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SKIING

Is skiing still possible on Austria’s glaciers?

The hot summer in Austria this year was bad news for some glaciers. What does it mean for the winter season? And is skiing still possible on Austria's glaciers?

Is skiing still possible on Austria’s glaciers?
Alpine sport fans in Austria have reason to greet November's colder temperatures, with many ski resorts now opening. (Photo by Oscar Due Wang / Pexels)

For many winter sports enthusiasts, skiing or snowboarding down a glacier is a must-do activity, and there are plenty of opportunities for that in Austria.

Or at least there were until recent years when warmer temperatures started to impact these large bodies of ice on Austria’s mountains.

In fact, the summer of 2022 had such an impact on Dachstein in Styria that there will be no lift operation on the glacier for the coming winter season.

READ MORE: Reader question: Is travelling to Austria this winter worth it?

The main reason for this is that the melting ice has affected the structural integrity of the supports for the T-bar lift, reports Der Standard.

For the lifts to open, Georg Bliem, Managing Director of the Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen, said: “We would have to move the supports by five metres and close the crevasses on the slopes.

However, Bliem added it was a “huge effort” to move the supports and there was no way to guarantee what the conditions would be like next year.

Typically the ski area has three drag lifts and one double chair lift in operation during the winter. But industry leaders are pessimistic that the glacier can be revived, which means skiing at Dachstein Gletscher (glacier) could be over for the foreseeable future.

FOR MEMBERS: What to expect from the ski season in Austria this winter

Additionally, Mölltaler Glacier in Tyrol is not opening until the official start of the winter season on November 18th. Usually the ski season at the glacier starts in October but the weather has been too warm.

So what about other glaciers in Austria? Are they still open for skiing? 

Thankfully, for winter sports fan, the answer is yes.

Here’s what you need to know about the autumn/winter 2022/23 season at Austria’s glaciers.

Should you cancel your trip to Austria this winter? (Photo by Daniel Frank on Unsplash)

Hintertux

Winter ski operations at Hintertux Glacier in Tyrol officially started on 15th October. However, this resort boasts all-year skiing and even has 20 km of pistes in operation during the summer months.

Lifts at Hintertux are currently in use from 8.15am to 4.30pm and a full day adult ski pass costs €65.

Kitzsteinhorn

The winter season started at the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier on October 7th. Prior to the opening, the 80cm snow cover was described as “quite impressive” in the Salzburger Nachrichten.

Kitzsteinhorn is Salzburg’s only glacier ski resort and has pistes up to 3,000 metres above sea level. The operators have a modern snowmaking management system that helps to regulate the conditions on the slopes.

The Gletscherjet gondola is currently in operation at Kitzsteinhorn from 8.15am to 4.30pm and further lifts will open from December. The cost of an adult day pass is €64.

READ NEXT: Discover Austria: How to make the most of 24 hours in Innsbruck

Sölden

The glacier ski area is also open in Sölden in Tyrol where the Alpine World Cup event was recently held to kick off the downhill ski race season.

The altitude at Sölden ranges from 1,350 metres to 3,340 metres. The glacier ski area across the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers covers 34.5 km.

The Gaislachkogl cable car is currently open from 8am to 4.45pm and the cost of an adult day ski pass is around €60 (the price fluctuates depending on the date).

Stubai

The autumn ski season at Stubai Glacier, near Innsbruck in Tyrol, started on 26th September. The Snow Park, known as Stubai Zoo, will open on November 4th with a special three-day event.

There are 11 lifts in operation at the resort from 8am to 4pm. An adult day ski pass at the Stubai Glacier costs €56.

Pitztal

At the Pitztal Glacier (Austria’s highest glacier at 3,440 metres), the slopes have been open since October 1st. Together with the Rifflsee ski area, there are 67 km of slopes at Pitztal.

Currently, the cost of a one day adult ski pass varies from €41 to €58. It’s possible to find cheaper tickets by booking ahead – sometimes up to 30 percent off.

The ski area at Pitztal is in operation from 7am to 1.30pm. From December 17th it will be open daily from 8.30am to 4pm. 

Kaunertal

The Kaunertal Glacier in Tyrol (at 2,750 metres above sea level) opened for skiing on 15th October, including the resort’s snow park for freeriding.

There are three lifts operating at Kaunertal from 8.15am to 4pm. The cost of a one day adult ski pass starts at €41 and Kaunertal uses the same ticket pricing system as Pitztal, so it’s possible to save 30 percent by booking ahead.

FOR MEMBERS: 29 ways to save money in Austria (but still have fun)

(Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP)

How much is climate change impacting Austria’s glaciers?

While the winter season is well underway at most of Austria’s glaciers, experts have been warning for years that the Dachstein Glacier is quickly retreating.

A recent report by Der Standard says the snow at the glacier is currently five metres less than what it should be and people are advised to avoid the area or use a mountain guide.

Elsewhere in Austria, scientists are concerned that most glaciers in the country are losing more ice in summer than they are gaining in winter, which is speeding up the overall ice melt.

And according to the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA), temperatures in Europe’s highest mountains have risen by nearly two degrees Celsius in the past 120 years almost double the global average.

What this will mean for skiing on Austria’s glaciers in the future is yet to be seen. But many glacial resorts are already planning to end the winter season early in 2023 to save energy and protect the glaciers.

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DISCOVER AUSTRIA

IN PICTURES: Austria’s five most impressive waterfalls

Austria's many dramatic waterfalls offer a perfect escape during the warm summer days.

IN PICTURES: Austria's five most impressive waterfalls

Austria not only offers mountains and crystal-clear lakes but also many dramatic and tall waterfalls worth exploring.

On a hot summer day, visiting a waterfall to enjoy cooler temperatures and natural beauty can be a great idea.

Krimml Waterfalls

These are Austria’s largest and most famous waterfalls. When combined, they have a total height of about 380 meters.

You find the falls in High Tauern National Park, where you can reach them via a well-maintained hiking trail.

The hiking trail leads you through a beautiful alpine landscape with dense forests and rugged cliffs. Along the way, you will find many viewpoints where you can rest on benches and enjoy stunning views of the region.

The best time to visit the waterfalls is during the summer months when the water volume peaks due to snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. It is also an ideal time to visit if you want to escape hot temperatures elsewhere.

Many people also spend time by the waterfalls due its believed health benefits. The high volume of water and cascading nature of the falls produce fine aerosols known to have a positive effect on respiratory health.

You can read more about the falls here.

Krimml waterfalls are a great place to visit if you want to cool down during the warmer months. Photo by Abdulrhman Alkhnaifer on Unsplash

Stuibenfall

Stuibenfall is Tyrol’s largest waterfall and is located in the Ötztal Valley. It drops over several levels, with a total height of about 159 meters.

The waterfall drops from a steep cliff and creates a cascade of water that can be heard and felt from long distances. During peak flow periods, such as in spring or after heavy rainfall, the waterfall is known to show its full force.

Ölztal Valley is famous for its beauty, high mountains, deep valleys, and alpine meadows. The valley offers many different hiking trails and great viewpoints.

You can start your hike up to the waterfall from the cute nearby village Umhausen.

Stuibenfall is Tyrol’s largest waterfal and a popular place to enjoy the nature. Photo by Jaakko Kemppainen on Unsplash
 

Golling Waterfall

This famous waterfall is located in the region of Salzburg. It is about 75 meters tall and cascades down in two main drops from a rocky cliff.

You can get to the waterfalls by a hike starting in the small town of Golling an der Salzach. From there you can explore a well-marked trail through a beautiful alpine landscapes with views of the Salzach Valley.

The waterfall is a popular spot, especially during summer, where you can enjoy the refreshing temperature and calmness of the nature around. 

The town of Golling also offers a lot to experience. Here you can visit the historic Golling Castle (Schloss Golling) and enjoy a walk or a picknick in Bluntautal Valley (Bluntautal).

While visiting Golling waterfall you can also enjoy the many hiking trails in Salzach Valley. Photo by Diane Theresa Hendrick on Unsplash

Liechtensteinklamm Waterfall

You find this beautiful waterfall near the small town St. Johann im Pongau in the region of Salzburg.

There is an official path to the waterfall which leads you through the narrow Liechtenstein gorge. Along the way, you will pass several other smaller waterfalls until you reach Liechtensteinklamm Waterfall, the largest one.

The gorge is one of the longest and deepest in the Alps, with ravines that are around 300 meters deep.

The hiking path to the waterfall will take you through many smaller waterfalls, impressive mountain peaks, steep cliffs, and of course, a lot of thundering water.

From the entrance of the gorge, the hike will take you about one and a half hour (roundtrip). The great thing is that the return path is not the same as the one to get there.

 
 
 
 
 
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Kesselfall 

Kesselfall is a series of waterfalls located in a beautiful gorge near the town of Kaprun in the region of Salzburg.

The falls are part of a popular hiking route, Kesselfall Almweg, which goes alongside the rushing waters of the waterfall. The path offers beautiful views with water flowing through a landscape of rocks and forests.

Apart from the hiking path to the waterfall, you can explore a wide range of other well-marked trails in the area. You can find trails of all levels for both hiking and biking  The region is known for its beauty, high mountains, meadows, and forests.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Adéla Korejsová Bechyňská (@adelakorejsovabechynska)

READ MORE: Four Austrian national parks worth paying a visit

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