The quiet side of the Tyrolean winter

Updated 04.10.2022

While guests and locals seek the sporting pleasure of skiing in Tyrol in winter, things are much quieter in many other places. Because far away from the pistes and lifts, winter shows its particularly beautiful side: snow-covered forests, clear winter air and absolute silence invite you to spend quiet and relaxing days in a unique mountain setting.

It doesn't always have to be skiing. If you want to experience the magic of winter, you can immerse yourself in the idyllic winter landscape far away from the ski slopes and lifts. Nature lovers enjoy the crunch of snow under their feet, the clear air on cold days and the glitter of snow crystals in the sun. It is the gentle experiences in nature that make a winter holiday in Tyrol unique. Whether cross-country skiing through snow-covered forests, winter hiking to secluded vantage points or tobogganing with the whole family. 5 tips for particularly rewarding destinations in winter:

Kartitsch in East Tyrol: Austria's 1st winter hiking villageSince2018, the small municipality of Kartitsch in East Tyrol's Gailtal valley has been Austria's first winter hiking village and is also located in one of the most beautiful high valleys in the Alps. With its original mountain farms, the idyllic mountaineering village forms a fairytale setting for a hike on one of the nine certified and continuously cleared winter hiking trails. Thanks to the high starting point, only a few metres of altitude have to be covered on the well-signposted routes to be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic Alps all the way to Italy. The certified winter hiking businesses also offer a special service: they equip guests with backpacks, hiking poles and warming seat pads for an enjoyable day in the snowy winter landscape.www.osttirol.comAlle15 top Tyrolean winter hiking regions can be found at www.tirol.at/winterwandern

Vorderhornbach in the Lech Valley: Winter fun for young and oldAt the entrance to the Hornbach Valley and thus away from the main traffic axis lies the municipality of Vorderhornbach at the foot of the Allgäu Alps. It is part of the Natura 2000 area in the Tyrolean Lech Nature Park, which, dominated by one of the last wild rivers in Europe, invites you to enjoy activities in the snow-covered landscape in winter. A popular tip for families is, for example, the Vorderhornbach loop, which is not only easy for children to do with a walking time of around one hour, but is also suitable for prams. Thanks to the short ascent of one hour, a tobogganing trip to the Wase snack station in Bach is also well suited for families. After a stop to warm up and fortify yourself with regional delicacies, you can return to the valley on the well-prepared toboggan run.www.lechtal.at

Navis in the Wipptal: unforgettable ski touring daysTheWipptal south of Innsbruck offers ideal conditions for unforgettable winter days in Tyrol's mountains. The Wipptal valley with its picturesque side valleys stretches over 70 kilometres up to the Brenner Pass on the Italian border, with the peaks of the Tux, Zillertal and Stubai Alps rising to the side. With its unspoilt side valleys and idyllic villages, the Wipptal is still a real insider tip for a winter holiday. A special highlight is, for example, the Wipptaler Skidurchquerung (Wipp Valley Ski Crossing): the 6-day area traverse leads from the Stubaital to the Brennerbad in South Tyrol and, with daily stages between 800 and 1,200 metres in altitude, is ideally suited for beginners and connoisseurs alike. Fun, on the other hand, is guaranteed at the Genusstriathlon in the rear Navistal. The event takes place every Wednesday as part of the guest programme and consists of three disciplines: snowshoe hiking, tobogganing and tasting of noble brandies and alpine products. www.wipptal.atWeitereInformation on ski tours in Tyrol can be found at www.tirol.at/skitouren

Villgratental in East Tyrol: On the move on snowshoes or touring skisItis one of the most pristine natural and cultural landscapes in the Alpine region: the Villgratental in East Tyrol, which enjoys an excellent reputation as a ski touring and snowshoe hiking area. No wonder, since ski tourers will find a high density of over 40 selected tours in all difficulty classes. Many of the tours, some of which reach an altitude of almost 3,000 metres, start directly in the valley, some even directly at the accommodation. One highlight is the ski tour to the Rote Kinkele. It scores with a climb up the Kamelisenalm with a picturesque chapel and leads to a panoramic summit ridge with a deep view of lonely mountain lakes and a view of the Villgrater mountains and the Dolomites. Snowshoe hikers, on the other hand, embark on the scenic tour to Gumriaul, a border walk between the Villgraten and Puster valleys and thus between Austria and Italy.www.osttirol.comWeitereInformation on snowshoe hiking in Tyrol can be found at www.tirol.at/schneeschuhwandern.

Grän in the Tannheimer Tal: Paradise for cross-country skiersWitha 140-kilometre network of cross-country trails, the Tannheimer Tal is a true paradise for cross-country skiers and also one of Tyrol's quality-certified cross-country specialists. Grän is the highest municipality in the Tannheimer Tal and the starting point for rewarding excursions in the snow. The cross-country ski trail across the frozen Haldensee is particularly beautiful. The 19-kilometre Gaichtpass circular trail leads via Grän to Nesselwängle and scores points not only for the impressive mountain panorama but also for the crossing of the lake as a real highlight. Those who prefer to walk can take the winter hiking trail along the Haldensee - and enjoy the panorama from the lakeside promenade or from the frozen lake. And another tip: The Tannheimer Tal is not only impressive for its winter landscape. The high valley also impresses with numerous top wellness hotels, such as the Hotel der Engel****s in Grän or the Hotel Jungbrunn in Tannheim.www.tannheimertal.comAlle10 top Tyrolean cross-country skiing regions awarded the cross-country skiing seal of approval can be found at www.tirol.at/langlaufen.

Further information on winter in Tyrol and activities off the slopes can be found at www.tirol.at/winterurlaub