City & Ski: Innsbruck & Schlick 2000
7th December 2022 | James Cove, Schlick 2000, Austria.
Last modified on December 9th, 2022
PlanetSKI’s City & Ski trip in the Tirol draws to a close. It seems we may have saved the best till last. Opening Day at Schlick 2000.
It was a busy car park for the Opening Day at Schlick 2000 with an expectant buzz as people put their boots on and pulled ski gear out of their cars.
The resort is just a 20-miute drive from the centre of Innsbruck, so many had turned out to make their first turns of the season.
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
Others tumbled out of the free buses from Innsbruck.
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
The Opening Day at any ski resort is always rather special as people are back on their skis and snowboards after a long time away, and many months of skiing lie ahead.
The views heading up were special as the cloud of the last few days had lifted.
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
Up on the slopes I was one of the many.
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
You have probably never heard of Schlick 2000, let alone skied there.
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
The statistics do not do the area of Schlick 2000 justice – 22kms of slopes and 19 runs.
What the stats don’t mention is the enormous variety of terrain and the fabulous atmosphere.
As the slopes are limited in size you don’t need to spend the time charging round the ski area, rather take it in a more relaxed way and just enjoy the moment.
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
Did I mention the views?
Schlick 2000, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
I only had a couple of hours but it was a fabulous couple of hours and there was time for the obligatory snow report for the PlanetSKI social media channels and our snow report page:
Schlick is the perfect resort for half a day’s skiing and then the other half can be spent in Innsbruck – shopping, sightseeing or just chilling out.
There is plenty to do in Innsbruck and the City+Ski pass allows you access to its attractions:
- The Hofburg Imperial Palace,
- Ambras Castle,
- Bergisel ski jump,
- The Swarovski Crystal Worlds
- The Alpenzoo
And so my opening visit to the Tirol drew to an end.
Time prevented me from skiing in one of the other nearby resorts I usually visit, Axamer Lizum.
I saw it moments after my plane departed from Innsbruck.
It is the other side of Schlick 2000 and again only about 20-minutes from the Innsbruck city centre.
As the flight headed over the Austrian Alps, the views got better and better.
Austrian Alps. Image © PlanetSKI
I vowed to return to Innsbruck again this season.
Unheralded, an idea popped into my head – come back and live in Innsbruck for a month or so this winter.
Now there’s a thought…
Earlier Articles from this trip to the Tirol:
Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI
And if you are tempted for a City + Ski trip Innsbruck Tourism has drawn up a suggested 5-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive fully relaxed amidst the wintry mountain scenery
Once you have arrived in Innsbruck – ideally stress-free, by train – and checked into your accommodation, you can head straight to the vibrant centre of Innsbruck’s old town.
There you can discover the picturesque historic buildings, all surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery.
After an obligatory selfie in front of the Golden Roof, go up to the City Tower for an initial overview of the capital of the Alps.
The Hop on-Hop off Bus Sightseer (included in the SKI plus CITY Pass) will then take you to the Bergisel ski jump.
The Bergisel SKY restaurant, located in the ski jump tower itself, offers spectacular views while you enjoy coffee and cake and, with a bit of luck, the chance to watch the ski jumpers practising.
Back in the city, a traditional local delicacy for dinner is a must, so we recommend one of the old-established inns.
And, because your first day is all about views and panoramas, head to one of Innsbruck’s rooftop bars for a nightcap.
Our tips: 360 Grad on top of the Rathausgalerien, aDLERS Bar on the roof of the eponymous hotel, or the 5th floor bar at the The PENZ Hotel.
Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria – image © PlanetSKI
Day 2: A gentle introduction to skiing fun
After a hearty breakfast, you are all set for a first day on the slopes.
The ski bus – included in the SKI plus CITY Pass – takes you from Innsbruck up to the Axamer Lizum ski area, some 19 km away, where 10 cable cars and lifts and around 40 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes await you.
In keeping with the motto “après-ski, then ski”, let your body regenerate after skiing in the indoor pool in Axams, where the water is heated to 30°C, then return, thoroughly refreshed, to the city centre for dinner.
There is plenty for night owls to enjoy: plunge into the city’s nightlife, try your luck in the casino, or go to a special performance at the Tyrolean State Theatre – just as the mood takes you.
Axamer Lizum. Image © PlanetSKI
Day 3: All the way up to Kühtai, Austria’s highest ski resort
On the third day of your holiday in the Innsbruck region, skiing fun awaits you – snow guaranteed – at the Kühtai Ski Resort, located 2,020 metres above sea level.
There are slopes for all levels of skill: families love the wide slopes; freeskiers and snowboarders have a home base in the KPARK Kühtai with the FreeStyle-Area & SnowCross; while action is guaranteed at the KidsPark for children and fun park newcomers.
After a great day’s skiing in Kühtai, the free ski bus will take you back to Innsbruck for dinner.
And, because you should take a good walk after eating, go for an evening stroll in the centrally located Imperial Gardens, where a must-see awaits: the magical LUMAGICA Innsbruck Light Park.
The wintry natural backdrop of the gardens is the setting for a journey through all five continents provided by the colourful, interactive light shows.
Admission is included in the SKI plus CITY Pass.
Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI
Day 4: Give your legs a rest as you explore the Innsbruck region
The penultimate day of your holiday is a chance to explore the Innsbruck region – totally relaxed, free from skis or snowboard, because today is all about sports-free lifestyle activities.
The first item on the agenda proves that this does not mean spending the day down in the valley in Innsbruck: take the Nordkettenbahnen funicular and cable cars up to the Hafelekar, from where it’s a 15-minute walk to the highest point of the Nordkette range at 2,334m.
The summit affords a unique 360-degree view of the city and the mountains.
After the breathtaking experience of the “Top of Innsbruck”, complete with a cappuccino on the restaurant’s sun terrace at the top station, take the cable car back back down.
Get off in the immediate vicinity of your next destination: the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo, with the world’s largest collection of fauna from the Alpine region – 2,000 animals, representing 150 species.
After spending time among the ibex, elk and bears, in the afternoon the shuttle bus will take you to the world-famous, enchanting Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
A snow-covered green giant awaits you, a glittering waterfall gushing from his mouth, while his head contains underground Chambers of Wonder.
Before the shuttle bus takes you back to Innsbruck for a relaxing end to the day, don’t miss the wonderful gardens of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds with their contemporary art, ancient history and unique joys.
Nordkette, Innsbruck, Austria. Image c/o PlanetSKI.
Day 5: On your glacier, get set, go!
Day five of your holiday features skiing or snowboarding on the Stubai Glacier.
The free ski bus will take you up to the 110 kilometres of pistes on Austria’s largest glacier ski area.
Whether you are a beginner, an advanced or an expert skier, winter sports fans are all equally enthusiastic about the Stubai Glacier.
An absolute highlight for the super-fit is the 10-kilometre run from the Wildspitz mountain station at 3,210 metres down to the valley station at 1,750m..
Finally, for lunch on your last day, a typical Tyrolean speciality is a must – and the glacier ski area offers a variety of options.
Afterwards, use the afternoon to the full – whether on the slopes or lounging in a deckchair at the side of the piste.
After soaking up the last rays of the sun, take the shuttle bus back to Innsbruck, where you can relax as your holiday comes to an end, before starting on your journey home.
Stubai, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
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