The Gilfert is not only one of the prime ski tours in the Tux Alps, but is also not far from the popular freeride spot of Hochfügen. As everything is quickly tracked in the ski area, there are often only short ascents with skins. The nearby Gilfert, although much frequented, usually still offers space for fresh tracks in one of the numerous downhill variants.
Ascent
The starting point is the mountain station of the Pfaffenbühel chairlift. You first cross just below the lift to the north and reach the usually relatively wide and easy ridge that leads over the Metzen to the Gilfert. As numerous descents are accessed from this ridge, there is often a well-maintained trail. You can usually even ascend to the Gilfert with skis on your backpack, but it is usually more pleasant with skins.
After a short ridge hike with occasional ups and downs, the summit at 2506m is quickly reached, now it's time to decide where you want to descend!
Descent
There are two options if you want to descend back to Hochfügen. You can descend from a small ridge north-east of the summit to the south-east via a very steep slope directly towards the ski area. Caution is advised here, as the slope is mostly blown in and quite steep, and it is also practically impossible to see from above, so this option is only possible for safe skiers who also have good orientation skills in the terrain in favorable avalanche conditions! Alternatively, you can first ski down to the north-east to a small plateau, from where you can enter the cirque between Sonntagsköpfl and Grosser Gamsstein at several points. After the steep entrance, you descend rather flat down the cirque before turning right and practically circling the Sonntagsköpfl. You will soon reach a cross-country ski trail on which you can ski back to Hochfügen.
Alternatively, you can also ski down into the Tux valley to Gasthof Innerst instead of Hochfügen. To do this, first descend from the summit in a westerly direction to the buildings of the Nonsalm. From there, you cross to the west before descending through forest aisles to Gasthof Innerst.
The longest descent variant leads from the summit of the Gilfert almost to Zalln am Weerberg. From the summit, you first head north briefly, then over a steep slope to the NW to the Lafaster Alm. From the alpine huts, continue downhill for about 200 meters to a forest road, cross to the left over a ditch, turn right at the next fork in the road and soon cross the ski slope of the small ski area into the valley. If the snow conditions are excellent, you can ski down to Weerberg on the right of the piste.
Information
Difficulty (5-level scale): ***
Special dangers: none
Average steepness/Maximum steepness: 30°/ 40°
Exposure: Ascent S, descent SE, NE, NW or SW
Altitude difference start and finish: 2.431 m | 1500 m, 1280 m, 900m
Altitude difference uphill and downhill: approx. 100 m | 1100 m, 1400 m, 1600 m
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Best time of year: December - March
Accommodation: Miscellaneous in Zillertal
Addresses: Zillertal Tourismus, +43 (0) 528 88 71 87, Skigebiet Hochfügen, +43 (0) 528 86 23 19
How to get there: Inntalautobahn to the Zillertal exit, there into the valley and then turn right to Hochfügen
Topographical maps: AV map Tux Alps with ski markings 1:50000
