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Holiday Type: Off Piste, Touring
Ski Profile:
Resort: Pitztal
Flights: Not included
Transfers: Coach 1.5 Hours
Accommodation: 4* Hotel Sonnblick
View dates & prices
Holiday Type: Off Piste, Touring
Ski Profile:
Resort: Pitztal
Flights: Not included
Transfers: Coach 1.5 Hours
Accommodation: 4* Hotel Sonnblick

Pitztal might be one of Austria’s smaller and lesser-known resorts, but we believe it is a hidden treasure with untapped potential. Known for its quiet slopes and great snow quality, this is the ideal destination for a unique touring experience. 

What's Included

What’s included

  • Return transfers
  • Half board for 7 nights
  • 6 days with guides
  • Transceiver if required

What’s not included

  • Flights
  • Lunches
  • Ski Passes
  • Ski/boot hire
  • Backpack, shovel & probe (mandatory)

On Snow Experience

This trip will be focussed on day touring and will include climbing to access the untouched off piste terrain. The holiday includes six full days with mountain guides. Groups will be organised based on ski level, and there will be up to 6 members in each group. At the end of the week, you will receive an updated grading from your Ski Club Rep. This holiday is aimed at Purple and Gold off piste skiers. Is it essential that guests have the correct ski profile for this holiday, as well as a good level of fitness before booking. Ski touring may be required to reach the optimum ski locations – this will be dependent on the conditions and guides that you have on your holiday.

Check out your

Guides and Ski Club Reps (see Essential Info for specific holidays)

Raphael Eiter Pitztal

Raphael Eiter

STATE-CERTIFIED MOUNTAIN AND SKI GUIDE

Globetrotter. Freerider. Father.

Raphael originates from a long-established family of mountain guides. Therefore it was clear for Raphael which way of life he will choose. In 2009 he graduated as a mountain and ski guide and became also a certified canyoning guide. From now on he began to discover the world. First, he worked as a ski guide at the famous Arlberg, then as a heliski-guide in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. He also guided clients to the Kilimanjaro in Eastern Africa and to many summits in the Western Alps. His passion is freeride skiing. For more than ten years he organises together with his cousin Philipp the spectacular freeride contest “Pitztal Wild Face”, which is a 2** Qualifier Event of the Freeride World Tour. When he is not in the mountains or making plans for new projects, he’s paying all his attention to his wife and his two sons.

rep-simon-white

Simon White

On the mountains it's sometimes about the steeps and deeps, but always about having a smile on my face and good company keen to make the best of the time on snow.
Off the skis (or very occasionally board) I've recently got more serious about triathlon - putting in decent times on two legs and two wheels, though in the water I have more staying power than propulsion.
I mainly ski in Europe but have over the last few years developed a real taste for Whistler - probably my favourite place to ski in the world. Elsewhere I have soft spots for Andermatt (awesome runs from the Gemstock), Saas Fee (an intermediate resort, but with some fantastic opportunities for off piste with a guide) and Davos (great, underused off-piste and some excellent long itinerary runs).
Whether the pace is fast or slow you can be guaranteed a modicum of dry wit and hopefully a good helping of fun on a day with me.

rep-patrick-usborne

Patrick Usborne

Skiing is more than a passion but part of who I am. Exploring the mountains moving far from the confines of any resort, especially on skins creates my favourite skiing days. Skiing to me is about adventure and finding those pockets of untracked powder snow, or working with the sun to ski perfect spring snow. Whatever the snow conditions, being out in the wilderness with a team creates the perfect skiing days.

rep-martyn-waller

Martyn Waller

I first skied aged 14 on a school trip and have been hooked ever since. I love the outdoors and spend my spare time cycling, walking and surfing, but skiing is my biggest passion. I enjoy skiing everything; pistes, bumps, trees, steep and narrow, powder filled bowls, even uphill and you just can't beat being in the mountains with friends.

More recently I have really got into day touring/ski mountaineering and am now completely hooked. It just has everything; stunning scenery, a feeling of seclusion, some teamwork, amazing untouched snow (hopefully!) and plenty of challenges to get my teeth into.
Basically, whatever I'm skiing, it's a great way to spend time with friends old and new and of course the odd après drink with them is always nice too and that's why I love being a Ski Club Rep. I can't wait for next season!

Find out more about this trip ...

We are ATOL and ABTOT protected so you can book with confidence knowing your money is secure.

Our holidays are a great way to meet and ski with other members of a similar ability to you.

Have questions? Call now and talk to our friendly team of holiday experts on 020 8410 2022.

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Prices include

7 nights half board, 4* hotel, twin share, coach transfers, 6 days with mountain guides

Prior to booking it is essential that you have the correct ski profile for your holiday. See our profiles here.
Start date End date Ski Profile Peak Experience Availability Price Deposit
Start date 11-01-2025 End date arrow18-01-2025 Ski Profile Peak Experience Availability 6 spaces Price From: £1725 Deposit £300
Start date 01-02-2025 End date arrow08-02-2025 Ski Profile Peak Experience Availability 8 spaces Price From: £1725 Deposit £300
Start date 08-03-2025 End date arrow15-03-2025 Ski Profile Peak Experience Availability 2 spaces Price From: £1725 Deposit £300

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Can’t make it?

Book with confidence - the Ski Club is ABTOT and ATOL protected

The network of pistes may be small, covering only 21km, but unlike many glacier ski areas, most of the runs are rated red and are steeper than in other places.

The lift system is good, with access from the valley via an underground funicular and access to the slopes by two long, modern gondolas (plus a couple of drags). Away from the slopes, there’s some incredible high-altitude ski touring available, so hire a guide and explore – the altitude here means that the early and late season conditions are usually very good. 1km down the valley from the funicular bottom station, the Rifflsee ski area (open only in the winter) offers up a good variety of slopes, including some challenging blacks.
In terms of accommodation, Mandarfen is the only real settlement in the valley and is home to a number of family-run hotels, all of which are located well within reach of the funicular to the glacier and right at the foot of the Rifflsee ski area. Off the slopes, there’s some great cross country skiing routes, in particular up by the Rifflsee, but also on the glacier and down in the valley itself. To access the resort website for more information, please visit www.pitztal.com.

Hotel Sonnblick

You’ll be staying at the Hotel Sonnblick 4*, a great hotel located in the Pitztal Valley and the ideal base from which to explore the ski touring terrain each day. You will be staying on a half board basis, meaning breakfast and dinner will be provided by the hotel. This holiday is on a twin share basis. If you are a solo traveller, then you will be placed in a room with someone of the same gender. Single rooms may be available upon request. These are subject to our hotel room allowance. If you require a single room, please book early to avoid disappointment.

Hotel Sonnblick, Pitztal

Plangeross 45, 6481 Plangeroß, Austria

Phone: +43 5413 86204

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Travel Information

Flights are not included on this holiday, however a set group transfer will be arranged. Your Ski Club Rep will coordinate the coach transfer from Innsbruck Airport, so please look out for them in the main arrivals hall – they will be wearing their Ski Club jacket. The group transfer will take approximately 1 hour.

Please note for these trips we will be running two transfers.

FIRST TRANSFER – Recommended Flight Times

MAN 0900 – INN 1215 (LS939) // INN 1315 – MAN 1435 (LS940)

LHR 1005 – INN 1305 (BA686) // INN 1410 – LHR 1520 (BA687)

LGW 0825 – INN 1125 (BA2618) // INN 1645 – LGW 1750 (BA2621)

The outbound transfer will leave Innsbruck airport by 1400. Please ensure your flight lands no later than 1300 in order for you to make the group transfer time.

The inbound transfer will arrive at Innsbruck airport by 1100. Please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 1300.

SECOND TRANSFER – Recommended Flight Times

LGW 1435 – INN 1740 (BA2622) // INN 1840 – LGW 1940 (BA2623)

EDI 1535 – INN 1900 (LS787) // INN 1950 – EDI 2120 (LS788)

The outbound transfer will leave Innsbruck airport by 2000. Please ensure your flight lands no later than 1900 in order for you to make the group transfer time.

The inbound transfer will arrive at Innsbruck airport by 1630. Please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 1830.

Please contact the Freshtracks office on 020 8410 2022 in order to discuss this further.

Confirmation

Once the holiday has been confirmed, please send your flight details (flight numbers, arrival and departure time) to the Freshtracks Team via email to ku.oc.bulciks@sloh.

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The choice of ski touring skis is limited here so we recommend to bring your own. If you do require ski hire, we recommend the Intersport shop opposite the Rifflesee lift, a short bus ride from the hotel.

We recommend purchasing lift passes ahead of time online for the best discounts. This resort using dynamic purchasing, so purchasing more days than required can sometimes work out cheaper. It is essential that guests purchase the lift pass for Pitztal Glescher and Rifflesee. Alternatively, they can be purchased in resort with the help of your Ski Club Rep.

11th – 18th Jan 2025 : Simon White

1st – 8th Feb 2025 : Patrick Usborne

8th – 15th March 2025 : Martyn Waller

11th – 18th Jan 2025 : Rapheal Eiter

1st – 8th Feb 2025 : Rapheal Eiter

8th – 15th March 2025 : Rapheal Eiter

 

 

It is a condition of booking that you have valid and adequate snowsports insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure your policy provides cover for all the activities that you participate in during your holiday.

We offer a Ski Club Insurance policy which provides the cover we require for all bookings. This policy can be found here: Ski Club Travel Insurance – Ski Club Of Great Britain

If you decide to purchase insurance elsewhere, it is your responsibility to ensure that your policy provides cover as that of the Ski Club Insurance policy. The policy of insurance should provide cover for personal injury, death, medical and repatriation costs in the countries which you intend to visit, together with cover for loss of baggage and valuables, personal liability, delay, cancellation, curtailment, missed departure and legal expenses. The policy should also include cover against losses caused by the effects or consequences of Covid-19.

Due to the type of holidays that you will be booking with us, we also advise that your policy should include skiing off-piste without a guide. Please note, insurance premiums must be paid at the same time as booking in order for the package holiday or single service cancellation cover to be effective. It is also advised to keep your insurance details with you while you are on your holiday. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

Passport – Check your passport is in date and valid for travel by checking the entry requirements for your destination country – you can see these here: Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For most European destinations your passport should:

  • have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
  • have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area

Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel.

NB: Starting in 2025 (Date TBC) travel authorisation will be required to travel withing Europe – find out more here ETIAS (europa.eu)

When venturing off piste, it is compulsory to wear an avalanche transceiver. These can be provided by the Ski Club and should be worn by every person on every all mountain, off piste and touring holiday. Anyone joining these holidays will also be required to bring their own backpack, shovel and probe.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Any Member wishing to ski/snowboard with a Ski Club Group, in any of the resorts where the Ski Club is represented, agrees to do so under the following conditions:

  1. You appreciate that the Ski Club Rep is a volunteer with no formal qualifications as an instructor or mountain guide.
  2. You also appreciate that no other member of the group undertakes any obligations to you concerning your safety for which you remain solely responsible.
  3. You must ensure that your equipment is in good working order before setting off for the day and that you are suitably clothed for the proposed itinerary and all possible weather conditions.
  4. You must decide whether or not a particular run or route is within your competence.
  5. You must ensure that you are properly equipped for that day. If you are skiing off piste you must have a shovel, probe and transceiver, and know how to use them. If you are using a Ski Club transceiver, it is your sole responsibility to know how to use it.
  6. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are suitably insured for the activities intended to be undertaken.

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Reviews for this holiday(9)

Overall rating

star

Friendly and Helpful Staff

Richard, April 22, 2024

Excellent facilities. Friendly and helpful staff. Good food.

star

Excellent Food

Stephen, April 22, 2024

High quality family run hotel, excellent food and very friendly staff.

star

Very Helpful Guides

Richard, April 22, 2024

Felt very safe and confident in their abilities to guide. Very helpful. They also gave helpful skiing tips.