates (4.00/5), advanced skiers (4.43/5) and experts (4.67/5) all impressive.
The glacier terrain creates unique skiing conditions. Nick from Croatia points out: "the slopes are well maintained although the fact that it is a glacier means there is often a covering of snow on sheet ice!" For those looking to venture beyond the marked runs, Hintertux offers decent off-piste opportunities (4.00/5).
A user who is an advanced snowboarder said Hintertux offers "such great views and a wonderful place to snowboard," while Matthew, an expert snowboarder from Canada, was "very impressed with the lift and gondola infrastructure" and found "the amount of area to explore was amazing."
Eating Out in Hintertux Glacier
Hintertux receives a solid score for eating out (3.88/5). Our users frequently mention the quality of mountain dining, with Graham, an advanced skier, highlighting the "excellent value for money in the restaurants."
The resort offers typical Austrian mountain fare, with Ian noting that "food in the restaurant is the usual fare for Austria." Louise appreciates the "good restaurants on the mountain," and John mentions that "lunch is available at a reasonable price."
The dining options seem to satisfy most visitors, with Frank praising the "awesome food and culture" while Anca from Romania simply states that the "food is great." For those staying longer, there are "plenty of restaurants" available according to Mark, an expert skier.
The Après-Ski in Hintertux Glacier
Hintertux scores respectably for après-ski (4.06/5), though it's not the wildest party destination in the Alps. Frank describes the après scene as "decent," while John mentions a "good atmosphere in the apres ski bars." Anca from Romania finds the "apres skis are very cozy."
Niko, an advanced skier from Slovenia, offers a more tempered view: "Not many bars available to go to, there is only one bar that has apres ski parties." For those seeking a livelier nightlife, Ben suggests: "Hintertux is not a massive apres scene and is a relatively small village, however 20 minutes down the valley is Mayrhofen. There are shuttle buses included with ski passes so anyone looking for a party should stay in Hof and use bus up to the ski zones in the morning."
Mark adds that "it's hard to miss the bars at the bottom for some fun Après," suggesting that while concentrated, the après options are accessible and enjoyable.
Hintertux Glacier Ski Resort, Austria for Families
Hintertux shines when it comes to family friendliness (4.31/5). The resort offers excellent ski school quality (4.25/5), making it an ideal spot for families with children learning to ski.
Frank simply states that Hintertux is "family friendly," while Marta notes there are "a few nice school options for beginners." Kirsty shares a more personal experience: "Been going since our daughter was 4 for amazing ski lessons, now 15, no need for lessons. Same hotel for 11 years, incredible staff, wonderful hotel Tirolerhof... genuine hospitality and ski area amazing."
The resort's wide, well-groomed pistes provide safe learning environments, and the variety of blue and red runs allows families with different ability levels to enjoy skiing together. The efficient lift system minimises waiting times, which is particularly beneficial when skiing with children.
Accommodation Options in Hintertux Glacier
Hintertux offers strong accommodation options (4.31/5) according to our community. Mark mentions that "there's a lot of variety of accom available," suggesting options to suit different budgets and preferences.
The accommodation tends to receive positive reviews, with Graham describing it as "great" and others mentioning specific long-term stays. John notes there are a "small number of fantastic hotels nearby," indicating quality over quantity in the immediate vicinity.
Most accommodation is located within reasonable distance to the lifts, and the free shuttle buses mentioned by several users make accessing the slopes convenient even if not staying slope-side. David specifically recommends to "use the free shuttle bus to get to and from the glacier gondola station."
The small village setting means most amenities are within walking distance, creating a convenient base for your ski holiday.
Environment and Sustainability in Hintertux Glacier
As a glacier resort, Hintertux faces unique environmental challenges. The resort has implemented several measures to protect its fragile alpine environment, including careful glacier management techniques and monitoring systems to track ice melt patterns.
Energy efficiency initiatives include modernising the lift system to reduce power consumption while maintaining the high lift efficiency (4.67/5) that users praise. The free shuttle bus service mentioned by several users helps reduce individual car journeys and associated emissions.
While specific environmental certifications aren't widely promoted, the resort's focus on year-round tourism rather than extensive expansion helps minimize additional infrastructure development on the sensitive glacier environment.

Hintertux Glacier Pros: Why the Snomad Community Loves It
Based on our Snomad community reviews, here are the top five favourite things about Hintertux:
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Year-round snow conditions - Many users highlight this as a major advantage. As Nick from Croatia explains, "it has snow all year and so is a good option for early and late season skiing when the other lower resorts have closed or not yet opened."
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Well-maintained slopes - Graham specifically mentions the "well-maintained slopes" as a standout feature, while Matthew, an expert snowboarder from Canada, notes that "the grooming was top notch."
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Efficient lift system - Anca from Romania praises how "cable cars work extremely well and there are no queues," while David calls it a "top notch lift system that's wind resistant."
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Breathtaking views - Matthew describes the views as "undeniably breathtaking," and Ben mentions the "awesome views on a clear day" from the top.
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Great for different skill levels - Several reviewers mention the variety of slopes. Marta notes "there are a lot of slopes for different levels," while Ben highlights "a good variety of blue and red runs which are great for learning new skills on, with a few blacks when you want a challenge."
Hintertux Glacier Cons: What Snomad Skiers Say Could Be Better
According to our Snomad community, here are the main drawbacks mentioned about Hintertux:
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Heavy snow conditions that make proper carving difficult - Niko, an advanced skier from Slovenia, mentions "the snow was too heavy to properly carv."
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Time-consuming lift journey to the peak - Marta points out that "it feels like it takes forever when travelling up to the peak, as the mountain is very high and the main gondolas are relatively slow."
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Limited après-ski options - One user notes that "there's not many bars available to go to, there is only one bar that has après-ski parties."
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The prevalence of T-bar lifts - Ben highlights that "being a glacier the majority of lifts are t bars," which some skiers find less comfortable.
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Sparse and poorly laid out piste markings - Freddie, an advanced skier, specifically mentions that "piste markings are very Austrian (sparse and poorly laid out)."
Recent Reviews
The slopes are generally empty apart from a few off piste areas that have training teams from different countries practising slalom.
Food in the restaurant is the usual fare for Austria.
Excellent value for money in the restaurants
Very friendly people
Accommodation great
Hintertux Glacier Resort Stats
Hintertux Glacier Travel Information
FAQs Skiers' Most Asked Questions
Hintertux Glacier FAQs: Skiers' Most Asked Questions
Is Hintertux Glacier snow-sure?
Yes, Hintertux Glacier is exceptionally snow-sure. As Austria's only year-round ski area, it provides reliable skiing conditions throughout all seasons. Our users consistently highlight the dependable snow quality, with Matthew noting "top-notch grooming" despite visiting slightly past peak conditions. Nick explains that "it has snow all year and is a good option for early and late season skiing when other lower resorts have closed or not yet opened." The high altitude (reaching 3250m) ensures excellent snow reliability even when lower resorts struggle.
What mountain range is Hintertux Glacier part of?
Hintertux Glacier Ski Resort is part of the Zillertal Alps, a mountain range within the Central Eastern Alps that straddles the border between Austria and Italy. The glacier sits at the head of the Tuxertal (Tux Valley), offering year-round skiing thanks to its high elevation, with the summit reaching 3,250m. One Snomad community member described it as "a wonder of the world that each skier has to experience at least once in a lifetime."
When does the ski season start and end in Hintertux Glacier?
Hintertux is Austria's only year-round ski resort. Our users consistently praise this glacier destination for its reliable snow cover across all seasons. As Nick, an advanced skier from Croatia notes, "Hintertux has snow all year and is a good option for early and late season skiing when other lower resorts have closed or not yet opened." Many Snomad community members particularly recommend April for excellent conditions with fewer crowds, and early December for winter season kick-off.
Is Hintertux Glacier good for beginners?
Hintertux offers decent options for beginners with 8 gentle runs, but it's better suited to more experienced skiers. While the glacier has some wide, well-groomed slopes for learning, the high altitude and predominantly intermediate terrain can be challenging for first-timers. Our users mention good ski schools with a rating of 4.25/5, though one Snomad community member noted that "the snow was too heavy to properly carve." Perfect for progressing beginners who've mastered the basics elsewhere.
Is Hintertux Glacier good for intermediate skiers?
Hintertux Glacier offers solid options for intermediate skiers with a score of 4.00/5 for intermediates. The resort features 10 intermediate runs that are well-maintained according to Snomad users. One user notes, "There are a lot of slopes for different levels" while another mentions the "good variety of blue and red runs which are great for learning new skills on." The wide, long pistes and excellent lift system create an ideal environment for intermediates to progress.
Is Hintertux Glacier good for advanced skiers?
Absolutely! Hintertux Glacier is fantastic for advanced skiers, scoring 4.43/5 for advanced skiers. Our users consistently highlight the variety of challenging terrain. Graham mentions the "well maintained slopes" while Nick notes it's "often a covering of snow on sheet ice" - perfect for those wanting to test their skills. The height (3250m top elevation) ensures good conditions, and Mark, an expert skier, calls it "easily one of the best glaciers in Europe."
Is Hintertux Glacier good for expert skiers?
Absolutely! Hintertux Glacier is brilliant for expert skiers, earning 4.67/5 for experts. With its high altitude (3250m summit) and year-round snow, the glacier offers challenging terrain that will test your skills. One Snomad user who's an expert skier described it as "easily one of the best glaciers in Europe." The resort features steep descents, moguls rated 3.31/5 for mogul fields, and excellent off-piste opportunities when conditions permit.
Is Hintertux Glacier good for non-skiers?
Hintertux Glacier has limited non-skier offerings compared to larger resorts. While the panoramic mountain views are breathtaking, as Matthew mentions, "the views were undeniably breathtaking," there aren't many dedicated non-skiing activities. Some users note the quality restaurants and "cozy après ski" venues (Anca). Most attractions revolve around skiing, making it better suited for groups where everyone skis or snowboards.
Is there snow at Christmas in Hintertux Glacier?
Yes, Hintertux Glacier typically has excellent snow conditions at Christmas. As a year-round glacier resort at high altitude (3250m top elevation), it's one of Austria's most snow-reliable destinations. Our users consistently mention the dependable snow, with Graham noting the "well-maintained slopes" and Frank describing it as "always lots of snow!" The resort's impressive groomed runs (4.78/5) rating reflects this reliability, making it a solid Christmas skiing option.
Where should I stay in Hintertux Glacier and what type of accommodation is available?
Hintertux offers a range of accommodation options, scoring 4.31/5 for lodging options. Most visitors stay in the small Hintertux village at the base of the glacier, where you'll find a handful of high-quality hotels. One Snomad community member mentioned staying "at the same hotel for 11 years, incredible staff, wonderful Hotel Tirolerhof... genuine hospitality." Many hotels are family-run with excellent facilities, and apartments are available for those wanting more independence.
What's the best way to get to Hintertux Glacier?
For international travellers, Hintertux Glacier is most easily reached via Innsbruck Airport (75km away) or Munich Airport (165km). From either airport, you can hire a car, book a private transfer, or use public transport. If opting for public transport, take a train to Jenbach, then connect to Mayrhofen by train or bus, followed by a bus to Hintertux. One Snomad community member from the UK mentioned that despite the journey, the "phenomenal" runs make it worth the trip.