The effect of the present-day climate on a typical Alpine valley glacier is demonstrated on the 30-a record of mass balance of Hintereisferner. The balances of 1952–53 to 1981–82 were determined by the direct glaciological method, occasionally checked by geodetic volume comparison. The series includes three negative and two positive extremes, the first 15 a being predominantly negative. Specific balances for 100 m altitude zones have been established for all years except two. These records are supplemented by climatic data from a nearby valley station, and, since 1969, by temperature records taken at the equilibrium line and at the glacier front. Based on these and other records, a model is developed that describes the altitudinal and temporal development of mass and energy balance using temperature and precipitation. The performance of this model is tested for various climates.