Austria’s famous Tirol region is home to many world-famous resorts as well as dozens of hidden gems waiting to be explored by skiers and snowboarders. They will be welcomed back in a season full of winter love
With perfect timing in preparation for the coming season, snow has begun falling on Tirol’s higher slopes where several glacier areas are already open and in full swing.
The ski villages of Tirol are looking forward to demonstrating their world-famous hospitality and warmly welcoming back skiers and snowboarders this winter. After we couldn’t get to the slopes last season, it’s no surprise that we have a strong urge to get back to the mountains, staying in an authentic Alpine village, eating wonderful food and getting there quickly and easily through the stress-free Innsbruck airport
Why Wait?
Tirol’s ski areas have already begun opening for the 21-22 season and you can go skiing or snowboarding right now! Tirol has more glacier ski areas than any other region or country and remarkably in September had as many ski areas open as the rest of Europe combined! Choose between the Stubai, close to Innsbruck; Sölden, famous for hosting the first World Cup events of the season each October; Pitztal, with Austria’s highest slopes; Kaunertal, with the country’s steepest slope Black Ibex (87.85%); or year-round Hintertux.
PHOTO: TVB Paznaun/Ischgl
Where To Go?
The Paznaun-Ischgl area has a reputation for being snow sure, and a long ski season running from late November to early May. That’s not its only reputation either, gourmet diners will be blown away by the choice of 10 toque-awarded restaurants. The resort’s green credentials are also very impressive as it uses 100% renewable power. The giant ski pass here covers terrain crossing over the Swiss border.
One of the great success stories of skiing in recent years has been the creation of the Ski Juwel region, one of Tirol’s 10 largest, by linking the ski valleys of the Alpbachtal and Wildschönau valleys, both famous in their own right for their stunning scenery and picturesque villages.
PHOTO: Oetztal Tourismus/Anton Brey
There’s the best of both worlds with a choice of authentic Tirolean villages to stay in and plenty of great ski slopes to choose from wherever you stay.
With the new Bond movie finally with us, it may be time to rewatch the brilliant last 007 outing, Spectre, then see where many of the exciting snow scenes were filmed at Sölden. There’s now a whole interactive visitor centre focused on Bond. The snowsure ski area, already open for 21-22, is spectacular and the pass takes in neighbouring British-favourite, Obergurgl.
PHOTO: Zillertal Tourismus/Tom Klocker
The Zillertal region is one of the most spectacular in Europe and also has one of the greatest diversity of ski areas on one Superski lift pass, covering a remarkable 542km of slopes. Ski villages here include another long-time British favourite Mayrhofen, home to the long-running Snowbombing music and altitude comedy festivals as well as the year-round glacier slopes of Hintertux and charming Zell am Ziller which claims the country’s longest piste at 10km.
The SkiWelt Wilderkaiser Brixental is one of the largest ski regions in Austria with 288km of interconnected slopes above a variety of enticing base villages. This winter it claims the longest circuit tour in Austria at 80km. That’s 50 miles without having to take the same lift twice and you can start and finish from multiple places on the route.
PHOTO: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental/Tim Marcour
The classic little ski town of St. Johann in Tirol close to Kitzbühel is a lovely choice for families and beginners with its pedestrianised centre and excellent nursery slopes in nearby Erpfendorf and Kirchdorf. If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery, great dining options and friendly hospitality it doesn’t get better than this.
Although you may not think of city-breaks when you think of the Tirol, the beautiful Alpine city of Innsbruck combines city and snowsports with its high-value City plus Ski pass which gives access to no less than 13 local ski regions and 22 sights including the Olympic ski jump and the Imperial Palace. Of course, your hotel will be reached minutes after you touch down at the airport too.
Keeping Safe
Safety has always been a high priority in Tirol, be it on the slopes or now, during the pandemic hangover. All the region’s ski areas have developed comprehensive Covid-secure hygiene concepts and flexible cancellation conditions to offer guests the greatest possible safety and peace of mind on their holiday. The Austrian government has announced masks must be worn and evidence of a recent negative test, having had the vaccination or having recovered from a recent Covid infection will be required before anyone can get on a lift or enter a restaurant, to keep everyone happy and safe.
Getting There
As travel recovers more and more flight services are resuming to Tirol, and even some new routes! BA, easyJet and Jet2 have announced routes starting in December from Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Heathrow direct to Innsbruck with very reasonable prices for early bookers. There are, of course, plenty of tour operator package holidays to Tirol available too, just Google your preferred destination.
www.austria.info/winterlove
PHOTO: Nordkette Innsbruck Tourismus/Klaus Polzer
Categories: Austria