The Resort

The season starts here, and it starts early. Hintertux is Austria’s only ski area open 365 days a year, which is exactly why it gets the Thanksgiving slot. While the rest of the Alps is still studying the forecast, the glacier is already spinning. The terrain runs from 1,500 m up to the Gefrorene Wand at 3,250 m, the highest point in Zillertal you can reach by lift. And because this is Austria, the lift company will happily serve you breakfast, a Tyrolean platter or a glass of something sparkling inside a moving gondola. Three days to shake off the summer, find your edges and give thanks for snow that was never in doubt.

Lodging & Après-Ski

The weekend plays out at Brugger's Genießerhotel Lanersbacher Hof, a 4-star gourmet hotel in Lanersbach that the Brugger family has run for over 50 years, half board included. The kitchen is the real argument here: award-winning Tyrolean cooking built on regional produce, which makes calling it a day after the last lift surprisingly easy. Afterwards there's a pool, saunas and steam baths to undo the damage. The free ski bus to the glacier stops right outside the door, roughly 6 km up the valley.

Good to Know

Ski the glacier in the morning, swim inside it in the afternoon. Nature's Ice Palace hides a 0°C lake 30 metres below the piste. Extra ticket, book ahead.