Ski Touring Around Innsbruck

19th April 2024

Last modified on April 21st, 2024

It is one of the fastest growing on-snow activities in the Tirol – ski touring. PlanetSKI has been walking uphill a few times during our extended stay in Innsbruck.

Regular readers will know we have been living in Innsbruck on an extended stay these past few weeks – it is the ultimate Ski + City location in the Alps.

13 ski areas around the city with 23 attractions off the slopes, all on one pass: Innsbruck Ski + City Pass

But you don’t need a pass for what has come to be one of our new favourite activities – ski touring.

Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

One of the first resorts around Innsbruck that we went to back at the beginning of March was Oberperfus.

It is a small resort with just three main lifts and 17kms of slopes.

It’s about a 15-minute drive from Innsbruck.

On the lift up I counted 12 people walking uphill, and three skiing down.

Innsbruck Ski + City, Oberperfus. Image © PlanetSKI

They were shunning the lifts.

And enjoying the satisfaction of reaching the top.

First let’s take a look at the equipment.

Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

You need ‘skins’ on the base of the ski so you can glide forwards, and not slide backwards.

The binding releases at the heel while going up and is secured for coming down.

Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

Here’s the ski technician from Intersport in Axamer Lizum explaining the technique to a member of our group before we set off.

We actually went touring that day as all the lifts in the resorts around were shut due to high winds – skinning up was the only way to go skiing.

The trick is to get in a rhythm and breathe within that rhythm.

And try not to slide backwards.

Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

You can go as fast or as slow as you like.

Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck. Image © PlanetSKI

So, why would people walk uphill when there are perfectly good lifts to be had?

Some use touring to access untracked powder and head deep into the backcountry.

This should only be done with a qualified professional or if you have detailed knowledge of avalanche conditions and risk levels.

Safety equipment – transceiver, probe, shovel – should not only be carried, but you should practise using them before heading off piste.

I mainly do it with friends and family for relaxation, fitness and simply as another way to appreciate the mountains.

Axamer Lizum, Innsbruck. Image c/o PlanetSKI

There are a multitude of areas close to Innsbruck and other PlanetSKI readers and reporters have been out in the Tirol:

A day ski touring in the Tirol

Ski touring in the Tirol. Image © Holger Gassler

Father & daughter ski touring in St Anton

Touring in St Anton. Image © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

If you are half interested in giving it a go all I can say is do give it a try.

Axamer Lizum, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

It’s a marmite thing – you’ll either love it or hate it, and there is only one way to find out.

We rented our equipment from Intersport in Axamer Lizum – for half a day it cost just €30.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Ski touring for the very first time

Ski touring for the first time. Image © PlanetSKI

Innsbruck Ski + City, Patscherkofel. Image © PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI’s Ski+City Stay in Innsbruck

Since arriving at the beginning of March we’ve visited Stubai, Kuhtai, Axamer Lizum, Muttereralm, Oberperfuss, Glungezer, Nordkette, Schlick 2000, St Anton and Ischgl.

Read all about it in our blogs:

See here for more details of the Innsbruck Ski+City Pass.

INNSBRUCK SKI+CITY INFO:

On the Ski+City Pass there’s the high-altitude glacier resort of Stubai, the ever-popular resort of Kuhtai + the hidden gems of Axamer Lizum and Schlick 2000.

Then some little-known ones off the beaten track:

Patscherkofel
Glungezer
Bergeralm
Muttereralm
Hochetz
Oberperfuss
Serles
Elfer
Nordkette

13 ski areas with 296 kms of slopes, 50km of ski routes and all served by 111 lifts.

They are all within an hour of the city, some are under half an hour away and one, Nordkette, has its base lift station in the centre of Innsbruck itself.

It’s a 5-minute walk from the front door of the apartment PlanetSKI has rented.

Nordkette is situated at an altitude of 2,000m with some gentle beginner slopes and a super steep descent on the ‘Karinne’ – it’s a 70% gradient and for experts only.

You wouldn’t want to be in some of the resorts for a week-long holiday, but you don’t have to be on the Innsbruck Ski + City Ski Pass – just a day will do, thank you very much.

Then there’s the 23 attractions on the Pass including the Bergisel ski jump, The Imperial Palace, Ambras Castle, the Golden Roof museum, the Alpenzoo, the Swarovski Crystal World in Watten, the Hofkirche and many, many more.