+ 10
Nockspitze West Face
Backcountry Skiing Route
Details
1.72 mi
1,206 ft
One of the most classic views over Innsbruck and a great ski descent
The Nockspitze is one of the closest mountains to town, located to the south-west side of the city, it creates a triangle with Nordkette on the north side and Patscherkofel on the south-east, enclosing Innsbruck in the middle. This peak is really famous and climbed in every season for different kind of mountain activities: from hiking and paragliding in summer, to ski touring in winter. Its location makes it a perfect spot for admiring the sunrise over Glungezer and the sunset over Mieminger Kette, with the city always down there - that’s the reason why many outdoor lovers living in town often camp up here!
The tour could either start down from the parking where the Birgitzalm route starts or - as shown in this route - take advantage of the two seater chairlift starting from Axamer Lizum parking lot and ride all the way up to the west face of Nockspitze itself: from here it will be a really fast climb to the top! From the top of the lift - where the Birgitzerköpflhaus is located - the route goes all around the southern flank of the mountain before then going up a mellow ridge that will lead you all the way up to the cross.
From the top, multiple descents are possible but the easiest one and most common is following the west face, going straight down to the hut again - where you could stop and enjoy the sun shining on the Kalkoggel rocky faces and dream about your next adventure in between those steep walls. For getting back to Axamer Lizum parking lot, just follow the slope under the chairlift from here - remember thought that it is not always groomed and it can require some pretty challenging mogul skiing! Written by Francesco Drago
The Nockspitze is one of the closest mountains to town, located to the south-west side of the city, it creates a triangle with Nordkette on the north side and Patscherkofel on the south-east, enclosing Innsbruck in the middle. This peak is really famous and climbed in every season for different kind of mountain activities: from hiking and paragliding in summer, to ski touring in winter. Its location makes it a perfect spot for admiring the sunrise over Glungezer and the sunset over Mieminger Kette, with the city always down there - that’s the reason why many outdoor lovers living in town often camp up here!
The tour could either start down from the parking where the Birgitzalm route starts or - as shown in this route - take advantage of the two seater chairlift starting from Axamer Lizum parking lot and ride all the way up to the west face of Nockspitze itself: from here it will be a really fast climb to the top! From the top of the lift - where the Birgitzerköpflhaus is located - the route goes all around the southern flank of the mountain before then going up a mellow ridge that will lead you all the way up to the cross.
From the top, multiple descents are possible but the easiest one and most common is following the west face, going straight down to the hut again - where you could stop and enjoy the sun shining on the Kalkoggel rocky faces and dream about your next adventure in between those steep walls. For getting back to Axamer Lizum parking lot, just follow the slope under the chairlift from here - remember thought that it is not always groomed and it can require some pretty challenging mogul skiing! Written by Francesco Drago