The Top 3 Freeride Runs in Hochfügen/Kaltenbach – Zillertal’s powder stashes

Are you looking for the best freeriding terrain in Zillertal Hochfügen-Kaltenbach? Look no further: We got the best three freeride runs of this famous ski ressort for powder lovers covered. All info, locals tipps and a freeride map will help you out.

In the middle of Tyrol, the Hochfügen ski resort will test your skills and scratch that itch. But before you join Mountain Moments on this journey, learn more about the best freeride runs in the backcountry and slackcounty – 3 different routes with all info including a map for your perfect powder run.

Mountains made of plastic, mechanical cows, surgically standardized robot builders. And, of course, large quantities of artificial snow. Welcome to the four-part television film “Die Piefke-Saga”. The author of this series, Felix Mitterer, creates a Zillertal in which prejudices between the Piefkes (Germans) and Tyroleans are at stake. At the end of the series, the Berlin vacationing Sattmann family discovers that the local Tyroleans are clones, their mountain idyll is built on a garbage mountain, and the weather comes to order.

Contrary to the satirical exaggeration, the reality in the Piefke Valley is at least partly more pleasing: plenty of fresh snow, convenient ski areas, and a varied offer for variant skiers.

Nevertheless, the prejudices as in the Piefke saga could also block the way to the Zillertal for many a freerider. Crowds of tourists, five huge ski areas, some years there was even a “freeride ski slope” made out of artificial snow. There seems to be hardly any room left for solitary descents away from the hustle and bustle. But this free space still exists and is easily accessible thanks to the lifts.

Hochfügen has transformed itself from an insider tip to a freeride stronghold. Locals also like to speak of “Huckfügen”. This is a reference to the various jumping possibilities in the classic freeride routes Outta Banks and Little Canada/Superbowl. During northern traffic jams, Hochfügen is not really a jam area like the Nordkette, but it still often snows much more here than in the rest of the region when the direction of the flow is right.

And if, after enjoying the various freeride routes, you’re in the mood for hearty après-ski, you’re sure to find the opportunity to party excessively in one of the many bars, just like the Piefke vacationing family Sattmann from Berlin. Because prejudices sometimes have a certain truth content

Photo tips  that will make your Instagram pop – catch freeriders with long telephoto lens

Hochfügen tends to face northeast but offers easily accessible slopes in all exposures. Again, good timing is advantageous for outstanding pictures. Knowledge of the area in addition always helps. 

When there is fresh snow, you can safely shoot the freeriders on the Osthang/Metzen from the ski slope with a long telephoto lens. In the morning the light is often good in Little Canada, from noon onwards more light slowly comes into the variants in the downhill Outta Banks. Here you can capture nice light/shadow contrasts

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

Find best Winter Adventures in and around Innsbruck – Skiing, Freeride, Skitour and more

Fancy more Winter adventures in Tyrol and around Innsbruck? We got you covered! The best outdoor sports activities for Winter enthusiasts as eBook: Innsbruck Winter Outdoor Guide.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 activities with numerous photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful adventures around Innsbruck for yourself – including track infos, and maps and all other information that you need.

You can take a closer look at the Innsbruck ebook here– – why not share it with your adventure partner in crime?

Outta Banks

This run, along with the Superbowl/Little Canada, is the main reason for Hochfügen’s good reputation in free riding circles. The west-facing slopes below the Marchkopf are moderately steep and tempt you to go full throttle. Beginners also venture off-piste here.

Route description

The starting point for the Outta Banks variant is the mountain station of the Zillertal Shuttle. Immediately at the top station, you cross under the gondola and continue for about 750m without losing altitude if possible, until you have free slopes below you. Now it goes down into the valley. Initially over forest-free, wide-open terrain, the route later leads through trees into the valley.

In the valley you cross a small stream, either with a spirited jump or with the help of the small bridge (be careful: if you come out too far north of the bridge, you have to cross annoyingly through the forest, or run the risk of wet shoes, depending on the snow conditions).

On the other side of the stream you climb about 10 meters in altitude to the toboggan run, which leads back to the valley station of the Zillertal Shuttle. Visitors need to pay attention to tobogganers and winter hikers.

Information Freeride Run Outta Banks in Hochfügen / Kaltenbach

How to get there by public transport: by train from Innsbruck in the direction of Jenbach, change trains there and take the Zillertalbahn to Kaltenbach station. From here it’s a five-minute walk to the Kaltenbach valley station.

Difficulty level: easy-medium

Duration/distance: 1h/3.5km   

Ascent/Descent: 10m/900m   

Highest/lowest point: 2385m/1490m  

Refreshment stop: Hochfügen

Start/finish: Hochfügen Zillertal Shuttle (coordinates: geogr. 47.257058,11.80733447.257058,11.807334)  

Best season: Jan-March

East slope/Metzen

The best-known freeride slope in the Zillertal is probably the Osthang at Metzen. On the east-facing steep slope, freeride pros and those on their way compete: in steep gullies and jumping over high rock bands, they show what they can do. Further on near the lifts, the much flatter and more visible terrain close to the slopes also attracts beginners and advanced skiers. There is often a lot of snow here after snowfall in the northern jam, and perhaps for this very reason it is worthwhile here to ski the white gold especially early after the lifts open.

Route description

From the top station at Pfaffenbühel (” Waidoffen” lift) cross directly north from the exit and follow the ridge with some up and down. Finally, in a hollow, carry your skis and go uphill to the Metzen. After about 15 minutes you have reached the top and from here you enter the slope on the east side.

You should have memorized your downhill line very well in advance, the slope is concavely inclined and very difficult to see from above. To the left and right of the steep slope, easier variants are possible, in between there are some rock bands waiting, but for experienced free riders they are more a playground than a real obstacle.

Information Freeride Run East Slope in Hochfügen / Kaltenbach

Public transport by public transport

Difficulty level : medium-difficult

Duration/distance: 1h/2km   

Ascent/descent: 100m/420m   

Highest/lowest point: 2345m/1985m  

Refreshment stop: 

Start/finish: Hochfügen Pfaffenbühel Lift “Waidoffen” (coordinates: geogr. 47.243868,11.753166)  

Best season: Jan-March

Tips: The downhill routes are excellent to see on the lift ride, memorize the terrain formations well, as route finding is confusing.

Special dangers: Danger of falling!

Little Canada/Superbowl

Superbowl or also Little Canada is the name of the second most famous freeride descent in the Zillertal. The extensive basin is a perfect freeride slope: easy to reach, but still a few steps to walk. This keeps most piste skiers away. Many rocks invite you to jump. At the end, a draw path conveniently leads directly back to the lift.

The naming of the slope is somewhat controversial. Some name the entire slope Superbowl, some have specific terms for the possible variations. The one described here is often referred to as “Little Canada.” The name is meant to reflect the similarity to more relaxed, wide-open and less steep Canadian heli-ski terrain. In principle, after the traverse, different descents are possible.

Route description

Starting point for Little Canada/Superbowl is the mountain station at Pfaffenbühel (“Waidoffen” lift). From here, head east through the avalanche barriers at the same altitude with some ups and downs until you reach a ridge. Now it goes to the actual descent. Briefly head south and after a hollow immediately continue east to the height of the Pfundsalm (1832m). Once you reach the alpine pastures, you cross on a path a few meters above the valley floor and later follow the toboggan run back to the Hochfügen valley station at an alpine pasture settlement. Please be considerate of walkers and tobogganers.

Information  Freeride Run Little Canada in Hochfügen / Kaltenbach

Difficulty level: easy-medium

Duration/distance: 1h/ 5km   

Ascent/descent: 15m/840m   

Highest/lowest point: 2310m/1480m  

Refreshment stop: Hochfügen

Start/finish: Hochfügen Pfaffenbühel lift “Waidoffen” (coordinates: geogr. 47.243857,11.753118)  

Best season: Jan-March

Tips: The traverse is mastered quite quickly for skiers, snowboarders have it a bit harder.

Special dangers: Although the variant itself seems very easy and is much traveled, especially the traverse at the beginning has an increased avalanche risk due to the slope with the avalanche barriers.

The best Winter Adventures in and around Innsbruck – Skiing, Freeride, Skitour and more

Fancy more Winter adventures in Tyrol and around Innsbruck? We got you covered! The best outdoor sports activities for Winter enthusiasts as eBook: Innsbruck Winter Outdoor Guide.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 activities with numerous photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful adventures around Innsbruck for yourself – including track infos, and maps and all other information that you need.

You can take a closer look at the Innsbruck ebook here– – why not share it with your adventure partner in crime?