Resort 550m | Top Lift 2378m | Lifts 44
The first ski region in the Zillertal Valley the ‘Ski Optimal’ ski region includes Fugen, Hochfugen and Hochzillertal. Of these areas Fugen is a small locals and family ski area whilst Hochfugen and Hochzillertal make up the main Ski Optimal ski region. With a top lift height of 2378m and a vertical of nearly 2km (piste back to Kaltenbach) the height of the Ski Optimal area is impressive, especially as it is at the opposite end of the valley to the high altitude glaciers in the Zillertal Valley. One ski pass covers the Zillertal Valley so skiers and snowboarders can ski the entire Ski Optimal area as well as the other areas in the Zillertal Valley on one ski pass.
[ppmaccordion] [ppmtoggle title=”Hochfugen”]Resort 1472m | Top Lift 2378m | Lifts 36
Hochfugen is the satellite ski holiday resort of the valley village of Fugen, at the northern end of the Zillertal Valley. Hochfugen is lift and ski piste linked to the neighbouring Hochzillertal ski area to create a good sized ski area that has a creditable top altitude of nearly 2400m. 1000m or so beneath that is the ski-in, ski-out ski holiday resort of Hochfugen. Unlike many other ski holiday resorts in the Zillertal Valley Hochfugen doesn’t have a great doing there or going on away from the slopes, it is a purpose built high altitude resort with immediate access to the skiing but little else beyond hotels and a large car park. For convenience and snow reliability then Hochfugen is ideal. It is easily possibly for all average intermediate to ski over to the far side of the Hochzillertal area from Hochfugen and back in day and well worth the run out. At the far end of the Hochzillertal is the renowned Kristalhutte that serves exceptional food in superb surroundings. There is off-piste on offer in the Ski Optimal and some steepish piste skiing but generally the Ski Optimal ski region is best suited to intermediates.
[/ppmtoggle] [ppmtoggle title=”Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach”]Resort 558m | Top Lift 2378m | Lifts 36
The Hochzillertal is part of the Ski Optimal ski region, the first one to be reached up entering the Zillertal Valley from the North. Hochzillertal is adorned with Stephan Eberharter images and his name appears everywhere – he is their most famous ‘son’ (although he was born down the Innsbruck valley in Brixlegg.) The Stephan Eberharter downhill is the longest piste in the Ski Optimal ski region and completes what is an almost and very creditable 2km vertical descent into the village of Kaltenbach. The Hochzillertal is ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders and the area is lift and ski piste linked with the neighbouring ski area of Hochfugen. There is little tough terrain on the slopes of the Hochzillertal although there are a few sections of steep piste skiing. In the upper sections of both the Hochfugen and Hochzillertal ski area there is some good off-piste on offer in the right conditions. The Kristalhutte is the other big name in the Hochzillertal – serving exceptional food in a mountain hut that is surrounded by sculptures that also offers accommodation.
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