If you're holidaying in the Mayrhofen area or skiing on the slopes of the Hintertux glacier, but the wind and snow have disrupted your plans, it's time to head to the Hintertux Ice Cave.
This is the realm of the Snow Queen, where you'll feel like you're about to see Kai folding the word 'eternity' out of shards of ice. And the children, who should definitely be brought along, will probably be waiting for Elsa, Anna and the incorrigibly optimistic snowman Olaf.
Only discovered in 2008, this unique site is located in Tyrol, Austria, near the 3,288-metre peak of the Gefrorene Wand. The maximum depth of the cave is 30 metres.
The frozen ice palace, timeless and impervious to the cataclysms of the world, invites travellers to stroll through its cold yet inviting halls and galleries.
Interiors of the Ice Palace
The entrance to the Hintertux Ice Cave (Natural ice palace) resembles the doors to a mythical hero's house: narrow, winding corridors, frozen waterfalls and an underground lake with crystal-clear water await you inside.
A river runs through the depths of the cave and you can even float down it in a rubber dinghy. All the water is elaborately illuminated, shimmering in shades of azure and turquoise.
The bizarre ice shapes created by nature are also complemented by modern technology and illuminated in original ways, creating a spectacular visualisation of a polar night or a dark red northern sunset.
In some places the walls are smooth, like an eggshell, while in others they are textured with ice and transparent crystals. The main "decoration" of the cave interior are icicles and stalactites, ice statues and bas-reliefs, created by the greatest artist and craftsman of all time - nature.
During the tour you will see a deep shaft, several metres in diameter, which descends hundreds of metres into the unexplored thickness of the ice.
Tourist Information
- To get to the top, where the entrance to the cave is located, you need to buy a lift ticket and ride it up 200 metres.
- Payment is only accepted in cash.
- There are no toilets at the top, so it is best to go to the toilet just before visiting the cave.
- The tour involves walking on ice and climbing up and down aluminum ladders, so it is suitable for active lovers and children over 6 years old.
- Some areas are lined with rubber, but it's still slippery nearly everywhere, so you should wear comfortable shoes with treads. Ski boots are definitely not suitable.
- You shouldn't get too warm, as the temperature inside the glacier stays at 0°C.
- Everyone is given a helmet before the trip, but you can bring your own if you use it while skiing.
- There is an extra charge for photo opportunities, but a tip will help the guide keep a low profile.
- You should wear sunglasses before leaving the cave to allow your eyes to get used to the bright daylight. Otherwise, you could literally go blind for a couple of minutes and get a headache.
- If you have any questions during the tour, the friendly and professional guides will help you solve them.
VIP offers
You can book a walk into the depths of the cave in advance, or you can also book one of the optional extras. These are premium offers that you will have to pay a lot for in order to experience the thrill and to visit the depths of the cave, which you can't get into with a regular ticket.
- This is an exclusive photography tour for up to four people and lasts 2 hours. Children are welcome to take part, but only from the age of 12. This is a great opportunity to beautify your blog with unique photos to the envy of your readers.
- Surfboarding with a paddle board on the lake to the remotest corners of the cave.
- Diving for professionals and amateurs, as well as for those who want to have this extreme experience for the first time.
- Kayaking on the underground river (a single boat is provided, but other equipment must be brought with you).
There are many ski resorts in the Zillertal, but the closest to Cave is the village of Hintertux, with upmarket hotels and challenging slopes.
Note, however, that all the restaurants are in the half-board hotels, so you'll have to take a taxi to the village itself to dine outside the hotel.
The Ice Palace Cave has only recently been discovered, so there is little information about its history and origins.
It is now being studied intensively by staff from the University of Innsbruck. We hope that we will soon be able to lift the veil of its secrets and discover many fascinating facts.
