If you really want to feel the cold season, go climbing outside in winter - on ice. Whether it's easy falls, mixed climbing or free-hanging cones - fancy some icy climbing? We present five areas for ice climbing:
1. ice climbing in Pitztal
Ice climbing in the Pitztal at the Eis Total climbing festival, photo: TVB Pitztal
With no less than 45 routes, the Pitztal offers the right challenge for ice climbing beginners and pros alike. While very experienced climbers can try their hand at mixed climbing on the Hexenbesen, beginners can try their first moves on mixed routes in the Taschachschlucht ice climbing garden near the glacier lift.
2. ice climbing in Ötztal
The Kühtaibacherl in the Ochsengarten in Ötztal
The Ötztal has a similar number of routes for ice climbing, 40 in total. Here, particularly enduring ice climbers get their money's worth: the Alzenlehnerfall, for example, takes around 4.5 hours to climb. But there are also shorter routes and easy routes for beginners in Ötztal, such as the Kühtaibacherl waterfall in Ochsengarten.
3. ice climbing around Innsbruck
The Bafflfall in Sellraintal near Innsbruck
The Innsbruck region and its vacation villages offer ice climbers in the Sellrain Valley a paradise to let off steam: The approaches are quite short and the icefalls are up to 160 meters long. One of the most popular icefalls in the Sellrain Valley is the Bafflfall, which, with a height of 110 meters and a short approach, attracts climbers who have mastered the WI2-5 level of difficulty.
4. ice climbing in the Tyrolean Oberland
"Fear of pleasure" in the Tyrolean Oberland
Ice climbing in the Tyrolean Oberland is one thing above all: spectacular. Thanks to its altitude, the Kaunertal in particular offers opportunities for cold climbing experiences. Experienced climbers can try their hand at free-hanging icicles on the "Angst vor Lust" route, for example, or climb a 220-metre-long icefall on the Steinbruch route.
5. ice climbing in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
The Sebensee icefall in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
Whether mixed climbing or climbing on pure ice - the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena offers both. The Sebensee icefall is particularly recommended for experienced and enduring ice climbers. The 230-metre-long icefall offers challenges such as overhangs, tubular ice and ice mushrooms. The 45-metre-long Häselgöhr icefall is ideal for ice climbing beginners and can be reached in just 10 minutes.
The Häselgöhr icefall in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
