A flurry of news from the Innsbruck region
Last updated on 24.09.2024
The Innsbruck region in winter not only boasts plenty of fresh snow, both on and off the slopes, but all kinds of new features to discover as well: from extended hotels and certified cafés, to unique events and activities and recently opened mobility connections.
Places to stay, places to eat and drink
The family-run Pension Hitt in Innsbruck this year reopened under the name of the Sweet Cherry Boutique & Guesthouse Tyrol. Beautifully located in the Hungerburg district, a little above Innsbruck and just a few minutes from the valley station of the Nordkettenbahnen cable railways, this family-friendly establishment can offer 20 beds and a gourmet breakfast, making it truly the cherry on the cake for any holiday. And all those familiar with the Bergsporthotel Antonie in Gries im Sellrain will be delighted to hear that the hotel has been extended, with 15 new rooms now available on the third floor. Not only was great importance attached to sustainability during renovation; the heating system was also modernised so as to ensure a sustainable future for this traditional hotel. And, speaking of sustainability, the well-known, popular Café and Hotel Central in the heart of Innsbruck has now been certified with both the Austrian and EU Ecolabels, so you can enjoy a meal and spend the night in this time-honoured four-star hotel with its old-style Viennese coffee-house atmosphere – all with a clear conscience.
Events
The European Women’s Handball Championship is a unique event and a sporting highlight on the Innsbruck region’s packed and varied events calendar. For the first time, 24 teams from all over Europe will be competing against each other, making this tournament the biggest ever. For the 16th edition, the capital of Tyrol will from 28 November to 3 December 2024 host the preliminary round matches, alongside the cities of Basel in Switzerland and Debrecen in Hungary. The main rounds will be held in the Austrian capital, Vienna, and in Debrecen before the weekend of the final, to take place in Vienna’s Stadthalle. Meanwhile, lovers of speed sports should not miss this winter’s World Luge Natural Track Championships. From 17 to 19 January 2025, the world champions in the single-seater, double-seater and team events will for the first time be decided in the winter sports resort of Kühtai. Those wishing to try the sport for themselves can do so either before or after the competitions: the natural toboggan run, completed in 2021, runs 1,300 metres downhill over a course that features 14 hairpin bends.
Activities
The latest improvement shows just how long the Oberperfuss lifts and cable cars have been a popular destination for young and old alike: the 50-year-old T-bar lift was modernised in the summer – and, as from the 2024-25 winter season, a completely new, ultra-modern combined lift awaits winter sports enthusiasts, making it easy for families and beginners to reach the summit. In parallel with the construction of the gondola lift, the existing toboggan run was extended and a panoramic cross-country ski trail created, which will also be open to winter walkers. The Patscherkofel is also a name with a long history: the mountain made a name for itself as the venue for the Alpine skiing competitions in the 1976 Winter Olympics. Today, Innsbruck’s emblematic mountain, located south of the city, is especially popular with leisure skiers and families. However, those wishing to match the achievements of the sporting heroes of yesteryear will also be delighted by this new development as, in addition to the existing facilities, a permanent racing slope for young skiers is being built on Piste 5a.
Mobility
The Innsbruck region is easy to reach from all directions, whether by train, bus or plane. This winter there are several new and reopened services, as well as increased frequency for certain flights. These include the resumption of Frankfurt flights (up to twice daily in the winter season), Vienna flights (up to three times daily), a new service by Austrian Airlines and the Polish airline LOT to Warsaw (each with one rotation a week) and a new Austrian Airlines service to Brussels, meaning a total of three flights a week to the Belgian capital in addition to the current two Transavia flights. Brussels has even more to offer this winter, however: from February 2025, the new European Sleeper overnight train will connect the North Sea to the Mediterranean, with a stopover in the Austrian Alps. Whether for a city break or a winter sports trip, this train offers yet another way to get to Innsbruck – sustainably, easily and comfortably.
Once you arrive in Innsbruck, a well-developed public transport network awaits, both within the city and to and from its surrounding villages. This winter will see more buses running between Innsbruck and the Sellrain Valley and Kühtai, including hourly connections to the Praxmar Valley. If you want to turn the journey into an adventure, take tramline 6, the “Waldbahn” or “forest tram”. This now runs several times a day from the Claudiaplatz, taking passengers from Innsbruck to the local recreation area in the mountain range to the south of the city. There are now information boards at the individual stops, offering advice on routes and activities in the forested area. And, for all travellers wanting to avoid using their cars while out and about, we recommend the NaturTrip web app, now available for the Innsbruck region: tours by bus or train to numerous destinations can be easily planned at naturtrip.innsbruck.info, either directly or with just a few changes.
About Innsbruck Tourismus
Innsbruck Tourismus is the official destination management organisation for the Innsbruck region, encompassing the capital of Tyrol and over 40 localities in the surrounding area, from the Inntal valley to the Mieming Plateau via Kühtai and as far as the Sellraintal valley. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays (as of 2019), the Innsbruck region is one of Austria’s largest tourism institutions – a unique symbiosis of pulsating urban space and fascinating Alpine world. The vibrant city atmosphere and sightseeing highlights are just a stone’s throw from your next biking or hiking tour, your next ski adventure or winter walk. The Welcome Card, free for visitors, is the key to the region’s boundless opportunities: public transport, usable at no cost, means that the area’s numerous highlights can be enjoyed both sustainably and comfortably. Visitor enjoyment is the focus of the thoughts and actions of each of the organisation’s 90 or so staff: they pass on their passion and enthusiasm for this alpine-urban space to guests, ensuring unforgettable holiday experiences for all in harmony with both people and nature. With a total of twelve tourist information offices, Innsbruck Tourismus can stay close to visitors, be right in the action and keep a finger on the pulse of events – a true hub for the authentic stories and personal impressions of local characters that can be found on the popular blog and social media channels at #myinnsbruck.
Further links
Blog: www.innsbruck.info/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Innsbruck
Instagram: www.instagram.com/innsbrucktourism
Twitter: twitter.com/InnsbruckTVB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/InnsbruckTVB
Pinterest: www.pinterest.at/innsbrucktvb/_created
