My favourite ski touring mountain: the Glungezer

Today, Susi, our hiking guide, introduces you to one of her favourite ski touring mountains: the Glungezer.
The Glungezer is undoubtedly one of the most popular ski touring mountains in the Hall-Wattens region. Thanks to the various starting points for the tour, the mountain is just as appealing to those in good physical condition as it is to those who are a little less fit.
The various routes are all quite long, but can be shortened by using the lifts, depending on snow conditions or your fitness level. The slopes are predominantly avalanche-safe and yet lead into high-altitudeterrain with magnificent views of the sea of peaks in the Tux Alps, the Karwendel, the Zillertal Alps and the Hohe Tauern.
A unique feature at the end of the ascent, just a few metres below the summit cross, is the Glungezerhütte, an alpine refuge that invites you to rest, enjoy a meal (fantastic cuisine!) and stay the night.

If snow conditions permit, you can set off from the Glungezerbahn valley station. Free parking is also available here. Walk along the valley run to the Tulferhütte and from there continue across the piste.
If snow conditions do not permit an ascent from Tulfes, or if you’d prefer a shorter climb, take the chairlift to the Halsmarter midway station (reducing the ascent by 650 HM). If you want to go even higher without putting your skis on, you can use the T-bar lift (reducing the ascent by a further 500 HM); the T-bar lift exit is located above the Tulferhütte. From there, walk along the piste towards Schartenkogel. After about 40 minutes’ climb, you’ll see the small Schaferhütte on your right, which is a great spot for a short break before the final ascent to the hut and the summit (unmanned!).

From there, the route takes you into open terrain which is, however, heavily used by both hikers and vehicles. Follow the tracks and, after about an hour, you’ll reach the Glungezerhütte (2,610 m) and, just above it, the summit (2,678 m). You can see the summit and its cross repeatedly during the ascent.
To start the descent, walk from the hut for five minutes towards Sonnenspitz (north) – a lovely summit with a fantastic view that you can ‘take in’ at the same time – and descend to the left, below the heavily tracked slope. After this slope, you’ll find yourself back on the ascent tracks and ski right alongside them to the Schaferhütte, and from there down the ski run into the valley.
A lovely ski tour with plenty of different ascent options!
http://www.hall-wattens.at/de/skitouren.html

Important information The Hall-Wattens Regional Tourist Board accepts no liability or responsibility for any damage or accidents. The tour descriptions are a subjective account of possible routes and are no substitute for a thorough study of maps or guidebooks. The Tourist Board makes no claim as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Before every tour, make sure you check the latest avalanche report – as well as the latest weather forecast. Appropriate equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and avalanche shovel, is an essential requirement for every ski tour.