Is St Johann in Tirol The Most Tirolean of Tirolean Resorts?
Is St. Johann the most typically Tirolean of all the ski areas in Tirol? There’s a big choice of destinations in the world-famous Austrian ski province of course, so lots of competition for the title but St Johann starts off well by having ‘Tirol’ in its name – St Johann in Tirol being the full moniker.
St. Johann has long been one of the main destinations of Tirol, a market town with a copper and silver mining history dating back to before even Roman times. So it was a popular place to be even before skiing became popular in the area over a century ago and it is busy year-round with plenty of long-established businesses not reliant on winter tourism.
(c)Claudia Egger
The silver mining business, which continued until only a few hundred years ago, helped fund many of the grand buildings in St Johann, including the imposing church with its two spires.
Besides the church towers the 30m high tower of the local Huber Bräu brewery is another mark of that historic wealth. Its establishment dates back three centuries, but it remains family-run, serving up a great selection of beers, as well as fabulous views from the top of the tower.
The Slopes
St Johann also meets a familiar marker for ski areas in the Tirol, having a compact ski area of 43km of slopes where you’re soon familiar with all the slopes, but it’s also included on one of the world’s biggest regional passes, so you can ski and dozens of ski areas around, of all shapes and sizes, if you wish.
©Mirja Geh
The SuperSkiCard, of which St Johann’s slopes are a part, is the world’s biggest ski pass covering the slopes of 87 resorts, a combined total of 2,815km of slopes served by 937 lifts, all on one pass!
St Johann’s own ski area on the famous Kitzbüheler Horn mountain is particularly beginner-friendly with excellent, gentle slopes for those first turns then plenty of cruising for intermediate skiers too. The human-scale ski domain with mostly easy slopes makes it a perfect choice for families too. It’s easy to reach as well with the Harschbichlbahn gondola giving skiers quick and easy access from the village to the slopes.
©Mirja Geh
There are terrain parks for those who love their freestyle, and while advanced terrain is limited there is an FIS-rated racing piste – the only black run in the resort – for those in search of a challenge. For more tough terrain, the vast region of Kitzbühel is just a short shuttle bus ride away.
Families with young children though might opt to travel to nearby Kirchdorf where there is a special beginners learning area for kids and adults alike.
Not to forget that cross-country skiing in the region is a popular pastime when the snow is good in the valley with two separate areas offering a total of 29km of trails of all difficulty levels. For those who aren’t skilled on skinny skis, this is the perfect place to start, with rentals, tuition and a lovely location for your first excursions.
Fabulous Food
Food is of course another tick box on the list of top Tirolean attractions and here St Johann does not disappoint, with both great eateries in town, and plenty of ‘huts’ (family-run mountain restaurants) on the ski slopes to keep you fuelled up with the best home-made food you’ll find anywhere.
©Mirja Geh
Elegant Villa Masianco tops the Tripadvisor reviews in town with Grander Schupf the most popular on-mountain establishment, ranked highly for its location and views, as well as the amazing food and great service.
Of course, there are international flavours on offer too, Himal is highly rated for Indian and Nepalese cuisine, La Rustica for Italian and you can eat Thai specialities at Nini.
Lots of Do
Part of the fun of a ski holiday in St Johann in Tirol is the full calendar of events and activities that are organised throughout the season and through every week of the season.
Depending on when you visit you can experience a beautiful Christmas market, watch horse-drawn sleigh races, party in the town square on New Year’s Eve, take part in the St. Johann Carnival Fun with DJ at the main square or watch the St. Johann SkiShow at the Harschbichl Gondola’s Valley Station.
Families will love Kids on Snow, a special snow festival for children and whenever you visit you can enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt in Kirchdorf. The weekly programme includes activities like guided snowshoe hikes (including by starlight) and experiences like the chance to try the exciting sport of biathlon.
(c)StefanWörgötter
A Visitor Card given free to all overnight guests in St Johann provides free and discounted activities, services and other offers.
Easy To Reach
Next up is the ease of access. Ski areas in Tirol are among the easiest in Europe to reach with a short flight from the UK, or you can make a comfortable train journey if you have more time to spare. But St. Johann is just a one-hour transfer from either Salzburg or Innsbruck airports, doubling the route choice. EasyJet has flights from London Gatwick or Luton to both Innsbruck and Salzburg, and there are plenty of other options from regional hubs across the UK too.
Where to Stay?
There’s a great choice of accommodation in St Johann, with traditional pensions, comfortable hotels of all-star ratings and spacious apartments too.
The modern Sentido Alpenhotel Kaiserfels brings the best of all worlds and is located right on the slopes at Eichenhof on the edge of town.
The hotel combines traditional, natural elements with design-oriented architecture and high-tech features like the modern infotainment system. There’s also a spa complete with an indoor pool boasting great views of the surrounding mountain scenery, saunas, steam bath, fitness and massage/beauty treatments.
For on-site dining there’s both a main restaurant and an à-la-carte restaurant; a choice of three bars and an on-site Intersport shop. All rooms are equipped with satellite flatscreen TV, free wireless internet and infotainment system, coffee/tea making facilities, balcony, shower/WC.
In Summary…
So back to the original question, is St. Johann the most typically Tirolean of all the ski areas in Tirol? With great family facilities, everything close at hand, wonderful places to eat and stay, a friendly local ski area, with the option to XXL your snowsports with an area pass and it is all quick and easy to reach from the UK? The answer is a great big “yes!”
Fact Box
More info: HERE
Flights: 1-hour transfer from either Innsbruck or Salzburg.
Private transfers from Salzburg to St. Johann are €296 with https://www.tirol-taxi.at/en-home
Ski and boot hire: Sport Patrick www.Sport-patrick.at
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Main Image ©Mirja Geh