Sustainable Nordic: Innovations in the Pillerseetal

Updated 23.11.2022

The region in the Kitzbühel Alps reacts to current developments and ensures that winter sports and environmental protection are intertwined.

The Pillerseetal is considered a mecca for cross-country skiers with its top-maintained trails, training facilities and first-class events. The region in the east of the Kitzbühel Alps also plays a pioneering role in terms of sustainability: at the start of the winter season, Austria's first self-sufficient, photovoltaic-powered night cross-country ski trail will be in Hochfilzen. It is just one of many innovations in the five villages of Fieberbrunn, Hochfilzen, St. Jakob in Haus, St. Ulrich am Pillersee and Waidring that combine Nordic sports with environmental protection and energy-saving measures. www.pillerseetal.at

The almost one-kilometre-long, beginner-friendly cross-country ski trail in Hochfilzen will get an energy-saving upgrade starting this winter season: thanks to the new photovoltaic system, it will show night owls the way completely independently of the power grid. "We are very proud to open the first night trail in Austria that is powered purely by photovoltaics," says Katrin Pühringer, responsible for sustainable product development at the Pillerseetal Tourism Association.

Those who come to the region for cross-country skiing during the day can also combine sporting pleasure with environmental protection: Simply pull out your smartphone, purchase your cross-country skiing ticket via QR code and set off on the trail without wasting paper. Another plus: The price for the day ticket will not increase, but will remain at six euros. "The higher energy costs are cushioned by more efficient trail preparation and are not passed on to our guests," says Katrin Pühringer.

Also new: the cross-country ski trail subway in St. Ulrich am Pillersee. It ensures that the route to the Schwendt cross-country stadium is continuously skiable on boards and expands the already excellent cross-country infrastructure of the region. All of the 100 well-maintained kilometres of cross-country ski trails (skating and classic) in the five villages of the Pillerseetal bear the cross-country skiing seal of approval of the province of Tyrol and most of them are recorded with GPS. Practical: Guests can pick up their equipment in the eight rental and service shops and then take the free ski bus from place to place. If you like, you can stay overnight in designated cross-country skiing accommodation, which offers everything from a drying room to daily recommendations, whatever the athlete's heart desires.

"A very simple way to do something for the environment on holiday is to make the best possible use of regional resources," says Katrin Pühringer, referring to the region's excellent drinking water. Either bring a bottle yourself or buy the Pillerseetal steel bottle in the tourism association shop, fill it up and take it with you on the trail. Another tip: stop by one of the many farm shops with their regional quality products. Sustainability has many facets in the Pillerseetal.

When the train arrives, the personal shuttle to the holiday flat, guesthouse or hotel is already waiting: Those who come to the Pillerseetal enjoy V.I.P. service. The free taxi to and from the accommodation is only one component of the offer with which the destination promotes sustainable holiday concepts. The next day everything is easy anyway: the local buses are closely timed and included for guest card holders, as is the regional rail service between Hochfilzen and Wörgl (Kirchbichl). In the Pillerseetal itself there are three stations to choose from: Fieberbrunn, Pfaffenschwendt and Hochfilzen. And if you still want to travel by car, you can recharge your vehicle in an environmentally friendly way at more than 30 e-charging stations throughout the Pillerseetal.

Info on the region: Five villages and 10,000 inhabitants - that is the Pillerseetal, which stretches along the eastern end of the Kitzbühel Alps. Fieberbrunn, Hochfilzen, St. Jakob in Haus, St. Ulrich am Pillersee and Waidring combine a traditional feel-good atmosphere with a wide range of experiences. A perfect combination for winter holidaymakers, according to the motto: Clear the stage for memories that last.