Innsbruck in winter literally is your oyster when it comes to winter sports and activities. Time to start exploring, are you ready to hit the snow? Let’s go!
The 10 best things to do in Tirol for skiers & non-skiers
1. Skiing & Snowboarding
Let’s start with the obvious one. Innsbruck is surrounded by 7 ski resorts which ca be reached within 30minutes. The closest ones are Nordkette and Patscherkofel – connected by the bus line J, which conveniently runs through Innsbruck every 10minutes during weekdays. Glungezer, Muttereralm, Schlick 2000, Axamer Lizum and Rosshütte Seefeld are also really close by, just like Berger Alm, Mieders and Kühtai.
If you stay in Innsbruck in a hotel, there is even a free ski bus shuttle. The beauty of being in the middle of many resorts is that you can choose where to go on a daily basis. So if, for example it only snowed North of Innsbruck then Seefeld is a great place to go it! If the snow storms came from the South you might want to try Schlick 2000.
2. Ski Touring
In recent years the trend to go ski touring or split boarding as grown significantly. Most ski resorts have dedicated ski touring routes and days when night time touring is allowed. Make sure you don’t use slopes to go up unless they’re clearly marked for ascent!
Also there are a few ski slopes that haven’t been in use for decades by now but are still great to go ski touring on. Look for: Birgitzer Köpfel Skitour, Grünberg, Sattelberg Alm or Gschwandtkopf.
The ski touring huts around Innsbruck actually take turns on which days they’re open till late, so locals can head out for an afterwork ski tour. It all makes sense once you’re up there, eating a hot soup ready to go down with your head lamp.
3. Cross Country Skiing
We certainly have enough mountains to ski down but there is something about cross country skiing that we just love. It looks easier than alpine skiing, however if you want to do it 100% right you probably will need an instructor to learn it.
4. Sledding | Tobogganing
All you need is a sled, a change of clothes, sturdy boots, ski googles & a helmet to be on the safe side. Sleds can be rented at carious places, sometimes the huts even offer to rent them one way (down) so don’t even have to pull them up before sledding down!
Great places to go tobogganing around Innsbruck are:
- Juifenau Rodelbahn – long but so worth it
- Maria Waldrast – a family favourite, well taken care of and sleds can be rented at the restaurant
- Naviser Hütte – perfect for anyone scared of speed, fairly flat sledding
- Birgitzer Alm – easy to reach, also by bus, a great place to get started
- Milderaun – a wonderful one in Stubaital with great food at the hut
- Halltal – steep in some parts and speedy but very quiet and beautiful
Check out winterrodeln.org for up to date conditions and reports (in German).
5. Watch Ski Jumping at Berg Isel
Why not watch those daredevil ski jumpers from up close? Once a year during the Vierschanzentournee tournament all eyes are on the Innsbruck ski jump, which was designed by Zaha Hadid. However, training sessions take place almost daily in summer and winter.
6. Ice skating
You’d be surprised how many ice skating rings there are in the villages around Innsbruck. For the biggest ice rink head to Olympiastadion! Ice skating on natural frozen lakes is only possible when it’s cold enough (January is your best bet!), for example at: Lanser See, Möserer See or Piburger See in Ötztal. B.Y.O. ice skates.
7. Ice fishing in Leutasch
Less known, but an amazing experience if you’re into fishing! There are very places where fishing is allowed for everyone in Tirol, but the Waidachsee in Leutasch offers ice fishing. All needed gear can be rented at an extra price. You’ll have a hole to yourself to try your luck. Dress warm – depending on your bait and skills it can take a while till you have enough fish for dinner.
Only possible as long as there is enough ice on the lake!
8. Snow shoeing
It might sound kinda lame, but it can be very challenging and is a beautiful way to enjoy a quiet time away from the crowds. Great places to go snowshoeing around Innsbruck:
- Telfer Wiesen at the entrance of Stubai
- Seefeld Brunschkopf and Wildmoosalm
- Feldringer Alm – Faltegartenköpfel near Kühtai
- Viggartal to Meissnerhaus
9. Figln in spring
„Figln“ or „firngleiten“ is a winter sport only known to locals. It starts when the ski areas are closing and the remaining snow gets super slushy. Learn and experience it at Nordkette above Innsbruck in April! Only possible for a short time, depending on weather and snow conditions.
10. Winter hiking
Marked and groomed winter hiking paths are becoming a thing in Tirol. One of the best places to enjoy long hikes (make a 4-day hike with nights at hotels!) is Seefeld in Tirol.
