Established in 1949 the Austrian ski resort Rifflsee lies at 1740 metres altitude in the Tirol / Tyrol region of the Austrian Alps / Alpes. With the highest lifts and ski slopes at 3440m the area is snow sure. Over 18 snow cannons ensure artificial snow making covers 6km of trails, which equates to around 20 of the slopes. The nearest airport transfer to Rifflsee is Innsbruck at a distance of 90km or approximately 90 minutes driving time. Their season runs from September to May.
SNO-man says
One of Europe's highest and most snow-sure ski areas, and certainly the highest mountains in Austria's famous Tyrol, Pitztal's glacier ski area is accessed by an underground funicular (with 10,000 stairs running along the side of it) from September until May. The local pass covers two other ski areas - one on Rifflsee, the other on Hochzeiger. There is also a Burton-Funpark for snowboarders to enjoy.
Beginner Trails ![]() |
3% | Intermediate Trails ![]() |
55% |
Advanced Trails ![]() |
30% | Expert Trails ![]() |
15% |
View our detailed Rifflsee snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Rifflsee snow history.
Beginners | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Intermediate | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Advanced/Expert | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Snowboarders | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Apres Ski | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Family/child Friendly | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Snow-Sure | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ambience | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Value for money | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Lift Pass Prices (adult 6 day) | €161 - €181 |
Traditional Village / |
|
Resort Opens | Sep 2020 |
Resort Closes | May 2021 |
( snow conditions often influence opening/closing) |
Downhill Runs | 45km |
total length of Rifflsee trails | |
Longest Lift-Served Run | 5km |
longest piste or trail reachable by lift | |
Slope Orientation | N, W, S |
direction Rifflsee area faces | |
Top Altitude | 3440m |
top station of highest lift | |
Bottom Altitude | 1740m |
bottom of lowest run | |
Resort Altitude | 1740m |
centre of Rifflsee ski resort | |
Vertical Drop | 1700m |
total descent from top lift to bottom piste | |
Skiable Vertical | ^v 1700m |
can include extra hike up above top lift | |
Nearby resorts: |
The mountain has 3% beginner runs or nursery slopes, 55% intermediate, 30% advanced slopes and 15% for experts - the most difficult piste is the ?km ? run, with a steepness/slope angle of ?%. You can ski Rifflsee after dark as there is night skiing on ?km of illuminated piste.
Rating for skiing gets 3 stars out of 5 overall
Rating for snowboarding gets 4 stars out of 5 overall
Off-Slope activities include:
Rating for apres ski gets 3 stars out of 5 overall
The Austrian resort is also known as Pitztaler Gletscher, Rifflsee, Hochzeiger and has common misspellings:
The direction which the various Rifflsee slopes face can make or break your ski holiday. To guarantee good snow conditions, choose a resort with piste which face the right way for the time of year you're travelling.
- In the coldest winter months of January and February pick a resort with sunny south facing slopes, so your days on the snow doesn't feel like a polar expedition. Conversely, in the warmest spring skiing months of March and especially April, a resort with cool and shady north facing trails will ensure you're not riding on slush, but benefitting from best late season snow. The best destinations have areas which face in all directions so that you're guaranteed greating conditions whatever the weather. Rifflsee has slopes facing N, W, S.
Rating for snow gets 5 stars out of 5 overall
Rifflsee ski school - snowboarding course & skiing lessons
The official ski/board school is called Skischule Pitztaler Gletscher and has 120 teachers teaching in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish and taking students from a minimum age of 3.? www.skischule-pitztalgletscher.com 85000
Rifflsee for beginners gets 4 stars out of 5 overall
Rifflsee for intermediates gets 4 stars out of 5 overall
Rifflsee for expert skiers gets 4 stars out of 5 overall
Rifflsee for snowboarding gets 4 stars out of 5 overall
Rifflsee snow sports - off slope winter mountain sports
Cross Country Skiing (langlaufen) in Rifflsee: 70km X C ski trails, Lessons available? Y
Easy XC Ski Trails: 70km Intermediate XC Trails: 0km Difficult XC Trails: 0km
Telemark Tuittion: Y Telemark Rental 1 Paragliding schools: 1
Snow mobile Rental: 0 Toboggan Run Length: 16km
Rifflsee snow fun - off slope winter activities
Outdoor Ice Rink: 3 Indoor Ice Rink: 0 Balloon Flights: 0
Prepared Winter Walks: 73 Snowshoeing: 1 Hang Gliding : 0
Snow mobile Rental: 0 Toboggan Run Length: 16km Paragliding schools: 1
Rifflsee non skiing facilities also include Bungee, Torchlit Descent.