Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner

Mittelbergferner is one of the biggest glaciers in Tyrol (surface area 9 km2, length 6 km). It is located at the southern end of Pitztal in the Ötztaler Alpen. It is intensively used for tourism and can be reached by the underground Pitztaler Gletscherbahn. There are a number of ski lifts on the glacier surface and a gondola lift to the top of Hinterer Brunnenkogel (highest gondola lift in Austria). Part of the touristic infrastructure is located on the adjacent Brunnenkogelferner.

Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Northwestern firn basin of Mittelbergferner in the foreground; Karlesferner is on the far left (photo taken from Hinterer Brunnenkogel; JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
At the upper end of the gondola lift to Hinterer Brunnenkogel (3438m.a.s.l.) there is an excellent view over Mittelberg-, Brunnenkogel- and Taschachferner (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Ski lift in the western part of the accumulation area of Mittelbergferner; Taschachferner and Wildspitze (3768m, highest mountain in TyrolTyrol) in the back (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Firn stratigraphy in the accumulation area of Mittelbergferner. This is a zoom on the lower left part of the previous photo (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Aerial photo of Brunnenkogelferner and the western firn basin of Mittelbergferner (far left; AB).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Aerial photo of the southeastern firn basin of Mittelbergferner; Wildspitze in the background (AB).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Two parts of Mittelbergferner (left and centre), Brunnenkogelferner (lower right) and touristic infrastructure (bottom).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Upper station of Pitztaler Gletscherbahn (bottom), several ski lifts and water reservoir for snowmaking (AB).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Tongues of Karlesferner (upper left) and Mittelbergferner (AB).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Most of Mittelbergferner has very little moraine cover (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Snow-covered meltwater channel with many meanders (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Snow reserve covered by reflective blanket (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Water retention basin necessary for snowmaking (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Upper end of Pitztaler Gletscherbahn and water retention basin (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Tourist infrastructure at the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn (JA).
Mittelbergferner and Brunnenkogelferner
Leucanthemopsis alpina in the forefield of Mittelbergferner (JA).
Aerial photos 9th September 2008, Jakob Abermann, University of Innsbruck (AB); terrestrial photos 29th Juli 2009, Jürg Alean (JA).