Standing on the slopes non-stop during the ski holiday is a thing of the past. At least, if we are to believe the latest trends. Winter sports are increasingly being combined with cultural excursions, wellness or sightseeing. Innsbruck is the perfect base for such a versatile snow holiday. With 13 ski areas around, there are more than enough slopes and winter activities that you can alternate with visits to the city.
To ski or not to ski
The basis of a successful skiing holiday is of course in a beautiful ski area. Those who choose Innsbruck have access to no fewer than 13 ski areas, all of which are within an hour's travel time from the center of the city. So you can stay in the middle of the city and choose every day between 400 kilometers of slopes in the area. Tired of skiing? Then the city offers plenty of alternatives, such as gastronomy, culture and wellness.
Sniffing culture
Immerse yourself in the wealth left behind by the Hapsburg dynasty in this Alpine town. Visit the Hofkerk, the Hofburg, the Golden Roof, and Ambras Palace. Or experience how the Tyrolean peasants used to live in the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. Not much of an art lover? Then admire the view from the Bergisel ski jump, explore the Audioversum Science Center or visit the Alpenzoo; the highest zoo in Europe.
Alternative Activities
Don't feel like skiing but want to stay active? With the SKI + CITY pass you also get access to the Olympiaworld ice rink and various swimming pools in the city. Of course you can also go on a winter walk through the city or through the mountains that embrace the city. Various routes are described on the Innsbruck Tourismus website.
Mountain walks
Various hikes start into the mountains from the center of Innsbruck. Because the city is surrounded on all sides by high peaks, you can walk into nature within a few minutes. Walk towards the Olympic ski jump and admire the views on the Panorama Ronde, or opt for the route towards Hungerburg, which leads past the AlpenZoo and the Perspektivenweg. The latter not only offers a wonderful perspective on the city, but also inspires hikers to discover their inner perspectives based on the insights of the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Snowshoeing
Prefer off the beaten track? With good snowshoes – and they no longer look like old tennis rackets – and waterproof trousers you can also hike unprepared routes. Leave your own footprints in the fresh snow and discover the beautiful surroundings of Innsbruck. Explore the peaks of Patscherkofel, the Mieminger plateau and Stubai, for example.
Gastronomy
Where the culinary offer in ski villages is often limited, Innsbruck offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars. Due to its geographical location, both the 'heimic' Tyrolean cuisine and the Mediterranean Italian cuisine are well represented. In addition, you will find all kinds of international restaurants from Thai to Argentinian, and from American to Japanese. For vegetarians and vegans, the city offers many more options than the well-known piste dishes 'kaiserschmarrn' and 'spaghetti bolognese'.
Wellness
Alternate a cold ski day with a warm wellness day. The SKI+CITY pass offers access to 3 indoor heated swimming pools and the StuBay sauna. Enjoy infusion rituals in the Finnish, Turkish or Panorama sauna. Axams Pool and StuBay both have special pools for the little ones.
