The closest glacier to Innsbruck is the Stubai Glacier and you can ski it year round.
The Stubai Glacier is part of the Innsbruck ski pass and guarantees ski terrain even if the other ski resorts around Innsbruck are too early or late in the season.
• book accommodation for the Stubai Glacier
• Stubai Glacier snow depth / piste report
• snow forecast Stubai Glacier
• events in the Stubai Glacier area
• avalanche status Stubai Glacier
• live webcam in Stubai Glacier
The skiing
Glacier ski is usually characterised by good quality, reliable snow, high altitude and the possibility of extreme weather, be it extreme sun or extreme cold. The other shared characteristic is that the slopes tend to be gentle; a lumbering glacier is often on a fairly shallow gradient, with the only really steep terrain to be found at the margins. The Stubai Glacier is vast with wide long and gentle pistes stretching great distances. The lift system is modern and processes many thousands of people, especially in November and December. The ski runs are a beginners and intermediates paradise wide motorway like runs, usually with very good snow. There is an extensive childrens ski program on the glacier.
On-piste – wide long runs that are perfect for the beginner or intermediate.
Off-piste – caution! Whilst the best steep slopes are off-piste and often the best snow is there too, there are the very real risk of crevasses, breaks in the glacier as it moves slowly down the mountain. The best ski terrain to be found off-piste is below glacier level in the long run back to the base station. Still at high altitude the snow is often deep and dry. Employ a guide for the day to access the best terrain, the area is vast and has lots to offer. There is no terrain park at the Glacier but there is a ice climbing tower.
where to stay
There is accommodation available at the base station at Mutterbergalm but most people stay in the resorts along the Stubai Valley and either drive or take the numerous free ski buses to the Gondola station. The ski resort of Neustift is usually the most favoured destination for skiers and has ready access to the ski resort and ski area of Fulpmes – Schlick and the ski area in Neustift itself, Elferlift. The ski resort of Neustift has numerous amenities and a huge amount of accommodation on offer, as well as après ski bars and many restaurants. You can easily ski the Stubai Glacier whilst staying in Innsbruck, free buses collect and drop off at hotels all over central Innsbruck. The coach parks at the ski area for the day and is locked meaning the valuables can be left on board. Staying in the local villages around Innsbruck, it is also possible to ski at the Stubai Glacier, free buses or free taxis take you to the base station and back.
after dark / après ski
At Mutterbergalm, the base station for the ski lifts and the end of the ski route from the Stubai Glacier there is always après ski action with outside bars and people spilling out onto the car park. The action does not go all night though. For après ski action you need to go to Neustift where there are numerous bars and restaurants that go until the early hours. Neustfit also has night time tobogganing at the Elferlift, floodlit and accessed by a new gondola with a mountain hut at the top for food and drink. For more après ski options Innsbruck is the answer with endless bars and restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets.
