Tirol – Beyond the Slopes

8th February 2024

Last modified on February 11th, 2024

There is much more to the Tirol than just the fabulous skiing. Here we look at some alternative activities, from the well-known ones to a few surprises.

Any holiday to the Tirol is not compete with sampling a few activities, and here are the Tirol’s Julia König and PlanetSKI’s James Cove to fills us in.

“Sure, skiing is a big part of winter here in Tirol. But I also like to try other winter activities away from the pistes with my kids,” says Julia.

“I love doing the alternative activities on offer as they are so enjoyable in themselves and then make returning to the slopes even better,” says James.

Here are a few of their ideas on what to see and do on holiday beyond the ski slopes.

Winter walking and snowshoeing

Guided winter walks are a great way to explore spots in Tirol that you may be familiar with from previous summer holidays and can be accessed only on foot in winter.

Far from the ski pistes and cable cars you will find peace and quiet, fresh mountain air and magnificent views.

Kaunertal, Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

One of my personal favourites says Julia is the walk at Pfundser Tschey.

At just two kilometres in length it is suitable for families with children.

Fancy a few more ideas?

Here are some of the best winter walks in Tirol.

Those keen on a walking experience with a difference can take part in one of the guided llama walks available in many regions, including the Stubai Valley and the Wilder Kaiser Mountains.

Spa & beauty

Holidays are a time to relax, right?

What better way to unwind than with a little pampering at one of the local spas, for example at the Aqua Dome in Längenfeld or the Aigner Bad in East Tirol?

Families, on the other hand, will love the Salzgrotte in St. Jakob im Haus (Pillerseetal Valley), where kids can enjoy trampolines, a bouncy castle and an indoor climbing area while adults relax in the spa.

After a long day out on the trails or pistes, Julia recommends a trip to the sauna – a great way to relax tired muscles.

In fact, if spa and beauty is one of your main priorities on holiday, why not stay at one of the region’s top spa hotels for families?

Hintertux in the summer. Image © PlanetSKI

Hintertux, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

Days out

A few ideas for days out in Tirol.

Try one of the region’s Alpine Coasters, long zipwires found in places like Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and the Alpbachtal Valley.

Ever been inside an ice cave?

If not, try the Natural Ice Palace on the Hintertux Glacier.

James has been.

Hintertux Ice Palace. Image © PlanetSKI

See here for PlanetSKI’s visit last summer, where we went glacier skiing and went inside the glacier:

PlanetSKI goes inside a glacier

Hintertux. Image © PlanetSKI

Popular museums include Ambras Castle near Innsbruck, and the Alpinarium in Galtür.

Animal lovers should check out the Alpine Zoo in Innsbruck, while those keen on splashing around in warm water will find plenty of indoor pools such as the Stubay in Telfes.

Visitors with a head for heights should check out the “highline179” near Reutte, a spectacular hanging footbridge which is also open in winter.

Check out even more tips on things to see, do and explore in the winter months here.

Shopping

Shopping might not normally be a hot favourite with kids, but shopping at one of Tirol’s Christmas markets is a magical experience that will have you coming back for more.

Adults can browse the stands selling hand-crafted objects while the kids enjoy the puppet theatre and magic shows.

Innsbruck Xmas markets. Image © PlanetSKI

But shopping in Innsbruck is not just about the famous Xmas Markets and it is popular at other times too.

You may even want to add a Tirolean feel to your wardrobe.

Shopping in Innbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

Or pick up a ski souvenir.

Shopping in Innbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

Shopping is a popular past-time in St Johann, and other Tirolean towns.

St Johann, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

Snowsports events

During the winter months, Tirol hosts many top-level sporting events:

The traditional New Year’s ski jumping event in Innsbruck
The FIS World Cup women’s ski races in St. Anton and Lienz
The Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn
The Hahnenkamm downhill race in Kitzbühel

Kitzbuhel. Image © PlanetSKI

We have posted about them in an earlier PlanetSKI article this winter:

Top sporting events in the Tirol this winter

FWT in Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

Ice skating & traditional curling

Ice skating is great fun for all the family.

Tirol’s frozen lakes offer a unique setting in winter where skaters of all ages can swoop, carve and pirouette at the foot of mighty mountains over 3,000 metres high.

Another top tip, maybe as an evening activity, is “Eisstockschießen”.

This traditional form of curling which has been practised in the Alps for hundreds of years is a fun and entertaining sport easy to learn for all ages.

The outdoor rink in Ischgl and the facility in Landeck are just two of many places in Tirol where you can try it.

Other types of Skiing

How about turning you hand to Nordic skiing or ski touring?

If you do it for the first time, you’ll wonder why you never did it before,

Expect a few tumbles to begin with.

Nordic skiing at Leutasch, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

But you’ll soon be an expert.

Nordic skiing at Leutasch, Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

And then there’s ski touring too:

A day ski touring in the Tirol

Ski touring in the Tirol. Image © Holger Gassler

Carriage rides & horseriding

Horse-drawn carriage rides are a magical experience and, depending on who joins you, either romantic (with the one you love), entertaining (with friends) or simply fascinating (with children).

Julia recommends taking a ride up to the Sennhütte Falzthurn in Pertisau near Lake Achensee

Equestrian enthusiasts can enjoy riding lessons in the Paznaun Valley.

Or how about a ride on a sled pulled by huskies?

Animal-watching

The mountainous landscape of the Hohe Tauern National Park is ideal for observing alpine animals in their natural habitat.

The national park rangers offer guided walks into the mountains where visitors can feed the animals or simply observe them from a distance using powerful binoculars.

Kaunertal, Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

If you want to see all kinds of wild animals in one place, head to the Alpine Zoo in Innsbruck – a firm favourite with children of all ages.

Tobogganing

Morning, afternoon or evening – tobogganing is a sport that is great fun for all the family whatever the time of day.

Here are our top tips for the best family-friendly toboggan runs in Tirol.

Many regions in Tirol offer weekly activity programmes in winter.

Speak to a member of staff at the local tourist information office.

In Wildschönau and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, for example, you can learn how to build an igloo.

In the Pitztal Valley you can take a ride on one of the powerful Pistenbullyfahrt that prepare the ski slopes at night while we are asleep.

SkiWelt, Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

Or perhaps visit Ischgl when one of its famous concerts is on.

PlanetSKI was in the resort as the season kicked off this winter:

An Australian in Austria

As you can see, there is so much more to Tirol than just skiing.

PlanetSKI will be in the Tirol next month for a 4-week stay in Innsbruck.

We will of course be hitting the slopes, but we are also going to focus on the other activities on offer.

We’ll be taking out a Ski + City Pass that gives us access to 13 resorts in the surrounding area.

From the glacier resort of Stubai, to the popular resort of Kuhtai, and the hidden gems of Schlick 2000, Axamer Lizum and many others.

Plus 23 activities away from the slopes including – Alpine Zoo, Imperial Palace, Swarovski Crystal Works, The Bergisel Ski Jump and the sights of historic Innsbruck.