Technical data

Glacier cable car Pitz Express

The Pitz Express, the fastest underground mountain train in the world, began operating in 1983. It exceeds an elevation difference of 1,120 m, has a track length of 3,786 m and a transport capacity of 1,600 passengers/hr. The base station is built at 1,740 m, the average slope is approximately 31%, the normal travel time is approx. 8 min., and with a speed of 10-12 m/sec. The train runs through a tunnel with a diameter of 4.10 m. The distance is driven by two automatically steered passenger cars, with a capacity for 170 passengers in each car. Halfway up the track there is a switching course, where the track doubles when both ascending and descending cars meet and pass one another, both every hour and half hour, and sometimes an additional train as needed (for at least 50 people).

Pitz-Panoramabahn (up to 3,440m)

Pitz-Panoramabahn is Austria’s highest cable car on the Hinteren Brunnenkogel Mountain. The base station for this cable car is located near the mountain restaurants at 2.840 m elevation. A total of 16 gondolas connected together into 4 groups of four all travel an altitude level of 600 m, with each gondola having a capacity for 25 passengers. The cable itself is 2,185 m in length, with 3 cable car supporters up to 52 meters high and a mid-station at 3,020 m elevation. Boarding and exiting the mid-station is only permitted at special times, which will be posted at the base station.

Mittelberg Mt. Gondola 8 seats (at 3,290m)

The base station for the new comfort system, the 8 seat EUB Mittelberg is lies at 2,685 m elevation, the mid-station, with boarding and exiting possibilities is at 3,000 m elevation. There are red and black trails awaiting you with just a 600 meter difference in altitude. The blue trails are also accessible with the gondola with the Mittelbergjoch II tow lift. The gondola has 15 support posts/towers up to 60 meters in height. The support cable weighs 53 tons and has a diameter of 52mm. The support capacity equals approx. 2,100 passengers /hr. The 68 gondolas travel at a speed of up to 6 m/sec.
After intensive planning and measurement work, a type of lift was found which could operate above the moving ice of a glacier, in which it would not be necessary to have any support beams.

6 seater Gletschersee Chairlift (elev. 2,840 m)

The coupling Gletscherseebahn lift starts from the same base station as the Mittelbergbahn lift, which is at 2,685 m above sea level. It travels directly to the mountaintop restaurant terrace, with an 850 m long lift and over 9 support beams. The 39 seats are fitted with heating elements. The heating process takes place while moving between the stations. The transport capacity yields 2,770 passengers/hr. The new Gletscherseebahn lift is suitable for repeated trips and particularly for beginners who want to stick to the blue trails. It also serves as a new “possible reverse travel” for the skier from the Mittelbergfern area. Cross country skiers at the high altitude cross country track use it as well for transport to the top station and towards the Pitz Express and restaurant. The support cable weighs 13 tons and has a diameter of 43 mm.

Brunnenkogel Glacier tow lift (elev. 3,262 m)

The elevation difference of the lift is 422 m and the its total length is 1,850 m. It takes approx. 12 min. to reach the top station with the Brunnenkogel SL lift and the transport capacity is approx. 1,400 ppl. /hr. The entrance of the lift is at an elevation of 2,840 m at the platform of the Pitz Express top station restaurant. It also serves as an entrance to the Fun Park and the half-pipe. The transport is done in pairs!

Mittagskogel practice lift

The 320 m long tow lift, particularly suitable for children and beginners, is located next to the restaurant. This is ideal for ski lessons and snowboard beginners, due to its gradual slope. It is a single person tow lift.

Mittelbergjoch II Glacier tow lift (elev. 3,280 m)

The elevation difference for this lift is 125 m, and the exit is at 3,280 m with an 800 m long lift. The blue trails are on both the left and right of the exit, and the skiers who want to take the Mittelbergbahn lift to the top station can meet here. The transport capacity is 1,200 pers./hr., and the skiers are transported in doubles.

Conveyor lifts

depending upon the season, there are additional lifts installed next to the boarding area for the Brunnenkogel SL lift, near the half-pipe for snowboarder and the “Children’s Land in the Snow.”.

Glacier supports

Practically all the lift supports for the tow lifts are anchored in the glacier, which means that temperature, precipitation amounts and the glaciers flowing speed all influence their positioning. They need to be mechanically moved up to twice a year on average, in order to place them in their respective ideal position. We ask you for your understanding if this sort of maintenance work is necessary during your visit. Our technical team will do their very best to reduce the interruption time to a minimum.

6 seater Gondelbahn Rifflsee (elev. 2,300m)

The 6 seater gondola, Gondelbahn Rifflsee, beginning in the village Mandarfen is 1,342 m in length, travels over 11 lift supports and the ride lasts approx. 6 min. The boarding area elevation for the 48 gondolas is 1,680 m (base station). The exit area is at 2,300 m., along with skiers who also use it for a repeat run to the base station, in addition to transporting pedestrians and cross country skiers. It was first operated in 1994.

4 seater chairlift Grubenkopf (elev. 2,880 m)

The adaptable chairlift, built in 1996, has a weather protective bubble cover and a transport capacity of 1,550 pers/hr., and over 70 units available in 4 seater lifts. The base station elevation is 2,200 m, and a cable length of 1,465 m with 15 support beams.

Information concerning length of trail and ski area

Prepared ski slope area in the Pitztal Glacier is 85 ha

Trail length and level of difficulty

blue trails: Pitztal Glacier 6 km, Lake Riffsee 5 km
red trails: Pitztal Glacier 17 km, Lake Rifflsee 12 km
black trails: Pitztal Glacier 5 km, Lake Rifflsee 3 km

Cross-country ski runs

High altitude cross-country ski run Pitztal Glacier (elevation approx. 2,600m): up to 6 km tracks
High altitude cross-country ski run Lake Rifflsee (elevation approx. 2,200m): up to 5 km tracks
cross-country ski run Innerpitztal Valley: approx. 21 km tracks