Corine Land Cover 2000 - Glaciers

Glaciers take up only a small percentage of the area of Tyrol (2,4%). They only occur above approx. 3000 m. The catchment areas of glaciers prefer a north-easterly location where there is little sunshine, but where the west wind deposits snow. Depending on their size, glacier tongues can reach far down into the valleys. The biggest glacier regions are found in the main alpine range in the Ötztaler and Zillertaler Alpen and on the Ortler.

Despite their limited extent, or perhaps because of it, the general public is very concerned about the fate of the glaciers. The effects of climatic changes are easily recognisable in such a sensitive environment and melting glacier tongues are a clear sign to everyone that conditions are changing.

For Tyrol, the use of the glaciers for tourism is extremely important. Since the first glacier ski areas opened up in the mid-1960s, they have become an enormous economic factor for the regions concerned.