Ski & Snowboard

An independent review from Gary Van Haas

Ski / Snowboard > Skiing Overview

The Innsbruck area offers over 200 trails covering some 500 kilometers (310 miles). This area is good for beginner and intermediate skiers, but not as good for the advanced, since there are not enough challenging runs to keep high-level skiers happy.

The resorts around Innsbruck have slopes with both northern and southern exposure and most trails are above the tree line, which affords incredible views and unimpeded skiing. The average temperature in wintertime is 31 degrees Fahrenheit.

The environment is well organized, friendly, and hospitable. And since most of the resorts are located within an hour radius of town, the skiing is convenient as well.

Ski / Snowboard > Snowboarding

Innsbruck offers some fun snowboarding with many off-piste trails and wide terrain areas with half pipes, boarder X courses, whales, and quarter pipes. A few at Stubai Glacier are set aside for pure boarding use with special lift tickets, so be careful not to ski in these areas.

There are several boarder-specialist schools and clubs, which hold regular events throughout the winter season. Snowboarders run around in small groups around here and hang out together on a regular basis at the Blue Chip Disco. If you are new at snowboarding in Innsbruck, it's best to get out of the way of hot-doggers or you might get hurt.

In March, the famous Seegrube half-pipe is laid out to the world's top snowboarders in a contest called the Innsbruck Extreme. This is a huge event and draws a considerable crowd including quite a few students from the area.

Ski / Snowboard > Snow Conditions

The snow conditions in Innsbruck are generally very good. In the winter, there is a freshly fallen powder average of 12 to 20 inches and a base of 55 to 60 inches. In spring, the base is an average of about 37 to 45 inches, and summer snow is basically non-existent except on the peaks. In fall the snow base is about 28 to 40 inches.

If there is not a lot of snowfall, don't worry. There are 11 trails here with snowmakers out of some 65 skiable trails. Snowfall conditions in Innsbruck are comparable to that at the resort of Telluride, Colorado.

Ski / Snowboard > Lifts

The Innsbruck area has drag lifts, chairs, and gondolas, most of which are in very good condition. There are no high-tech lift access options available, or limits to lift ticket sales, so watch out because you will find lines backing up around the peak hours of between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The good part is they are usually sedate and orderly. Total uphill lift capacity is around 60,000 skiers per hour.

• Innsbruck Home |
• top ^
• Full Profile: 2 |
• 3 |
• 4 |
• 5 |
• 6 |
• 7

Ski / Snowboard > Rentals

Innsbruck has a wide selection and availability of skiing equipment for all levels, and rental shops usually offer discount packages for multi-day rentals. There are also special packages for group rentals and senior citizens. You will find that rental places are usually very friendly and helpful to foreigners and almost everyone speaks English.

There are quite a few rental shops here so that lines aren't very long and the equipment is usually of good condition and quality. Prices fluctuate very little throughout the season and most rental shops accept major credit cards for deposits on equipment. If you do not use a credit card, advance payment of 20 percent is required plus you may have to leave your passport as a security deposit.

The best rental shops are found at Igls resort, which are Austrian Rentals and Igls Ski-Shop, as well as Innsbruck Rentals located in the resort at Mutters. Most shops rent new technology skiing equipment, such as carving skis, cross-country gear, snowboards, etc., and some shops even offer a professional system for setting ski-bindings to ensure safety.

Prices are comparable to what you'd pay at a U.S. resort.

Ski / Snowboard > Lessons

Skiing lessons in Innsbruck are usually available in English, French, and German to all levels and ages of skiers including advanced, intermediate, and beginners. You can take a private lesson or a group lesson. There are also programs designed just for kids.

Most ski schools also offer accreditation with their courses and provide certificates. Some even offer cross-country and snowboarding lessons for beginners and intermediates. The bulk of classes are usually for adults between the ages of 20 to 40 years of age, however there are many different classes also offered for youngsters of varying ages between four and 19 years old, as well as special instruction and training for handicapped persons.

All in all, Innsbruck is a great place to learn the basics of skiing from some of the best professional skiers in the world. Don’t forget, this is the place where many of Austria’s champion skiers were taught. The best instructors and ski schools are found at the resorts of Igls and Mutter Alm.

Ski / Snowboard > Trails > Beginner

Innsbruck is a good destination for beginners; there are 26 high-quality beginner trails in the area. Special lift tickets are offered as are basic ski-school instruction packages.

The beginner runs in the Innsbruck area are similar to the beginner runs at Mammoth Mountain, California. Mutter Alm, for example, has some easy runs. Trails number 2, 3, and 5 are particularly good since they are served by one chairlift and three easy draglifts, which are helpful for novice skiers.

Most of the beginner trails are found at the bottom of the hill, so they don't get as much snow as some of the other trails further up the mountain. Beginner trails are usually at their best in late fall, winter, and early spring when the snow is heaviest. Some resorts, however, use snow machines in summer.

Beginner trails are designated by numbers and marked in green.

Ski / Snowboard > Trails > Intermediate

Innsbruck is most popular with intermediate skiers, as there are 33 trails for mid-level skiers around the area. Intermediate trails are well kept and plentiful.

Intermediate trails in Innsbruck are comparable to most intermediate trails you will find in Telluride, Colorado. The best intermediate trails in Innsbruck are found at the resorts of Igls, Kitzbühel, and Patscherkofel.

Patscherkofel is a good choice for groups skiing at different levels. There are gentle slopes for beginners and families, steep slopes for the advanced, fun-runs for children, cool runs for snowboarders, and the snow-making equipment ensures there will always be skiing even when there is little natural snow.

Intermediate trails are designated by numbers and marked in blue.

• Innsbruck Home |
• top ^
• Full Profile: 2 |
• 3 |
• 4 |
• 5 |
• 6 |
• 7

Ski / Snowboard > Trails > Advanced

In general, Innsbruck is not considered a premier advanced skier destination. There are not enough runs to satisfy a real thrill-seeker. Nevertheless, the 10 or so advanced runs that do exist are terrific. Stubai Glacier and Patscherkofel are your best bets with mogul trails, incredible jumps, and off-piste skiing.

Most trails are narrow and steep, and in bad weather, conditions can be difficult, so let the ski-patrol or your friends know when you're venturing out on a run and when you're expected to return back. Avalanches are prevalent around Stubai Glacier, so be careful and check for weather and snow conditions before venturing out.

Advanced and expert trails are numbered and designated in black.

Ski / Snowboard > Trails > Competition

Patscherkofel (7,365 feet) has Innsbruck's most popular racing run. This resort was home to the bobsled and downhill competitions for both 1972 and 1976 Innsbruck Olympics. Patscherkofel is also the place where "Kaiser" Franz Klammer won his famous Olympic Gold medal victory in the 1972 Men's Downhill Championships.

The only problem is that most of these runs are generally unavailable to public use and are for professional skiers or club members. But another good place to try is Stubai Glacier , where there are also some excellent off-piste runs at trail numbers 12 and 14.

Ski / Snowboard > Other Skiing > Night Skiing

Night skiing is available in the Innsbruck area, mostly at the resorts of Igls and Mutter Alm. The lighting is good and it's a great chance to pick yourself out a torch and head down the mountain at night without all the crowds to hinder you. Closing time is around midnight, when almost everyone heads down to the discos and bars. No special tickets are required; your regular day passes will also work at night.

Ski / Snowboard > Other Skiing > Heliskiing

There is no heliskiing in Innsbruck.

Ski / Snowboard > Other Skiing > Cross-Country

There are 124 miles of cross-country skiing in Innsbruck comparable to Chamonix, France and Gstaad, Switzerland in style and length. Most are located near the main ski areas, and shops offer all the necessary equipment and instructions if needed.

The quality of loops is very good with huts provided every 10 to 15 miles along the trails. Most cross-country trails are located near the resorts where skiers are protected from the winds and cold. Unfortunately, sometimes a season is cut short due to lack of snowfall, but you will find it's usually good from December to March.

There are many options for cross-country skiing in Igls with several loops and trails, also another trail for cross-country skiing with 6 km (3.7 miles) loop at Mutters. Cross-country skiing here can be compared to cross-country skiing in New Hampshire. In all, there are about 20 miles in trails that can be used in Innsbruck, and all necessary equipment can be rented.

Ski / Snowboard > For Children > Ski / Winter Activities

Daycare and babysitting is available for all age ranges in Innsbruck. The facilities are generally of good quality and the staff at all resorts speak English. Most facilities are close to the other activities, so parents can cut down on travel time. Transportation for children to and from facilities is easy and ski buses will usually accommodate families.

Pedestrian areas are provided for child safety and everywhere in Innsbruck there are discounts provided for children’s lift tickets and equipment rentals. Igls is a great mountain resort for kids to take lessons or ski on with easy runs made almost kid-safe. Some facilities even have snow gardens for kids and there are several nursery areas and beginner slopes, which offer children lessons. Lesson ages range from five to 15. Some of the non-ski or après-ski activities available to children are the city’s historical museums, traditional puppet shows, movie theaters, and night skiing.

• Innsbruck Home |
• top ^
• Full Profile: 2 |
• 3 |
• 4 |
• 5 |
• 6 |
• 7