In a strange way, the Hintertux experience is about so much more than just ‘Hintertux’. The village itself is very limited when it comes to apres ski and nightlife, and the vast majority of restaurants are to be found in the hotels at the foot of the glacier cable car. At the head of the Tuxertal (Tux Valley) this small collection of hotels can appear bleak and soulless, a stark contrast to the world renowned resort of Mayrhofen at the far end of Zillertal 3000 ski area. The chances are however that you may not be staying in one of these hotels, and the surrounding villages of Juns, Madseit, Lanersbach and Vorderlanersbach (all linked by regular shuttle bus) often act as popular bases for people skiing the magnificent Hintertux glacier. Each village has its own star attractions and whilst the area is seen as a weekend resort there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a varied culinary and apres ski experience, even if staying for a full week, by making use of the efficient bus service. Tux will never be party central but if you scratch the surface you may find a vibe that will have you coming back for more year after year.
The Tux valley is an offshoot of the massive Ziller Valley but has its own distinct culinary traditions and way of life. It is one of the best areas in which to experience true Austrian Gemutlichkeit – a concept that has no exact translation but falls somewhere between warmth, friendliness, and welcoming. Every village has authentic taverns with locals in Lederhosen, restaurants offering Tyrolean specialities prepared with fresh local produce, and the odd crazy nightclub thrown in for good measure. It is hard to imagine anywhere else where you can spend hours drinking firewater, trying to hammer a nail into a tree stump with an axe, laughing and joking with burly bearded locals, and occasionally breaking off to dance to the likes of DJ Otzi and Unkle Kracker! It can, and probably will, happen in the villages of the Tuxertal!
When skiing the glacier there is a fairly limited choice of mountain restaurants but it is also so high that it makes heading down to the valley for lunch a bit tricky. The restaurants that are available on the glacier are best described as being adequate without setting the world on fire. On a cold day at over 3000m a steaming hot bowl of soup will always be welcome, but if you can get away with a packed lunch you may be better saving your money for the evenings.
