Glacier Skiing...

We've just found out we need to change our hol from beginning of March to 2nd April. I don't want to mess around worrying about snow cover so it seems logical to look at going to one of the glaciers. Picked Austria, basically because I love the Alpine villiage type atmosphere and really not liking the sound of prices in France and Switzerland.

Have been casually dipping in and out of researching Glacier skiing for a while, originally because I got caught by the idea of skiing in summer (which I'd still love to do). Seems there's a choice of 6 in Austria:-

Hintertux - best conditions Oct to June. Said to be one of the steeper galcier skiing areas, although the piste map is predominantly red with one black. Accomodation available close to base station.

Kaunertal - No accomodation anywhere near it. Seems to be ideal for freeriding, although pistes are described as 'gentle'.

Kitzsteinhorn - skiing until early summer. Accomodation in Kaprun or Zell. Runs look predominantly blue on the glacier piste map.

Pitztal - highest skiing in Austria. Mainly reds with about 2 or 3 blacks. They talk about having installed 'some' new lifts and planning more. The interactive piste map is not interactive so can't see if this means loads of drag lifts. Resort located at base of funicular.

Solden - looks like the biggest glacier skiing area available, although a lot of the runs higher up seem to be blue. Skiing split into two areas (Rettenbach and Tiefenbach) although they seem to be just two side of the same mountain. Accomodation away from the ski area in Solden itself.

Stubai - Accomodation usually away from the ski area. Appears to be very family/children orientated. Not really a problem, although they make such a big deal of it that in my mind I have a picture of ten kids to every adult. Limited steep skiing. Piste map shows around 50/50 reds and blues. Apparently has good snow in the main season - not sure if that means it's dubious for April.

Edit - Obergurgl - Adding here cos I have nowhere else to write it and even if I did I'd never find the piece of paper again.

Does anyone have experience of any of these places in April (or later)? Can you add anything to the info I have already? Am leaning towards Hintertux at the moment - accomodation close to lifts, and the mix/level of runs is relatively good.

Cheers all

You are going to find a lack of steep skiing on any glacier, by their very nature the slopes are going to be gentle and also limited.

You dont have to ski a glacier in April to have good snow. I skied in Verbier, the snow was excellent above 1500m.
Friends of mine ski Obergurgl every year, they have more powder in April than any other time.
I've also skied Serre Che in early April, amazing conditions.
St Anton and Tignes would be others I'd suggest.
With glacier resorts, you're more limited.
I'd go to Solden though.
Look at Ischgl too.

andyhull wrote:You are going to find a lack of steep skiing on any glacier, by their very nature the slopes are going to be gentle and also limited.

I havent skied too many glaciers, but what I skied on at Corvatsch last week was steep as stips.

Thanks Andy. That's ok, for me I don't care whether the runs are steep or gentle. I know MrEvs would prefer not to end up on blues all week though. The mix on Hintertux and Pitztal should be fine for us both.


Thanks Tony, I'll check those out. Out of interest why would Solden be your choice out of the ones I posted?

EmmaEvs wrote:Thanks Andy. That's ok, for me I don't care whether the runs are steep or gentle. I know MrEvs would prefer not to end up on blues all week though. The mix on Hintertux and Pitztal should be fine for us both.


Thanks Tony, I'll check those out. Out of interest why would Solden be your choice out of the ones I posted?

Its one of the resorts I'd ski in Austria, just happens to have a glacier. Its more like a "proper" ski area than just a glacier. Hintertux is a good shout, but it can be very bleak and its too close to Mayrhofen not to ski there, which is not usually open in April.
Solden is also close to Obergurgl, so you could do both.

Hmmm... interesting.

Obergurgl is on the list then, although I noticed you mentioned it can be expensive there. As it's... ahem... not exactly our only ski holiday this year I would prefer to pick somewhere with reasonable prices. MrEvs on the other hand seems to think that when we flush the toilet, a little pixie gathers up ten pound notes and puts them in the bank for us :roll:

Can I just check one thing too? You said Hintertux is too close to Mayrhofen not to ski there. Do you mean that because you know it's close and can't ski there that it would do your head in? :lol:

EmmaEvs wrote:

Can I just check one thing too? You said Hintertux is too close to Mayrhofen not to ski there. Do you mean that because you know it's close and can't ski there that it would do your head in? :lol:

Yep