Away from the hustle and bustle: winter sports alternatives around Innsbruck

"Schifoan is the leiwandste, wos ma si nur vorstellen kann!" sings the Austro-pop singer Wolfgang Ambros in his legendary winter sports anthem. But, does Mr. Ambros actually know how satisfying it is to do his rounds in the glittering snow on a freshly groomed cross-country ski trail? How much fun it is to shred around the curves on a toboggan and cover several kilometers on the way down to the valley? Or how well you sleep after an extensive winter hike?

Basically, it doesn't matter if he knows. Much more important is whether you know what I'm talking about? Without wanting to step on the ski boots of Mr. Ambros, I dare to say: Winter is generally the leiwandste, wos ma si only imagine! And I would add: it doesn't always have to be two boards under your feet. Even if skiing is great, of course, there are so many ways to enjoy winter to the fullest.

Important: The opening hours of alpine pastures, huts, stores, ice skating rinks and Co may vary due to the Corona pandemic. Please inform yourself before each venture!

I already revealed my five favorite toboggan runs here on the blog a few years ago. However, it is like skiing also in the tobogganing: It depends a lot on the snow conditions! And after all, they change every day.

Close to the city and without dangerous curves: the Rumer Alm toboggan run. The only drawback: for this toboggan run there must first be enough snow on the south side and there must be no avalanche danger in the areas above on the Nordkette. Then it is an easily accessible destination for beginners. Toboggans are available for free rental after consumption and availability at the Alm. The journey from Innsbruck city can be easily done by public transport: line A goes to "Rum Sanatorium" - 10 minutes later you are at the parking lot Naturpark Karwendel.

500 meters altitude | approx. 70 minutes walking time | 3.9 kilometers | Facebook page Rumer Alm

The Rinner Alm toboggan run is located on the opposite side of the valley. Here, a separate ascent of around 430 meters in altitude takes you directly to the hut and from there down into the valley. If you realize on the way that going uphill is not your sport after all, you can shorten the tour in a bend a little further down. Attention The fun of going uphill only becomes noticeable when going downhill. Also practical: you can get to Rinn by Regiobus 4134 from Innsbruck main station in half an hour.
43o vertical meters | approx. 70 minutes walking time | 3.7 kilometers | Facebook page Rinner Alm

Juifenau in the Sellrain: one of the most beautiful and longest downhill runs around Innsbruck. Longest downhill run? Yes, that also means longest ascent. Believe me: every meter is worth it and the view from the hut, which lies just above the timberline, is magnificent. The Juifenau hut was even awarded by Gault Millau in 2020.
600 meters altitude difference | approx. 1.5-2 hours walking time | 4.5 kilometers | Website Juifenalm

Tip: Here you can find a current overview of all currently open toboggan runs around Innsbruck.

You prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground? Then a snowshoe hike might be just the thing for you! Depending on the route, this can be quite a leg up, but it's always controlled and you don't need any talent for it. Two healthy feet, warm onion-look clothing, a pair of snowshoes and poles - off you go! Of course, you can't just hike everywhere in the mountains because of the potential avalanche danger, but there are some marked routes that are suitable for this.

In Gries im Sellrain there is a short, easy snowshoe hike for those who want to try it out and get a feel for the snow. Click here for the route description! Rental equipment is available directly on site at Sport Seppl in Gries.

Shortly after Ellbögen, the trail climbs up into the Viggartal valley, where the Meissnerhaus is located. When there is a lot of snow, it is wonderful to trudge through the snow-covered landscape. You can read all about it in my article on snowshoe hiking in the Viggartal.

Danijel recommends a snowshoe hike over the Feldringer Böden at the Faltegartenköpfel in Kühtai.

My insider tip: A very special experience is a snowshoe hike with an overnight stay at the friendly Boscheben Alm!

You prefer your sports units to be compact and intensive? Then cross-country skiing is exactly the right thing for you. Admittedly, the right technique is worth a lot here and if you take a cross-country instructor for your first attempts, you won't regret it. Once you've got the hang of it, there's nothing standing in the way of a powder workout in the snow!

The cross-country skiing trail in Rinn is divided into two trails: the Panorama Trail and the shorter Golf Trail. Both are suitable for classic cross-country skiing as well as for skating. In total there are 22 kilometers. The use of these trails is free of charge! Rental equipment (boots, skis, poles) is available in Innsbruck, for example, at the stock exchange or in Tulfes at the Ski School Total or Ski School Glungezer. In Rinn itself there is no rental.

You know the Kühtai in winter only for skiing? Then try cross-country skiing! At around 2,000 meters there is snow for a particularly long time and the use of the two cross-country trails in Kühtai is free of charge. The Claudialoipe is classically groomed and 2 km long, the Maximilianloipe is also classically groomed and 2.6 km long.

The Praxmar-Lüsens trail is probably one of the most beautiful in the world. Step by step, you walk towards the end of the valley at Fernerboden and you quickly get the feeling that you have landed somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Canada. At the latest when the ice climbers come towards you with a grin on their face, you know: there are other winter sports enthusiasts here who enjoy the seclusion.

watch "Spinning out" on Netflix or rather lace up the skates yourself? For all of you who haven't had a pair of blades on your feet in years (or even decades), I have good news: skating is a bit like riding a bike, and you won't forget it in a hurry! For wobbly beginners, there are now penguins almost everywhere, on which you can support yourself (and your children).

The ice rink at Römerpark in Rum may be small, but the view is all the better for it. Especially when the setting sun briefly illuminates the Nordkette before it disappears behind the mountains. Admission prices are moderate, shoes can be borrowed on site, (children's) disco music and penguins for beginners are free!

You can't skate on the quarry pond itself, but right next door on the artificial ice rink, daily from 10:00 to 19:00!

At the outdoor ice ring of the Olympiaworld you can do your rounds for hours. Ideal for those who can't get enough of smooth ice. Click here for the latest info!

Warm shoes, long ski underwear and a thermos of tea in your luggage? Then you're ready to go. Enjoy the winter landscape step by step, soak up the sun or watch the snowflakes fall - winter hiking is surprisingly relaxing. It's best to just give it a try!

In Innsbruck along the green Inn. Until you don't like it anymore, then simply cross the next bridge and return to the starting point. Recommendation for a refreshment in between: Cake and coffee (also to go) at Haepinest.

Maria Locherboden near Stams - on sunny days with little snow (not passable when there is a lot of snow in the Inn Valley!) the hike from Stams to the Maria Locherboden pilgrimage church is a true winter dream. Danijel has described the round in summer.

From Praxmar you hike in about 1-1.5 hours to the Kogelhütte. A beautiful hike, which can be combined with a toboggan ride. Those who go all the way back down on foot, have really earned the Kiachl in the Alpengasthof Praxmar.

The "Go Innsbruck" game is a great, free city game for days when you take a break from winter sports. You can read more about it here in Elisabeth's blog post about the scavenger hunt under the sign of the Habsburgs. I myself tested the other route "Authentic Innsbruck" a few days ago, more about it here on the blog soon!

As always in the mountains, you should take a look at the weather forecast and the current snow conditions before your venture. The respective tourism information will gladly provide information about the current trail, cross-country skiing and ice conditions.