Freeride Dreams in TIrol Photo: Mario Webhofer, Adobe Stock

Backcountry skiing routes in Tyrol

Austria

Outdooractive Editors
Author of this page

The Austrian state of Tyrol is a true paradise for freeriders. In the ski resorts of Tyrol, you'll find fantastic descents over glaciers, through steep gullies and across expansive alpine meadows. Whether in the Kitzbühel Alps or in Ötztal, the next run is never far away. Here we present the best freeride spots in Tirol including numerous tour descriptions:

My Map
Content
Show images Hide images

Features

Maps and trails

Show map

The 10 most beautiful ski runs in Tyrol

Backcountry Skiing · Ötztal

Glacier tongue

recommended route Difficulty moderate

1.3 km

0:20 h

0 m

450 m

The classic freeride connection from the Rettenbacher to the Tiefenbacher glacier.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Backcountry Skiing · The Verwall Alps

Stuben - Maroi Leitn

recommended route Difficulty difficult

6.8 km

2:00 h

210 m

1,047 m

Lange südostseitige Variante mit einigen steileren Geländeabschnitten.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Backcountry Skiing · The Verwall Alps

Rendl - Hinteres Rendl

recommended route Difficulty moderate

7.8 km

1:15 h

9 m

1,324 m

Classic descent from Riffel II through the rear Rendl back to the Rendlbahn valley station. Frequently travelled, therefore relatively safe and very scenic.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Backcountry Skiing · Region St. Anton in Tirol

St. Anton - forest aisle

recommended route Difficulty moderate

4.1 km

0:45 h

0 m

620 m

The Waldschneise is a very safe and easy alternative to the steeper Maienplatt and Maienwasen runs. The cornice at the start of the run can be a little tricky when there is a lot of snow, but it is very obvious and can be easily avoided.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Backcountry Skiing · Region St. Anton in Tirol

Rendl - Outer Rendlalpe

recommended route Difficulty moderate

9.2 km

2:00 h

6 m

1,384 m

Scenically very impressive off-piste descent, where you are almost always rewarded with a few untracked turns. However, the long traverse in Hinterrendl and the unfavourable end point at the MPREIS in St. Jakob make the tour a little time-consuming.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Backcountry Skiing · The Verwall Alps

Stuben - Milk floors in the Verwall

recommended route Difficulty easy

6.7 km

0:45 h

0 m

874 m

A cosy variant from Stuben to Verwall. A good way to end the tour from Stuben back to St. Anton.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Backcountry Skiing · The Verwall Alps

Stuben - Knödelkopf to Alpe Rauz

recommended route Difficulty difficult

4.8 km

1:30 h

152 m

840 m

Great north-facing descent variant for which, however, you have to invest 30 minutes in the ascent.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Along the ridge to the entrance to the cirque

Backcountry Skiing · Lechtal Alps

St. Anton - Valluga West variant

recommended route Difficulty difficult

5.7 km

1:15 h

3 m

937 m

A rarely travelled variant of the Valluga with a challenging approach via the ridge. In return, you are rewarded with a homogeneous north-facing slope.

alpenvereinaktiv.com

Freeriden unterhalb des Wiedersberger Horns (2128 m)

Backcountry Skiing · Alpbachtal

Freeride Tour from Wiedersberger Horn to Inneralpbach

Premium content Difficulty moderate

5.7 km

0:30 h

7 m

1,020 m

Beautiful long freeride run over wide, open slopes and sparse forest in the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area.

Outdooractive Premium

Backcountry Skiing · Wildschoenau

Freeriding on the Schatzberg in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau

Premium content Difficulty moderate

2.1 km

0:30 h

15 m

443 m

Superb freeride run with the finest powder snow through the forest on the Schatzberg in the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area.

Outdooractive Premium

Customize your search Activity Difficulty

easy moderate difficult

Duration

Length

Ascent

Route Finder

The best areas for freeriding in Tyrol

Unlimited powdering in Sankt Anton am Arlberg

The Arlberg is without doubt one of the best-known areas for deep snow descents and freeride runs in Austria. The Arlberg region stretches across the federal states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol and offers countless options for epic days in the snow. On the Tyrolean side St Anton is the epicentre for powder fans. Most runs can be found around the Rendlspitze and the Valluga. After descents of more than 1000 metres in altitude, your thighs will be burning. But in the rest of the area, you'll also find short, steep runs in perfect skiing terrain. You'll never be alone in St. Anton, but the terrain is so extensive that you're sure to find your untracked line with a bit of hiking.

Backcountry Skiing · The Verwall Alps
Rendl - Hinteres Rendl
Backcountry Skiing · Lechtal Alps
St. Anton - Valluga West variant
Backcountry Skiing · Lechtal Alps
St. Anton - Schindlerkar

Kappl and Ischgl - Freeriding in the Paznaun Valley

The ski resorts Ischgl and Kappl in the Paznaun Valley have long ceased to be insider tips. Nevertheless, the probability of finding untracked runs is certainly higher here than on the Arlberg, where there is a lot of hustle and bustle after fresh snow. The mountains of the Samnaun group offer great terrain and numerous variants for experienced freeriders. It's no coincidence that the Freeride World Tour Qualifier series regularly takes place in Kappl. In Ischgl, the area around Piz Val Gronda is considered the best playground for freeriders. After a ride on the aerial tramway, an extensive area opens up with many runs over 750 metres in altitude.

Backcountry Skiing
Ischgl - From Piz Val Gronda to Fimbatal
Backcountry Skiing · Paznaun-Ischgl
Freeride from Paliner Kopf to Samnaun
Backcountry Skiing · Paznaun-Ischgl
Freeride - Velill Valley

Freeriding in the Kitzbühel Alps

There are also numerous cool spots for freeriding away from the high alpine world and glaciers of Tyrol. The Kitzbühel Alps stand out here in particular. The region's perfect ski mountains entice visitors with wonderful ski terrain and easy runs across alpine meadows as well as steep slopes in the summit regions.

The best-known spot is Fieberbrunnwhere the pros meet year after year on the Wildseeloder during the Freeride World Tour. In addition to this challenging descent, there are many other great slopes in Fieberbrunn. The merger with Saalbach Hinterglemm has opened up a huge area that is unrivalled. In addition to the brilliant terrain, Fieberbrunn often shines with snow records - Mrs Holle often really lets it rip here!

Wildschoenau

Alpbachtal

Safety when freeriding with outdooractive

With outdooractive, you'll be safer on the slopes in winter. The features on outdooractive.com and in the app help you to increase safety on your off-piste runs. The slope inclination layer shows you how steep the terrain is. With the offline maps, you always have an overview of where you are on the mountain, even away from the mobile network!

Saving routes and maps offline

Slope Angles

How do you get started with freeriding?

With such beautiful freeride descents as those presented on this page, you may now also be interested in off-piste descents. But how do you actually get started with the sport? We have 3 tips for you:

Take a course - There's no better way than learning from a pro. Take a course with a mountain guide or ski guide, you won't regret it!
Familiarise yourself with the dangers - Find out about the dangers lurking off-piste. Learn to read the avalanche report and familiarise yourself with maps.
Familiarise yourself with equipment - In addition to solid ski or board equipment, you also need safety equipment with a shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver. The best way to learn how to use them is to take a course with professionals.