Apres Ski in Hintertux
The small village of Hintertux is home to a cluster of traditional guesthouses and hotels and is peacefully located at the end of the Tux valley. The village is a quieter alternative to the busier and larger resort of Mayrhofen – a 25 minute drive down the winding mountain roads – and offers access to the nearby – and all-year round – Hintertux glacier ski area.
Hintertux Village
Hintertux has a relaxing and remote feel, with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and walking routes for those who wish to explore them. The village is no more than a few hundred metres long, with hotels and a couple of shops situated either side of the main road which passes through the village.
The ski lift up to the glacier is a 10-minute walk or a short bus ride from Hintertux village, while there are a handful of hotels – but little else – situated by the lift base station. Visitors looking for a livelier base may prefer to stay in Mayrhofen, or even in the slightly busier villages in the Tux valley which sit between Hintertux and Mayrhofen.
Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants
With a handful of bars and restaurants in Hintertux, the options are fairly limited – eating out is predominantly served by hotel restaurants and après ski largely consigned to the lively Hohenhaus Tenne bar.
Apres Ski Bars in Hintertux
The Hintertux nightlife is pretty limited, but anyone in search of some classic Austrian après ski should head immediately to the Hohenhaus in a prime spot at the bottom of the Gletscherbus lift.
Hohenhaus Tenne (+43 5287 8501) is the focal point of Hintertux après ski. A traditional Austrian bar with pumping music and beer flowing, it is always lively after a long day’s ski. Fast-food is on offer in the bar at the back and the toilets alone are worth a visit!
Papperla Pub (+43 5287 8501) the ‘cosiest living room in Zillertal’ is part of the Alpenbad Hohenhaus Hotel (not to be confused with the Hohenhaus Tenne near the Gletcherbus), and as part of its draw has Sky Sports on offer. But it can be altogether more lively, with music nights and the regular ‘Tux1 disco night’ – usually open until 04:00.
Disco Batzenkeller (+43 5287 8570) is the place to go for a late night drink and music in Hintertux, attached to the Badhotel Kirchler.
Restaurants in Hintertux
Dining out in Hintertux is primarily limited to a number of hotel restaurants, generally focusing on traditional Austrian fare. The Hotel Alpenhof is said to have the best restaurant in the village. At lunchtime the options within the village are fairly limited, although most visitors are sensibly high up on the mountain were there are a range of mountain restaurants.
Café Restaurant Kaiser-Brundl (+43 5287 8580) adjoined to the Neuhintertux Hotel is well located at the bottom of the ski route 1a, right opposite the Hohenhaus Tenne. A café bar serving food and drinks, including for lunch and dinner, the Kaiser-Brundl also caters for the après ski crowd with loud music welcoming skiers off the slopes!
Didi’s Pizzeria (+43 5287 87329) provides a bit of a change from the traditional in Hintertux, with a wide ranging Italian menu including a large selection of pizzas, as well as pasta, soup and salads. Take-away is also available.
Hotel Alpenhof (+43 5287 8550) is highly thought of in the village and serves a five-course dinner every evening. The only drawback is that the restaurant is not open for lunch, although an afternoon snack is on offer for guests of the hotel.
Hotel Badhotel Kirchler (+43 5287 8570) serves traditional Austrian fare within one of the larger hotels in the village. A children’s menu is also on offer.
Hotel Hintertuxhof (+43 5287 8530) is one of the few restaurants in the village open for lunch. Serving mainly Austrian classics, they do a mean goulash soup! Also well set up for children, and in good weather a large playground area outside keeps little ones busy.
Piazza Restaurant (+43 5287 87490) is located in the Hotel Kossler, and as well as serving a range of food and drinks from 15:00 onwards, also has Sky Sports on offer.
Other Activities in Hintertux
Hintertux itself has a fairly limited offering for non-skiers, but the surrounding area offers a range of other winter sports such as snow-shoeing and ice climbing, as well as good swimming and wellness facilities. Families shouldn’t miss a trip to the ‘Ice Palace’ at the top of the resort.
Sightseeing in Hintertux
There are a number of natural landscape features in and around Hintertux that are worth a visit, for skiers and non-skiers alike, particularly if the weather is bad.
The Ice Palace, a stunning ice cave, with stalactites, frozen waterfalls and a glacial lake, is open all year round and has daily guided tours available. The Palace can be accessed on foot from the top of the Gletcherbus 3 gondola, where visitors can also appreciate the 360 degree views from the Panorama Terrace at the Gefrorene Wand.
An alternative is the Spannagel cave, which claims to be the highest publicly accessible cave in Europe. In winter guided tours are available on Tuesdays and Fridays (call in advance +43 5287 87251), although more extensive tours are also available on request, where cave trekkers can go deep into the 12.5km system. The cave is accessed via the top of the Gletscher bus 2, and walking or skiing down towards the Spannagelhaus restaurant.
Cross-country skiing in Hintertux
Whilst not extensive there are cross country facilities near to Hintertux, with a 14km classic cross country track, from Vorderlanersbach to Madseit (near Hintertux), and a 14km skating track in Madseit. The tracks can be used free of charge, and lessons are available from some ski schools in Hintertux.
Ice climbing in Hintertux
An alternative to speeding down the mountain, a number of companies nearby Hintertux offer ice climbing on waterfalls running off the glacier. Guides can cater for beginners as well as more experienced climbers and most companies will provide all the required equipment, including crampons and ice picks.
Ice skating in Hintertux
While there is no ice rink in Hintertux itself there are a number in the nearby village of Lanersbach, as well as in the larger Mayrhofen. At the large ice rink in Lanersbach, which is nearest to Hintertux, visitors can skate or try their hand at ‘Bavarian curling’ (ice stick shooting)! The rink is open from 15:00-22:00 daily except Monday, for reservations call +43 5287 87385.
Swimming and Spa facilities in Hintertux
A number of the hotels in Hintertux have swimming and/or spa facilities. The most notable is the Hotel Badhotel Kirchler which draws the water for its facilities from a natural hot spring, one of the highest in Europe. As well as the thermal pool, the hotel offers saunas, steam room and massage, perfect after a long day on the slopes.
Public swimming baths and wellness facilities are also on offer at Erlebnisbad in nearby Mayrhofen, and are well worth a visit for families – the large pool is complemented by a Jacuzzi, water slides and inflatables. The Green line buses run between Mayrhofen and Hintertux and are free, although only with a ski pass and if you show ski gear.
Snowshoeing and hiking in Hintertux
There are a number of cleared trails in and around Hintertux that offer a more serene way to see the area, either on foot or using snowshoes for the more adventurous. Many of the ski schools rent snowshoes, and snowshoe tours can be organised by RocknSnow Alpine Guiding (+43 664 406 5650).
Tobogganing in Hintertux
There are a couple of maintained toboggan runs in and around Hintertux, although visitors have to walk up to both (or taxi). The 3km Bichlalm run starts from the mountain hut of the same name, approximately 50 minutes walk from the village. The Bichlalm hut has live music most nights of the week, and a fondue night on Fridays. The Grieralm run, starting from the Grieralm hut, is a longer 5km illuminated run, but with an hour and half walk up to it from Juns village a taxi might be a better option.