Innsbruck, captital of the province of Tirol
is one of that region's, nay
one of the whole country's, top tourist draws. The
same Innsbruck is also one of Europe's best ski
attractions,but, the skiing in Innsbruck is not
really in Innsbruck The
skiing sold under the Innsbruck label is really
the skiing immediately above and around the city.
The villages of Igls, Tulfes, Mutters and
Aximer Lizum are connected to
the city by a free and frequent ski bus. The ski
pass which covers the bus ride also entitles the
holder to slide on the more than 100km. of groomed
slopes and trails in the above villages. There are,
as well, more than 150 prepared cross country
trails for those who like to do a bit of gliding
and kicking. So Innsbruck then is the perfect base
to do some of the best skiing in the Tirol. Naturally you also
have the option of staying directly in any one of
the village listed here. If, for example, you
choose to stay in Igls, just minutes above the
city by car,you
would find the perfect mountain setting. The town
has a small commercial area of it's own, ample hotels, restaurants and
the like, and it's own very definite
personality.
The skiing directly
above it is simply a short walk from the village
centre, and scenic cable car ride from there. It
is a tremendous area for good recreational
skiers with beginner's slopes both at the start
of the cable car and small areas right on the
mountain. This area, the Patscherkofel, is
skiable to 2,250m, and was the site of the
downhill race during the Olympic games.The other villages just a little further away from
the hub of Innsbruck, also have extensive skiing
within their borders and are also ideal spots to
enjoy your winter vacation.
The beauty of actually staying in Innsbruck
however is your ease of transport to the slopes of
all four centres. Innsbruck is also truthfully
able to boast guaranteed snow. It is, in fact, just about thirty minutes
by road to the year round skiing on the Stubai
glacier, and not all that much farther to the
Hintertux glacier which also has skiing
three hundred and
sixty five days a year.
