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Innsbruck region launches new Ski Plus City Pass

snow action team 25.08.2020

The Innsbruck region is hands down one of Austria and Europe’s top ski destinations.

Boasting 13 superb ski resorts, delightful mountain villages and an historic city, it already offers unmatched variety for the perfect winter holiday.

Their World first SKI Plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck that makes enjoying all this amazing region offers even easier and better value than ever.

The new pass includes skiing, attractions, experiences and transport.

Skiing with the 'Powder Department' Stubai Innsbruck
Check in with the ‘Powder Department’ at Stubai © Schönherr

Unlimited skiing across 13 areas up to 3,170m

Innsbruck is renowned for some of Europe’s best powder skiing over a long and reliable season.

So much choice! This all included with the SKI Plus CITY Pass – and the transport links to enjoy it all.

A huge choice awaits in the Innsbruck Region © Innsbruck Tourismus

The Stubai Glacier is Austria’s largest glacier ski resort, offering a snow guarantee from October to June. A network of 26 lifts, including the spectacular 3S Eisgratbahn, reach up to 3,210m – the ‘Top of Tyrol’. They access 35 runs to suite all levels, over 110km of pistes, plus amazing freeride opportunities up to 10km long.

The ‘Powder Department’ areas are uncontrolled alpine terrain, only for those suitably equipped and skilled, who can monitor conditions. Discover it with local expert Mountain and Ski guides.

Park fans love the DC Stubai Zoo, which brings out some of the World’s best every spring.

Families can enjoy sunny bowl slopes, ideal beginner facilities and fun activities like the Ice Grotto.

All this is only 45 minutes from Innsbruck!

The amazing Anna Gasser at Stubai Zoo © Pally Learmond

Want closer? Nordkette rises right above the city, easily accessed via the Hungerburg funicular conveniently located just a few steps from the historic old town. This takes you to the Hungerburg Valley Station in 8 minutes, a modern masterpiece designed by internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid.

The Seegrubenbahn continues up to the heart of the Nordkette skiing resort and the Sun Terrace at 1,905m. Cloud 9 Iglu Bar and spectacular Nordkette Skyline Park, billed as the only in-city snow park in the World, combine for the perfect party vibe.

Finally the Hafelekar cable car continues to the “Top of Innsbruck” peak at 2,334m for 360° views over the city and surrounding peaks. Nordkette is known as the ‘The Jewel of the Alps’, which is self-evidently true when you get up here. The Nordkette is part of Austria’s largest nature park, the Karwendel Nature Park. 

The skiing is not huge, with just 6 pistes ranging from easy to difficult. But the Freeride options step things up a notch. The Hafelekar Run run off the summit is renowned as one the steepest ski routes in Europe, with a 70° gradient in places. Not for the faint hearted.

Kids love learning to ski at Kühtai, Innsbruck
Kühtai is a great place to start your kids skiing © Innsbruck Tourismus / Daniel Zangerl

Kühtai offers an alpine village at over 2000m, the highest in Austria, surrounded by pistes rising even higher, guaranteeing snow right up until spring. Ski in/ski out accommodation, ideal family slopes, and a reputation as one of the sunniest ski resorts in Tyrol are further pluses. All just 40 minutes from Innsbruck.

Hochoetz is linked to Kühtai, for a total of 85km of pistes with 50km of those mid-level ideal for cruising skiers.

Patscherkofel is a local favourite. This distinctive rounded hill just 6.5km from Innsbruck is famous for hosting the bobsleigh during the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics.

Axamer Lizum is another former Winter Olympic venue 19km outside Innsbruck. The village sits at 1580m, with 40km of cruising pistes rising above to 2340m. Lots of north facing slopes and 300ha of fabulous freeride terrain have made it a powder mecca. Events and camps are common, plenty of guides are available to help you discover the best of it.

Six seat express with spectacular views at Schlick 2000 © Andre Schönherr

Schlick 2000 is on the other side of the Kalkkogel range from Axamer, about 30 minutes by car from Innsbruck. A good mix of mostly easy to intermediate pistes and mellower freeride opportunities with good natural snow make it another family favourite.

Glungezer is a classic local ski area close to Innsbruck. Just a few lifts, nothing flash, no crowds, friendly skiing, ideal for a quiet change.

Oberperfuss/Rangger Köpfl is a family-friendly ski area with fairytale-like views just 12km from Innsbruck. It’s especially ideal for children. A 10km toboggan run includes 8km floodlit for night sledging.

Night toboggan run © Andre Schönherr

For more family fun, especially with younger children, there are also plenty of smaller slopes and children’s areas in the Innsbruck region, including Kinderland Rinn, the Kinderland Grünberg lift and the Sonnberg lift in Gries.

Night skiing in Innsbruck is popular, with floodlit slopes at Kühtai (Wednesday & Saturday), Gries (Saturday), Patscherkofel (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), Ranger-Kopfl and Rinn (Friday).

Suffice to say from a toddler’s first playtime in the snow to expert 70° freeride descents, Innsbruck covers the full spectrum of snow fun in style.

Viewing the Imperial Palace at Innsbruck
Get some ideas for your next reno project at the Imperial Palace .. © Innsbruck Tourismus / Christof Lackner

22 included city adventures and experiences

Lifestyle, culture, sightseeing. There are 22 city adventures covering these and more available on the SKI plus CITY pass. A city tour is included, which is a good start and introduction to what else you might want to top your personal must-see must-do lists.

Step back in time at the 520 year old Imperial Palace, restored to reflect the golden age of the Hapsburg dynasty that ruled much of central Europe for centuries.

Take the kids to Europe’s highest zoo, the Alpine Zoo. Easily accessed as a stop on the Hungerburg Funicular it offers a unique collection of over 2,000 animals from 150 species indigenous to the Alps. There’s an aquarium, terrariums, a farm with endangered domestic breeds, walk-in enclosures, Europe’s largest golden eagle aviary, bears, wolves, and otters.

The selection of fascinating museums and attractions cover everything from folk art to bell making, and the Olympic ski jump to Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

Don’t miss the The City Tower, completed in 1450 on the side of the old town hall. The views over the old town, the Inn Valley and the mountains behind are well worth the 131 steps climb up to the viewing platform.

Few other ski destinations can match Innsbruck for historic character. With the skiing so close you can choose to take it in after skiing and in the evenings, or take time out to relax and enjoy the city in depth. For couples or groups where some are keener than others on skiing every day/all day it’s the ideal winter holiday destination.

For full details on the included attractions check here

Family tour inside the Stubai Glacier, Innsbruck
Not something you do with the kids every day! © Stubaier Gletscher/Andre Schönherr

Free transport to resorts and attractions

The ski bus system in the Innsbruck region and Stubaital Valley is characterised by its extremely high frequency. Free of charge and with a view to reducing the CO2 balance of your skiing holiday, the various lines take you to the skiing resorts in comfort.

The free ski bus is your free shuttle service to the ski resorts. Next to Innsbruck itself it also serves all of the towns and villages in the Innsbruck region, which means you can enjoy village charm combined with the benefits of a great bus link. Simply go to one of the specified bus stops with your ski equipment and Welcome Card – the bus service is free of charge. You can treat yourself to a drink or two in the ski resorts before enjoying the relaxing bus ride home. 

The Sightseer Bus in Innsbruck takes you to the most important sights that visitors can explore the Hop-On-Hop-Off way. All that  completely free thanks to the new SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck.

For more detail on the ski bus options check here.

Everything is close in and around Innsbruck © Innsbruck Tourismus / Christof Lackner

But wait, there’s more!

Yes, beyond skiing 13 resorts, 22 attractions and free transport to all of them you get some extra bonuses too like free access to three indoor pool complexes in Neustift, Fulpmes and Axams.

The pass is available from 2 to 21 days and e.g. a 5-day pass is just € 237 for adults.

Packages including hotel nights are on offer as well – check all the options on the link.

More on the SKI Plus CITY Pass on the link.

Austrian Tourism info (including latest updates on COVID-19 restrictions etc) here