The review Kaunertal Glacier was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
With 38 km of runs, the Kaunertal Glacier is considered amongst the small to medium-sized ski resorts in Austria.
Altitude difference
958 m (Valley 2150 m - Mountain 3108 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
8
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 4 ← 2
Slope offering, variety of runs
The runs on the glacier are mainly easy. More challenging are the runs going down to Ochsenalm and the Karlesjoch lift. There is also always the possibility of making a side trip into the deep snow.
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
36 km
The ski routes lead to the Ochsenalm and along the Langtaufer Valley to Italy (only way back is by taxi - 90 km). The ski route is a variation which should only be attempted with a mountain guide.
Run location
Glacier, above tree line
Worth knowing
- Public race course with time measurement
The majority of the runs on the Kaunertal Glacier can be accessed with two four-person chair lifts with covers and a modern 8-person gondola lift with seat heaters. Five t-bars connect the rest of the runs.
Total capacity
13200 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
10.4 km Total
The glacier ski area offers a very high degree of snow security. In addition, snow-making is available up to the mountain station of the Karlesjoch lift at 3108m and from the edge of the glacier to the Ochsenalm 1 lift.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
40 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is always open when ski resort is open; without the valley run, ski operation is not possible.
Season 2009/2010
270 Days open
Season 2010/2011
290 Days open
The slope preparation is excellent.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
The drive up to the Kaunertal Glacier is an experience in itself. You will need about an hour from the highway. From the toll station in the valley, it is about 26km to the parking lot at 2750m. The toll is included in the ski pass.
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Ausfahrt Reschen
Ochsenalmbahn 1 (Kaunertal), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 46 km · approx. 52 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available,
Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Karlesjochbahn (Kaunertal), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 52 km · approx. 60 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available,
Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot,
free of charge
Winter Closure
The Kaunertal Glacier Road is open the whole year.
Orientation (trail map, information boards, sign-postings)
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts both the Kaunertal Glacier and the Fendels ski resort together. The drive to the glacier and the individual runs and lifts are described well.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
The runs are well-marked and the markings are a narrow distance from each other so that even in the fog, you can find your way on the glacier. It would be helpful if signs or trail maps were to be added at the intersections.
The entire ski resort makes a well-maintained impression.
Environmentally friendly ski operation
They place a high value on gentle tourism in Kauerntal. The glacier ski resort is easily accessible per bus. In order to protect the glacier, it is partially covered.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
The staff is friendly and is also helpful to skiers boarding the t-bars.
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
On the glacier, there is only the Weisssee Glacier Restaurant with self-service. At the valley station of the Ochsenalm 1 lift, the Ochsenalm also serves food and drinks.
2 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Those looking for the party scene at the Kaunertal Glacier will not be successful. It is more calm and cozy here. After the winter sports day, an umbrella bar and a large sun terrace invite you for a drink at 2750m.
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
The nearest accommodations are located about 30km away from the glacier in Feichten in the Kaunertal.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are no accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Feichten
Distance to ski resort more than 20 km
Guest beds 1900
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Peace and nature within a grand environment characterize the Kaunertal Glacier as an ideal family ski resort. Children up to 10 years old ski free when accompanied by a parent. The Bibi children's area is located at 2750m next to the parking lot and is open during the main season (December until April). Playground equipment is available for the children the whole year through. Most of the runs are suitable for the entire family and are even OK for the little ones. There is also a special children's menu in the restaurant.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Child friendly access to lifts
Special tips for children
The Kaunertal Glacier is ideal for beginners. You can ski from the highest point down to the Ochsenalm lift on easy slopes. The runs are wide and it is a great place to learn to ski.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
Ski schools on-site
Advanced skiers, freeriders
The difficult runs are limited, but there are some freeriding possibilities on the way down to the Ochsenalm and from the Karlesjoch lift. On the glacier, you should not ski off-piste due to the crevasses. The Weissseejoch and Zollhaus variations to the Ochsenalm lift middle station are also interesting. There is also the Muenchner variation from Noerderjoch to the Gepatschhaus. From here however, you must take a bus back. For freeriding freaks - the variation to South Tyrol in the Langtaufer Valley is available. WARNING - you will need a transfer back from there (90km).
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- no extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
36 km
The ski routes lead to the Ochsenalm and along the Langtaufer Valley to Italy (only way back is by taxi - 90 km). The ski route is a variation which should only be attempted with a mountain guide.
Most difficult run
-
Karlesjoch · Length 1 km · Altitude difference 350 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
The Kaunertal Glacier is well-known on the snowboarding scene. The season openings take place here every year in the Snowpark Kaunertal. The park leaves no wish unanswered. When the snow levels are sufficient, the superpipe is also set up.
Information for Snowboarders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
Snowpark KaunertalThe Snowpark Kaunertal offers everything you could wish for in a snowpark. The Schneestern company shapes the park freshly every day.
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- No cross-country trails available
There are no tracks on the Kaunertal Glacier.
Conclusion
Wide runs, snow secure
Long distance from the valley to the glacier
Test Report issued on 2011-10-25
Highlights
Slope offering, run variety
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
Top ski regions • Tips for the ski holiday