Stubai Glacier

The 3S Eisgratbahn on the Stubai Glacier

Stubai Glacier is the name for a glacier ski area in Austria , Tyrol , Innsbruck-Land district , near Neustift in the Stubaital . The ski area is located in the Stubai Alps , northeast of the Stubai Wildspitze (3,341 m). The approach is through the Stubai Valley .

The ski area is at an altitude of between 1,695 and 3,210 meters. Lifts are located on the Daunferner , Eisjochferner , Gaißkarferner , Fernauferner and Windachferner glaciers .

In summer the area is used as a high alpine hiking area. Until 2002 you could ski on the glaciated area even in summer. Since 2003, the Stubai Glacier has been guaranteed snow from October to June.

history

The Dresdner Hut

The Jochdohle mountain restaurant

The Stubai Glacier Railway went into operation for the first time in 1973. Initially, the Eisgratbahn ended at the Dresdner Hütte . Another 330 vertical meters to just above the Gamsgarten had to be mastered on foot. The first ski lift Eisjoch I and the Eisgrat restaurant were only opened in April 1974. As of 2019, there are 26 lifts available to visitors. The ski area offers 35 runs with a total length of 62 km.

In addition, the ski area offers a giant slalom race track on the Eisjochferner, a speed measurement track on the Daunferner and the BIG Family, children and youth ski camp at the Gamsgarten station with 4 magic carpets and numerous terrain arrangements for 3 to 15 year old skis -Offspring. For cross-country skiers there is a 2 km long high-altitude trail and for ice climbers there is a 20 meter high ice climbing tower.

The Stubai Zoo is located on the Gaißkarferner , a large snow park with three lines, which is particularly popular in autumn and spring. At the Stubai Prime Park Sessions , a four-week training camp, the best freestyle skiers and snowboarders have been meeting regularly since 2013 in October and November to train for upcoming competitions and to learn new tricks on the big jumps.

One of the highest mountain restaurants in Austria is located in the area of the Stubai Glacier, the Jochdohle, built at 3,150 meters . The Top of Tyrol summit platform is located at an altitude of 3,210 m. This was one of the locations for the Bollywood production Sahoo in June 2019 .

Since 2014 there has been an accessible ice cave near the Eisgrat mountain station, in which various glacier phenomena are illustrated.

In 1988 and 1989 there was a serious accident with fatal consequences while skiing in the summer as a result of falling into crevasses . On August 4, 1988, Hong Kong student Yin Chung Chiu fell into a cavity and died in a hospital 5 days after he was recovered. A year later, on August 9, 1989, the Canadian Duncan MacPherson broke through a snow bridge with his snowboard and was completely buried during the subsequent slope preparation. His mutilated body was not discovered until almost 14 years later, on July 18, 2003, 35 m east of the Eisjoch tow lift.

Lift systems

In 2019 the ski area offers 26 lifts. On October 22, 2016, a new 3S gondola including a new valley station went into operation and has since replaced the Eisgratbahn that went into operation in 1973. Operating times are between 8 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., depending on the season.