Innsbruck

Innsbruck
days on the slopes with culture

Major Winter Olympics Innsbruck has had two Olympic Games. Almost 50 years later, the image as an alpine sports metropolis remains unbroken. The bobsleigh and toboggan run in Igls may at least be used again at the 2026 Games for ecological reasons. In the guest bobsleigh, everyone can get a fantastic impression of what it's like on the ice track. The image contributed to the fact that the Olympic city has long since become a student city, with over 30,000 young people who swarm out into nature whenever possible.

Innsbruck has grown, but not nearly as much as its tourist dimension. Around 25 villages in the area, many of them with fine ski areas, are bustling under the (Golden) Roof of Innsbruck. It even gave its name to the "Golden Roof Park" in the Axamer Lizum, which is impressive with its enormous jumps. The peaks of the Axamer Lizum can be seen from Innsbruck, as can the Patscherkofel and the Nordkette - which rises steeply directly from the Inn anyway. It is an uplifting feeling for tourists and locals alike to look down 1,600 meters from the Hafelekar into the old town and still be in Innsbruck's city area. If you want to experience a real spectacle, this is the place for you. The selection of lifts is modest. The first stop on the Seegrube is the Hungerburgbahn, designed by star architect Zara Hadid, before you float up to the Seegrube on the cable car. There is a nice slope with a chairlift and a fantastic view of the city, and there is also a fun park on the Seegrube itself. If you're serious, you can float one last stage up to the Hafelekar - if conditions allow it. If you can, you can go down: on the Direttissima, under the cable car. It's only really dangerous if the treeless terrain is icy. Alternatively, you can take the Karrinne. If conditions are good, you can see freeskiers and boarders trying to capture their jump high above the city on video.

From the Nordkette you can see not only the town, but also the Isel mountain or, best of all, the Patscherkofel Olympic mountain, another traditional ski area. The historic cable car has since been rebuilt, and the valley station is now not far from the bobsleigh run in Igls. However, it is used more in summer. When the snow conditions are right, it is a local mountain well prepared with machine-made snow and with a family-friendly fun slope. Unfortunately, strong foehn winds are also a frequent guest here. The Mutters ski area can be seen on the other side of the Wipptal. Perhaps the best area to perfect your turns from the second or third day of the ski course. Two cable cars - one from Mutters, one from Götzens - serve the mountain from two sides. The Götzner run, once built as a replacement run for the Patscherkofel run, is a mostly hard speed run that is often used for local races. Mutters is not yet merged with the Axamer Lizum, but it should only be a matter of time. When the old lift in the high alpine Lizum goes up to the Birgitzköpfl, Götzens and Mutters can also be reached with a beautiful descent.

The Axamer Lizum is probably the most alpine of the ski centers close to the city. Last year, the Hoadlbahn was completely rebuilt. With the new route, you "fly" from the car park to the mountain station in just six minutes. At the bottom, there are now no crossings back to the valley station and car park, although the bridge is a little narrow. The Lizum itself is a very challenging area with several powder variants. It is no coincidence that the modern training center of the Tyrolean Ski Instructors Association is also located here. Under the striking Kalkkögel mountains, the slopes of the Hoadl are usually tough, especially the men's run on the left when viewed from above. Overall, a carver-friendly environment predominates, for example on the Pleissen. The Golden Roof Park mentioned at the beginning is always heavily used, while the fun slope on the wonderful women's run is only prepared when there is enough natural snow. There is always an echo rock at this point, however. It is not marked, so just try it out!

Glungezer and Rangger Köpfl are other ski areas in the area surrounding the city. On the Glungezer (near Tulfes) the ancient chairlift has been replaced by a 10-person cable car. In addition, there are five smaller lifts for a total of 23 kilometers of slopes. The Rangger Köpfl above the Inn Valley near Oberperfuss is quite comparable. Two sections with 8-person gondolas and four small lifts make up this ski area, which is brightly lit until midnight on tobogganing evenings.

The Kühtai, which is 2,000 meters high and already relatively far from Innsbruck, is part of Innsbruck's winter offer. In addition to the numerous slopes, the highest toboggan run in Tyrol has recently been opened. The footpath up is comfortably separated from the run, which makes it safer. The same goes for the toboggan guides who are often present. Innsbruck seems far away from the ski areas, but even in the center of Innsbruck you can find people in ski boots. And students who cycle to the valley station with skis or boards on their backs.
When driving through the villages and ski resorts in the area, one thing cannot be overlooked: Even if the city rarely covers itself in a white blanket, winter still takes place in urban areas.

The free Welcome Card is available to guests staying in the city for at least two nights. Perhaps most importantly, the card is a ticket for public transport in the city and in the country. All in all, it is a cost-effective way to take part in a range of leisure activities. The included participation in the guided activity program even gives you the chance to exchange ideas with other holidaymakers. This also allows you to get from the city to the villages, for example to take a cross-country skiing taster course in Kühtai or to go on a winter hike on the romantic Mieminger Plateau. The Welcome Card also offers discounts on many winter sports activities, indoor swimming pools and cultural events in the city.

Who lives in the city, of course, also wants to experience some of the culture. If you come in the run-up to Christmas or at New Year, you will find a "full program" outdoors. First and foremost the Christmas market, which has been around for 50 years, but also the bright and quiet New Year's Eve in the mountains. Anyone who is attracted by museums can use a classic City Card, as can be found in most cities. A real rarity - and this brings us back to skiing - is the Ski plus City Pass, which guests can buy if they stay for two days or more. The ticket includes not only the ski areas, but also visits to 23 sights in and around Innsbruck. Almost all of Innsbruck's attractions are included. As are some of the trips from the ski area to the sights.