The Innsbruck region is a ski destination with much more to offer than just fun on the slopes and après-ski. Why not visit a ski area without packing your skis for once and simply enjoy the views instead? All you have to do is decide which way to go, the choice is huge: from Patscherkofel, Hafelekar and Seegrube to Axamer Lizum, Rangger Köpfl and the Stubai Glacier, all of these destinations have state-of-the-art lift facilities and incredibly beautiful mountain scenery.
Patscherkofel
Just a few kilometres south of Innsbruck lies Patscherkofel mountain with its rounded peak and distinctive radio mast at the summit. Legendary Olympic competitions were held here a few decades ago and still provide a constant reminder of this passion for alpine heights. When taking a trip up Patscherkofel, you can enjoy a comfortable panoramic gondola ride followed by a bite to eat at the "Das Kofel" restaurant high up at the mountain lift station. Alternatively, you can make your way a few metres across the snow from the mountain lift station to the Schutzhaus and enjoy good home-cooked food and home-made cakes in their cosy dining areas.
Opening times:
8 December 2023 to 1 April 2024; daily from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm
Hausberg ticket (return journey): € 29 per person
Hafelekar / Seegrube
The Nordkette mountain range in Innsbruck is living proof of the characteristic alpine-urban lifestyle enjoyed by Innsbruck locals: you can travel from the city centre up to Hafelekar at the "Top of Innsbruck" at an altitude of over 2,300 metres above sea level in just 30 minutes in the charming carriages of the Hungerburgbahn funicular and the spacious Nordkettenbahn cable cars. Along the way, you can stop at the Alpine Zoo, Europe's highest zoo, before continuing to the architectural masterpiece that is the Hungerburg lift station. If you would like to combine your Nordkette trip with good food and drink, you can stop in at Hitt und Söhne at the Hungerburg station, at Restaurant Seegrube or at the high-altitude Karstube. At Seegrube, free sun loungers and the Cloud 9 igloo bar also invite visitors to relax and enjoy.
Opening times:
24 November 2023 to 21 April 2024; daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Top of Innsbruck (return journey): € 44 per person
Axamer Lizum / Hoadl
Thanks to its favourable location, Axamer Lizum tends to get a lot of snow. The Winter Olympics took advantage of this many years ago when Lizum was one of the legendary Olympic venues. The Hoadl Haus mountain restaurant and umbrella bar at the summit – just a few steps from the mountain lift station – impresses visitors with its fantastic food and architectural design. You can enjoy your cappuccino there on the largest covered sun terrace in Austria at an altitude of 2,340 metres above sea level. The ride up the mountain, either on the chairlift or the funicular, is a highlight in itself and the free sun loungers at the summit perfect the panoramic views.
Opening times:
25 November 2023 to 14 April 2024; daily from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm
Return journey:€ 24 per person
Rangger Köpfl
Bergbahnen Oberperfuss, also known as Rangger Köpfl, is a resort with very special charm. Comfort is a top priority in every way. You can get there on the Peter-Anich gondolas and excellent restaurants await at the top. Below the mountain lift station is the panoramic Stiglreith restaurant where you can enjoy life to the full with stunning views, a large sun terrace and sun loungers. The resort is also home to Restaurant Sulzstich and the rustic Rosskogelhütte mountain hut, where you can treat yourself to Tyrolean delicacies, a sunny terrace and inviting sun loungers.
Opening times:
15 December 2023 to 18 March 2024; daily from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Return journey: € 18,50 per person
Stubai Glacier
The Stubai Glacier is proudly known as "Austria's largest glacier ski area" and offers breathtaking views overlooking no less than 109 three-thousand-metre-high peaks. The modern gondolas whisk you up the mountain in comfort to the TOP OF TYROL summit viewing platform at an altitude of 3,210 metres above sea level and offer particularly snowy views. And the location isn't the only thing that reaches the highest level, the glacier also offers the peak of culinary variety: How about a stop at the Jochdohle – Austria's highest mountain restaurant at an altitude of 3,150 metres above sea level? Or why not treat yourself to the delicious dishes at the Eisgrat, Schaufelspitz and Zum Steinbock restaurants? There are also excellent restaurants and bars at the Gamsgarten mountain lift station, which can also be easily reached by cable car.
Opening times:
From 16 october 2023; daily from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm
Return journey:€ 35,50 per person
Glungezer
At Glungezer, visitors can take a 10-seater gondola from the bottom lift station in Tulfes up to an altitude of 1,565 metres above sea level in just 6.5 minutes. This is the mid-station and offers unforgettable panoramic views of the Inn Valley. The gondola ride is an impressive experience in itself, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains through the large panoramic windows of the spacious cabins. Culinary highlights can be enjoyed at the Halsmarter restaurant at the middle lift station and the Larchnhittl below the bottom lift station, both of which also serve their delicious dishes on wonderful sun terraces.
Opening times:
8 December 2023 to 7 April 2024
daily from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm
Return journey (Tulfes-Halsmarter & back): € 17 per person
Return journey (Tulfes-Tulfein & back): € 25.50 per person
