Pitztal

The roof of Tyrol

The Pitztal is a 40-kilometre-long southern side valley of the Inn River in the west of Tyrol. While the front part of the Pitztal with the municipalities of Wenns, Arzl and Jerzens has more of a low mountain character, the inner Pitztal with the municipality of St. Leonhard is characterised by steep mountain flanks and rugged peaks. Nestled between the Kaunergrat ridge in the west and the Geigenkamm ridge in the east, the Pitztal valley lies entirely in the Ötztal Alps. With more than 35 three-thousand-metre peaks and the Wildspitze, 3770 m, as the dominant elevation, the valley is considered the "roof of Tyrol".

Economy & Tourism

While the outer Pitztal with the communities of Arzl and Wenns has a mix of craft, trade and service businesses, Jerzens and St. Leonhard are strongly characterised by tourism.

Holidaymakers and locals alike will find the following in the three ski areas Pitztal Glacier, Rifflsee and Hochzeiger a wide range of leisure activities. With the opening of the Pitztal Glacier Ski Area in 1983, winter tourism in particular got going in the Pitztal. Numerous investments in accommodation facilities and an expansion of the tourism infrastructure were the result.

Besides alpine skiing, "soft tourism" is gaining more and more importance. Since 1998, the Kaunergrat Nature Park (Pitztal-Fließ-Kaunertal) and enjoys an increasing number of visitors every year.

Most beautiful ski tours Pitztal

The Pitztal has many great tours to offer for ski tourers. Guaranteed snow thanks to the altitude, a spectacular glacier landscape and relatively few crowds are reasons enough to come to Pitztal for ski touring. Those who want to discover the most beautiful Ski tours in the Pitztal is spoilt for choice:

Wildspitze, 3770m

The Ski tour on the Wildspitze is THE classic and one of the most beautiful high-altitude ski tours in the Eastern Alps. This is due on the one hand to the moderate ascent of 800 metres in altitude, which is feasible as a day tour thanks to the Pitztal glacier cable car. On the other hand, the ski tour to the Wildspitze is very varied. After an entertaining ascent over wide glacier areas, there is a breezy finale on the rocky ridge before the 2000-metre-long descent over the Taschachferner into the valley.

• Ascent: 800 hm
• Departure: 2000 Hm
• Walking time: approx. 3 h

K2, 3253 m

The K2 in the Rifflsee area is one of the most popular ski tours in the rear Pitztal valley. Even though you have to have a bit of stamina for the approximately 1000 metres of ascent, you are finally rewarded at the summit with an impressive panorama all the way to the Wildspitze. After the Rifflsee cable car takes you up the first 600 metres of ascent, you soon leave the small skiing area and climb first over undulating terrain, then over the flat Löcherferner glacier to the ski depot. The last few metres are on foot to the summit. A few entertaining variations are possible on the descent.

• Ascent: 1000 Hm
• Departure: 1600 hm
• Walking time: approx. 4-5 h

Left Fernerkogel, 3277 m

The Linker Fernerkogel towers as a fantastic panoramic mountain high above the Mittelbergferner. With the glacier ski area as the starting point, the metres of ascent are reduced to a very bearable level. On the other hand, the descent over the northern flank and the hanging Ferner is enticing, usually with good snow conditions.

• Ascent550 hm
• Departure: 1600 hm
• Walking time: approx. 3-4 h

Accommodation tips Pitztal

From the simple bed and breakfast to the four-star superior hotel. With almost 8000 guest beds, the Pitztal has something to offer for every taste.

Hotel Sonnblick ****

Family run hotel by the Rainer family in Plangeross. Especially the convenient location in direct proximity to the glacier cable car and the fantastic cuisine inspire in the house.

Plangeross 45, 6481 St. Leonhard im Pitztal

T +43 5413 86204
E hotel@sonnblick-pitztal.at
W www.sonnblick-pitztal.net

Organic Hotel Stillebach

As the only Organic hotel in the Pitztal the Biohotel Stillebach focuses on a 100% organically certified food and beverage offer. Sustainability is a top priority at the Biohotel. As a climate-neutral hotel and nature park designer, the Biohotel takes active measures to reduce its climate footprint and to further develop the habitat in the Pitztal in a sustainable way.

Stillebach 83, 6481 St. Leonhard in the Pitztal Valley

T +43 (0) 5413 87206
E info@stillebach.at
W www.stillebach.at

Hotel-Garni Romantika

For over 20 years, Erika and Albert Kirschner have run the Hotel-Garni Romantika in Piösmes, which is now classified with three stars. With Helena, the next generation is already waiting in the wings. Over the years, the Romantika has constantly improved its comfort and facilities, so that today nothing stands in the way of a carefree holiday experience. As part of the Pitztal's Clean Alpine Region initiative, the Romantika is committed to sustainability and climate protection and has taken active measures to reduce its carbon footprint per overnight stay.

Piösmes 202, 6481 St. Leonhard - Pitztal

T +43 5413 87371
E info@romantika-pitztal.at
W www.romantika-pitztal.at