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Press Contact
In our press area you will find the latest press releases from the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn & Rifflsee.
For detailed information or any queries, please contact:
Pitztaler Gletscherbahn GmbH & Co KG
6481 St. Leonhard im Pitztal / Österreich
T +43 5413 862 88
marketing@tirolgletscher.com
Latest press releases
Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee
NEXT AUSTRIAN SNOWBOARD HERO 2024
For the 11th time, Snowboard Austria invited 100 young riders aged 7-14 to the season finale.
Due to the mild temperatures, the final was moved from the Reiteralm to the Pitztal, where the kids found perfect conditions to crown the NASH 2024.
15th Pitztal Wild Face
From 01 – 02 MAR, the 15th anniversary edition of the Pitztal Wildface took place on the Pitztal Glacier in fantastic weather. At this spectacular freeride event, a total of almost 100 riders took on the challenge of competing for time on the steep slope of the Mittagskogel.
Alpine skiing stars prpare for the world cup at THE HIGHEST IN TIROL
The countdown is on! On 28 October 2023, the kick-off for the FIS Ski World Cup 2023/2024 will take place in Sölden. Around two weeks before the start of the season, the World Cup teams are training on the Pitztal Glacier and taking advantage of the ideal conditions on the “THE HIGHEST IN TIROL” for their training sessions.
Pitztal Glacier honours long standing employees
At the end of the 2022/23 winter season, the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn in St. Leonhard im Pitztal honours long-serving employees. Some of them have been with the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn since the beginning and have been with the company for 40 years.
Mass of thanksgiving at Pitztal Glacier
At an altitude of almost 3,000 metres, amidst spectacular mountain scenery, on the Pitztal Glacier, the official end of the 2022/23 winter season was recently celebrated with the traditional Tourism Thanksgiving Service. The festive service was held in splendid weather under the open sky at the “Chapel of White Light”.
14th Pitztal Wild Face
At the weekend, the 14th edition of the freeride event “Pitztal Wild Face” took place on the Pitztal
glacier. Last year’s German winner Lilli Schmitt and Hannah Gruber from South Tyrol won the women’s races.
Hannah Gruber from South Tyrol. Jakob Malecek and Leon Flamm from Germany won the men’s race.
the men’s race. The Austrian freeriders were convincing in both the women’s and men’s races with a total of six podium places.
One decade Café 3440 at Pitztal Glacier
10 years ago, the Wildspitzbahn and Café 3440 opened on the Pitztal Glacier. Even today, both are architectural highlights and at the same time the highest point in Austria accessible by cable car. At the end of an anniversary ski day, Café 3440 looked back on the construction and opening in 2012 in a festive setting.
FROM INNSBRUCK'S CITY CENTRE EASY AND CHEAP TO THE PITZTAL AND KAUNERTAL GLACIER WORLD
For the “Scharfen Skitage”, which take place every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on the Pitztal Glacier, in the Rifflsee ski area, on the Kaunertal Glacier or on the Winterberg Fendels, skiers can buy discounted day tickets at the specially installed ticket machines in Innsbruck’s Town Hall Galleries. The TICKET KIOSK 600 is installed directly next to the elevators.
SKISEASON START RIFFLSEE ON 17 DEC 22
On 17 December 2022, the ski season in the Rifflsee ski area will start with a special highlight: one week before Christmas, the Meissnitzer Band will make a stop at Rifflsee with their anniversary tour “Advent im Gebirg”. Christmas sounds, the panorama of the snow-covered mountains around the Rifflsee and optimal slope conditions attract skiers to the Sunna Alm at the Rifflsee.
For big and small wishes: Pitztal Christkindl post office at 3,440 metres
The connection to the sky is of course particularly good at 3,440 metres – which is why the Christ Child has also posted his helpers here in the Pitztal, specifically in Café 3,440. Every Sunday in Advent, they take orders for Christmas wishes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Austria’s highest Christkindl post office. If you like, you can pick up some pretty colouring sheets and a few mandarins, nuts or gingerbread. Afterwards, be sure to try the homemade cakes and admire the spectacular view of more than 50 three-thousand-metre peaks from the viewing platform.
Pitztal Glacier Open: Almost 8,000 skiing enthusiasts started the new season on Austria's highest glacier.
Three days full programme, best skiing weather, great atmosphere and groovy rhythms: almost 8,000 skiing enthusiasts celebrated the start of the new ski season at the Pitztal Glacier Open last weekend.
With Henrik Kristoffersen and Alexis Pinturault, the world's top skiers put the finishing touches on the Pitztal Glacier
Ski superstars Henrik Kristoffersen and Alexis Pinturault are using the time until 22 October to prepare themselves optimally for the start of the Ski World Cup – currently on the Pitztal Glacier, where they find perfect training conditions.
The new Gletscherexpress of the Pitztal Gletscherbahn has successfully started its journey
On Friday, 15 July 2022, the new Gletscherexpress on the Pitztal Glacier successfully started its journey. The new futuristic funicular replaces the former “Gletscherexpress” feeder lift and offers guests a significantly increased ride comfort with a lot of technical innovation. In summer, the new Gletscherexpress also runs on 100 per cent electricity from the hotel’s own PV system.
Successful start to the summer season at THE HIGHEST IN TIROL
As soon as it gets hot in the valley, the alpine free space at the THE HIGHEST IN TIROL invites you to a varied mountain summer in the Pitztal. In glorious summer weather, fans from home and abroad enjoyed Marc Pircher’s open air concert on the sun terrace of the Sunna Alm. The Rifflseebahn is now in operation daily until 3 October and brings recreation-seekers into the mountain summer. On the Pitztal Glacier, the summer season begins on 15 July with the maiden voyage of the new Gletscherexpress.
30,000 EUR for Ukrainians in need in Tyrol
During almost the entire spring season, money was collected on the Pitztal Glacier for Ukrainians fleeing the war in Tyrol. This way, 30,000 EUR could now be handed over to the “Netzwerk Tirol hilft”, which initiated the fundraising campaign.
Pitztaler Gletscherbahn honours long-term employees
As part of the official closing of the 2021/22 winter season, the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn in St. Leonhard im Pitztal honoured long-time employees. Two employees retired after more than 35 years of employment.
Pitztal Glacier renews "Gletscherexpress"
After almost 38 years of operations, the “Gletscherexpress” will be taken out of service at the end of the current winter season 2021/22 and replaced by new train sets. The new Gletscherexpress will bring significantly increased driving comfort for the guests of the Pitztal Glacier. During the development of the train, the focus was placed on energy efficiency. In summer, the new Gletscherexpress is powered 100 per cent by energy from the PV plant on the Pitztal Glacier.
Charity concert of the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn and the Tyrol Music Project for the Ukrainians in need in Tyrol
More and more refugees from Ukraine are coming to Tyrol. “We at the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn want to make our contribution and provide funds for the urgently needed help,” explains Beate Rubatscher-Larcher, CEO Pitztaler Gletscherbahn. Already since the beginning of March, 1 euro from every lift ticket sold on the Pitztal Glacier has gone directly to the “Netzwerk Tirol hilft”. With a charity concert on the Pitztal Glacier, further funds are now being collected for the refugees, mostly women with their children. The net proceeds of the concert will go entirely to the “Netzwerk Tirol hilft”.
Glacier Spring on THE HIGHEST OF TIROL
Sports enthusiasts will find perfect conditions at Tyrol’s highest sunny ski run on the Pitztal Glacier. You can enjoy the sun and snow until 8 May, and at weekends the Wildspitzbahn and Café 3440 are open until 4.30 pm. In addition, numerous events attract visitors.
"Pitztal Wild Face" 2022: Freeriders from Germany and Italy dominate
On Saturday, 19 March 2022, the 13th edition of the freeride event “Pitztal Wild Face” took place. Lilli Schmitt and Julia Pronnet from Germany won the women’s race. Marc Grossgasteiger and Michael Sinn from Italy won the men’s race. Lea Goldberger finished third as the best-placed Austrian in the ski category. Peter Drage came third in the men’s category and was the best Austrian.
The countdown to the Pitztal Wild Face is on
The Pitztal Wild Face, one of the toughest, if not the toughest freeride race in the world, starts again on 19 March: 115 participants from 15 nations have registered for the race over 1,510 metres of altitude difference from the Mittagskogel (3,173 metres) to the valley.
Pitztaler Gletscherbahn supports Ukrainians in need in Tyrol
The shocking events in Ukraine are deeply saddening and have triggered a huge wave of solidarity and willingness to help worldwide. The Pitztaler Gletscherbahn would like to make its contribution and financially support Ukrainians who have fled to Tyrol to escape the war.
Olympic champion Alessandro Hämmerle and Pia Zerkhold win Austrian state championship titles in snowboard cross on the Pitztal Glacier
At the SBX European Cup races, which took place this week on the Pitztal Glacier, Alessandro Hämmerle and Pia Zerkhold were able to secure the Austrian championship titles. For Hämmerle it was the first success after the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Olympic champion Hämmerle and World Cup leader Nörl at the start of SBX-EC in Pitztal
A foretaste of the season finale in the Snowboardcross World Cup is offered this week by the two European Cup races on Wednesday and Thursday on the Pitztal Glacier! With the newly crowned Olympic champion Alessandro Hämmerle and the German Martin Nörl, the leading duo in the SBX World Cup will also be there. Nörl has a 20-point lead over the Vorarlberger before the two final competitions on the Reiteralm in Styria (12 March) and in Veysonnaz (SUI/20 March).
Pitztal ski racer Joshua Sturm competes in Kitzbühel and Schladming
After his recent excellent performances such as winning the European Ski Cup in Berchtesgaden, ski racer Joshua Sturm from St. Leonhard in Pitztal will compete in the Slalom World Cup races in Kitzbühel and Schladming.
Benefit New Year's Concert at 3,440 metres altitude
With musical sounds of violin, accordion, guitar and double bass by the quartet “Tyrol Music Project”, the coming year will be ushered in at Tyrol’s highest concert hall at 3,440 metres above sea level on the Pitztal Glacier. The net proceeds of the concert will go to charity.
12,000 biscuits as a token of appreciation
The restaurant staff of the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn and the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen used the time without guests to bake Christmas biscuits for a good cause. Around 12,000 biscuits were produced by hand at Café 3440 and delivered to the many helping hands at the St. Vinzenz Zams hospital and the Zams rescue control centre.
Re-start on the Pitztal Glacier
The Pitztaler Gletscherbahn will resume skiing operations next Sunday, 12 December 2021. Every day from 8.30 am to 4 pm, cross-country skiers, ski tourers and skiers can ski the perfect natural slopes. Just twelve days later, on 24 December 2021, the Rifflsee ski area will also open.
X PARK: XPLORE MORE AT THE HIGHEST OF TIROL
Whether cross-country skiing, ski touring or freeriding: Classic winter sports have long enjoyed great popularity. The credo is to move in the white nature away from the mainstream. The X PARK on the Pitztal Glacier with freeride, cross-country centre as well as ski touring and fun park offers ideal conditions and has been open since October.
Official winter kick-off with the Pitztal Glacier Open 2021
Skiing operations on Tyrol’s highest glacier already started in mid-September. The new winter season will officially open from 15 to 17 October 2021 with the “Pitztal Glacier Open 2021”. A meet and greet with Bernadette Lorenz and Urban Lentsch, a musical sunset at Café 3440 and a varied programme await the public on this opening weekend.
Start of the 2021/22 ski season on the Pitztal Glacier
Due to the optimal conditions, the Pitztal Glacier will start its skiing operations for the new 2021/22 season one week earlier than planned on Saturday, 18 September 2021. One week before, a delegation of the ÖSV men will already come to the Pitztal Glacier from 10 September for an exclusive training week.
Full enjoyment at the Rifflsee // Follow-up report
Despite the rainy weather, numerous visitors came to the RIFFLSEE GOOD & HEALTHY gourmet day at the Sunna Alm on 22 August 2021. Regional products from the Pitztal and the Imst district could be tasted. An extensive supporting programme provided entertainment for young and old.
Enjoyment day with products from the Pitztal at the Rifflsee
The “Rifflsee xund & guat” (Rifflsee xund & good) gourmet day on 22 August 2021 is all about regional products. The Pitztaler Gletscherbahn and three alpine pastures at Rifflsee present their regional suppliers and their products from the Pitztal and Imst. In case of bad weather the event will be postponed to Sunday, 29 August.
Pitztaler Gletscherbahn adopts ibex Cyprian
At the end of June, a young ibex was born for the first time at the St. Leonhard Ibex Centre in Pitztal, which opened in 2020. The Pitztaler Gletscherbahn is now taking over the sponsorship of little Cyprian.
Yoga at the Rifflsee - at over 2,200 metres
The glistening and greenish water of one of the highest mountain lakes in Austria, the imposing mountain panorama and the tranquillity: yoga sessions at the Rifflsee in Pitztal are incomparable for yoga teacher Carolin Mittendorfer. From now on, interested people can recharge their batteries under her guidance every Wednesday from 9 to 10.30 am on the shores of the mountain lake.
The HIGHEST IN TIROLS starts into the mountain summer from 25 June
Weekly yoga by the mountain lake, raft trips, high alpine hiking tours or breakfast at 3,340 metres: This summer, visitors to the Pitztal Valley will experience deceleration and regionality with all their senses.
Asanas with mountain panorama: Start Yoga sessions at the Rifflsee
At the yoga kick-off at Rifflsee in Pitztal, everything revolves around the asanas of the Indian movement teachings. Together with the internationally renowned yoga teacher Marcel Clementi, the participants will float up to 2,232 meters in the morning of July 11 with the Rifflsee cable car.
NEW: Ticket "Pitztal Mountain Freedom"
From the eternal glacier ice to the turquoise-blue mountain lake: feel freedom at the HIGHEST OF TIROL. The new ticket “Pitztal Mountain Freedom” combines adventures on the Pitztal Glacier and Rifflsee with experiences in the valley and lets guests experience six days of alpine freedom.
Certificate award ceremony for cable car machinists of the LLA Imst
After three years of schooling, some graduates of the Agricultural College (LLA) Imst will receive a special additional qualification this year in addition to their training as skilled agricultural workers: 29 students from the final classes will receive the certificate as cable car operators for the first time. The awards were presented in Austria’s highest coffee house, THE 3440 on the Pitztal Glacier.
"Pitztal Wild Face" 2021: Ideal conditions and strong performance by the youngsters
Parallel to the opening of the Pitztal glacier ski area, the twelfth edition of the freeride event “Pitztal Wild Face” took place on Saturday, 17 April. Tobias Fieg from Tyrol secured victory in the snowboard category.
Re-Opening Pitztal Glacier on 17 April
From Saturday, 17 April, skiing will resume on the Pitztal Glacier. The freeride event “Pitztal Wild Face” will take place at the same time.
36,000 biscuits for a good cause
The restaurant staff of the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn and the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen recently used the time without guests to bake biscuits for a good cause. More than 36,000 pieces were produced by hand at Café 3.440 and distributed to nursing homes and blue light organisations in the two valleys, among others.
Pitztal Ski Resort Rifflsee opens from 24.12.2020
From 24 December, skiing is once again possible for locals in the Rifflsee ski area in Pitztal – subject to strict compliance with the Covid 19 rules of conduct. The Rifflsee lift and the Grubenkopf lift are in operation daily from 9 am to 3 pm.
Slalom World Cup opener: Tyrolean Bernadette Lorenz starts in Levi
In December 2018, the now 22-year-old alpine ski racer Bernadette Lorenz from Oberperfuss made her World Cup debut. On 21 and 22 November, she will now compete in the World Cup slalom in Levi (Finland). The young talent will be supported by the Pitztal Glacier.