Ski plus City Pass Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a different kind of ski holiday destination to most and it’s one that most skiers quickly fall in love with.

This amazing destination at the heart of the Alps combines one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with incredible skiing. The high-value SKI plus CITY pass provides access to a dozen ski centres located around the city and public transport to them. Not only that but you can also use your SKI plus CITY pass at 22 other attractions and a swimming pool in the greater Innsbruck area.

One moment you might be sitting in a street cafe with a view of the wonderful medieval buildings of Innsbruck’s Old Town, then less than half an hour later you can be skiing the slopes at more than 2,000 metres above sea level. There’s no other pass like it worldwide!

The pass includes slopes for all abilities, even runs used by the world’s best on the multiple occasions Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics, as well as the snowsure glacier slopes of the Stubai Valley.

The toughest choice you face is which of the ski areas you visit each morning of your holiday?  But whichever you choose you’ll find great skiing, spectacular scenery, and cosy mountain huts to warm up and fill up in.

Axamer Lizum is one of the most popular and closest to the city with fabulous cruising runs as well as  300 hectares of ungroomed slopes for freeride fun.

For families, the Muttereralm is a great choice, and it is very close to the centre and located right above the city.

A day trip to the high-altitude slopes of the Stubai Glacier is a must. As well as 35 slopes including some incredible long descents, the centre has a world-class terrain park and one of the world’s longest ski seasons, from mid-autumn to late spring.

The Patscherkofel is another ski centre you’ll want to visit. From here you can enjoy amazing views out over the city. It’s another excellent choice for families but there’s also a steep and deep side to the slopes here making it a favourite with good skiers and boarders too.

Another top choice for good skiers seeking challenging terrain is Nordkette whilst the high-altitude slopes of Kühtai are known for their deep powder and are also open for night skiing with floodlit runs if you need still more slope time!

Thanks to Innsbruck’s accurate and frequently updated snow report, you can always stay well informed about the current conditions on and off the slopes.

Of course, you don’t have to ski. Innsbruck offers a vast choice of attractions and activities off the slopes making it a perfect choice for a ski and city break, or if you have non-skiers in your group.

The city’s famous Golden Roof is a must-see, the Imperial Palace, the historic Old Town and numerous museums and galleries offer an insight into the history and culture of the region. There’s also great shopping for a retail therapy session too.

But the Innsbruck region is famous for its sports on snow and ice and that means lots of other activities besides downhill skiing and snowboarding. There are 80km of wonderful cross-country trails in the region. You can also try snowshoeing, go on a sleigh ride or explore magnificent alpine landscapes on a relaxed winter hike or enjoy a long descent down one of the region’s fun-filled toboggan runs.  In fact, you’re sure to find whatever you are looking for on a winter holiday here.

The Bergisel ski jump, which you can see on TV screens each year on the 3^rd or 4^th of January when it hosts a stage of the famous Four Hills tournament each year between December 28^th and January 6th. is well worth a visit, offering incredible views out over the city from the observation tower. You can also be wowed by its amazing architecture and eat in the ski jump restaurant. The world-famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its glittering world of crystals is a short trip from the city.

In the evening you could be dining at one of the city’s hundreds of fabulous restaurants and then dancing in one of the popular clubs in the trendy student quarter.

Visit in the month before Christmas to enjoy several different magical Advent markets too. It’s a magical time in the city, Christmas lights twinkle and the air is filled with the smell of roasted chestnuts, Kiachl (fried dough with various sweet and savoury toppings) and mulled wine.

There are several different Christmas markets to choose from, the largest in the Old Town with stalls nestled between medieval buildings and the city’s famous Golden Roof. Here Austrian Turmbläser (brass brands) play traditional Christmas music from the Golden Roof itself. Apart from visiting the enticing stalls, it’s worth going up on the viewing platform to take in the whole magical scene. A walk down Kiebachgasse is a must as in December it is transformed into a fairy tale lane.

Besides this main market, there are several more bustling, charming little markets and for something different, the Christmas market on Maria Theresien Street has stunning displays of cool modern Christmas lights and market stalls offering less traditional, more international gifts. Whichever you choose, the region’s Christmas markets will give you an extra serving of Christmas spirit.

Museum or mountain? Rooftop bar or mountain hut? Cow bells or Baroque music? Ski boots or high heels? You’re spoilt for choice in the Innsbruck region! The city and the mountains are so closely intertwined here that sightseeing in the city and adventures in the mountains go hand in hand.

And it’s all so easy to reach by road, rail or the airport on the edge of the city – so no long transfers either.

Innsbruck is a unique urban alpine region with a huge outdoor focus. It’s great to be outdoors.

Learn more about the Innsbruck Region: innsbruck.info/en/

Main Image © Innsbruck Tourismus / Tommy Bause

InTheSnow Resort Guide