Skiers new to the sport of ski touring will find plenty of routes in Tirol to practise their skills. Most of the routes listed below are easy both to walk up and ski down, but the views are just as spectacular as on more challenging ski tours. The Gaishörndl (2,615 metres) in East Tirol and the Grubenkopf (2,337 metres) in the Stubai Alps are two mountains where beginners can walk up the way up to the summit. Be aware that even beginners will need good skiing skills, the right avalanche safety equipment and a good level of overall fitness to enjoy these ski tours.
Tip 1: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Guided ski tours such as the Smugglers' Tour over the border to Samnaun in Switzerland and the ski tour into the Urgtal Mountains, both of which begin from the ski resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, are excellent for those new to the sport of ski touring. Read more about the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski tour
Tip 2: Zillertal Valley
This ski tour onto the Gerlosstein mountain (2,166 metres) all the way to the Arbiskogelhütte hut in the Zillertal Valley is perfect for beginners thanks to its gentle terrain. There are a number of steeper sections, but much of the route is nice and flat. Please be aware that this route is only open on certain days. Read more about the Zillertal Valley ski tour
Tip 3: East Tirol
Located on the border between Austria and Italy, the Gaishörndl mountain (2,615 metres) in the Villgratental Valley is suitable for beginners thanks to its excellent snow cover and gentle gradient. It is particularly enjoyable in spring, when the snow is a little softer and the south-east facing slopes are bathed in sunshine. The views, which stretch as far as the Dolomites and the village of Toblach/Dobbiaco in Italy, are fantastic. Read more about the East Tirol ski tour
Tip 4: Wipptal Valley
This ski tour onto the Grubenkopf mountain ascends 887 vertical metres from start to finish. It is found in the Obernbergtal Valley, which borders Italy to the south. The first section leads along a toboggan run, then the beautiful Obernberger See lake. There are normally tracks in the snow to follow all the way up to the top of the Grubenkopf (2,337 metres) on the ridge between Austria and Italy. Read more about the Wipptal Valley ski tour
Tip 5: Alpbachtal Valley
Ski touring in the Alpbachtal Valley is a real pleasure – and the Schatzberg is one of the most popular mountains in the region, especially among those new to the sport of ski touring. From bottom to top this ski tour climbs 870 vertical metres from Inneralpach via the Hahnkopf (1,902 metres) onto the Schatzberg (1,898 metres) in the Kitzbühel Alps. This ski tour is generally also possible even in winters with little snowfall. Snowboarders using a splitboard will also enjoy this route. Read more about the Alpbachtal Valley ski tour
Tip 6: East Tirol
The ski tour onto the Böses Weibele mountain (2,521 metres) between the Drautal Valley and the Iseltal Valley offers fantastic views and is suitable for beginners thanks to the fact that the first section can be completed on the Hochsteinbahn cable car, leaving just 500 vertical metres to the top.
Those who want more of a challenge can start the adventure at the bottom of the ski lifts. The route leads along a trail known as the "Russenweg" – a narrow path through the forest – to the Hochsteinhütte (2,023 metres). It is at the Hochsteinhütte that the three sections of the Hochsteinbahn cable car end. From the hut, continue in a westerly direction to the top of the Böses Weibele. The views of the Iseltal Valley and the Dolomites are fabulous. Read more about the East Tirol ski tour
Tip 7: Lechtal Valley
This ski tour onto the Kleines Pfuitjöchle ridge is a very popular one. It is sunny, easy and offers great panoramic views of the surrounding Lechtal Alps. The slopes are south-facing, so the snow can be a little thin early and late in the season. From bottom to top there are 990 vertical metres to climb. The first section leads through a forest. Things then open up to reveal open terrain perfect for skiing. Read more about the Lechtal Valley ski tour
