West Tirol snow forecast

Skiing in West Tirol

West Tirol covers the high resorts of the side valleys south-west of Innsbruck, several of them with glaciers. It has four sections: Paznaun, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, the Ötztal and the Stubai Valley. They are not lift-linked, and some are well over an hour apart by road.

Ischgl, in the Paznaun, shares the Silvretta Arena with Samnaun in Switzerland: about 239 km of pistes, mostly high, open red and blue terrain, with reliable snow from November into early May. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, on a sunny plateau above the Inn valley, has about 214 km of slopes and a reputation as Austria's leading family resort, with excellent children's areas and gentle cruising.

The Ötztal is the high-altitude heart of the area. Sölden's Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers, at about 2,675 to 3,250 m, open in late September or October and keep the season going to around early May. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, at the head of the valley, is one of the highest resorts in Austria, skiing up to about 3,080 m; it typically runs from mid-November to late April, with quiet, cold-snow intermediate terrain.

The Stubai Glacier, closest to Innsbruck, is Austria's largest glacier ski area, with about 70 km of runs and snow from late October to about June.

Innsbruck is the gateway by air and rail, with buses into each valley; Landeck serves the Paznaun and Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.