Skiing fun and city experiences: Spring awakening in the Innsbruck region

Updated 28.02.2023

The cold season is drawing to a close, and with it the ski season. But you don't have to be sad, at least not in the Innsbruck region: with spring skiing, passionate winter sports enthusiasts still have an absolute highlight to look forward to. The Kühtai, Axamer Lizum and Stubai Glacier ski areas, where you can enjoy the white splendour right into spring, make sure of that. But there is also plenty to do off the slopes in Innsbruck, especially around Easter: numerous exciting attractions and events await guests - with Easter eggs and without.

Blue skies, warmer temperatures and longer days - no doubt, spring is already sending its first harbingers to the Innsbruck region. The end of the season is near, but before that there is a real highlight for all winter sports enthusiasts: spring skiing. This is becoming increasingly popular for good reason, because with the sun in the sky and firn under your skis, skiing is especially fun. Those who want to see for themselves have the opportunity to do so in three ski areas in the immediate vicinity of the Tyrolean capital. Innsbruck also has the perfect "après-ski" programme: cosy pubs invite you to unwind in the spring sun after a fulfilling day on the slopes, while the city's numerous sights are waiting to be explored at length. In addition, various events and activities take place in Innsbruck during the Easter season that should not be missed.

By the way: With the SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck, you can enjoy the greatest possible flexibility during your spring holiday in the Innsbruck region. The pass not only covers the use of 13 ski areas near the Tyrolean capital - including those in Kühtai, Axamer Lizum and on the Stubai Glacier - but also 22 city services and three swimming pools. This makes it possible to combine spring skiing on the mountain and sightseeing in the city in the best possible way, and in any weather - it's not just April that can do what it wants.

The best slopes under the sun: spring skiingWintermay be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean you have to give up groomed turns on the slopes and exciting ski adventures. Around Innsbruck there are three ski resorts - Axamer Lizum, Kühtai and the Stubai Glacier - where cable cars, lifts and, of course, one or two refreshment stops are open until spring. It doesn't matter whether you want to collect kilometres, mainly hone your coolest tricks or simply spend a few swinging hours in the snow: There is certainly something for everyone in the three ski areas. Axamer Lizum, for example, is perfect for freeriders, freestylers and the young and wild, while Kühtai stands out not only for its diverse range of slopes, but also for its uncomplicated ski-in ski-out. And at the Stubai Glacier, Austria's largest glacier skiing area, you are spoilt for choice anyway - after all, it is not called the "Kingdom of Snow" for nothing. So get into your ski gear, hit the slopes and enjoy the unique combination of snow and sun that only spring can offer.

Tip: In addition to sunny skiing, the Axamer Lizum offers another literal highlight in spring. On 14 April 2023, the US pianist Katie Mahan will give her "Piano concert with a view" in the Hoadl House at 2,340 metres above sea level. In this unique setting, with the breathtaking mountain peaks of the Kalkkögel in the background, works by Beethoven, Gershwin and Mozart, among others, will be heard.

Dolce Vita in the city: sightseeing and lifestyleForthose who enjoy art, culture and culinary delights, a trip to Innsbruck's city centre is highly recommended. How about a leisurely stroll through the historic old town, including a detour to one of Innsbruck's most famous landmarks, the Golden Roof? The sight of the fire-gilded copper shingles gleaming in the spring sun is always a new experience. With the Hofburg and the Hofkirche with their imposing bronze figures, there are also two more traces of Emperor Maximilian I in the immediate vicinity, which are more than worth exploring, and not just for amateur historians. Those who are looking for culinary rather than cultural highlights will also find what they are looking for in Innsbruck: Not only the city centre is home to numerous cafés, pastry shops, restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a deliciously aromatic coffee, fine cuisine or a glass of good wine. For the latter, the city's rooftop bars, such as those of the Hotel aDLERS, the 360° or the Motel One, are particularly recommended: with the city at your feet and the mountains illuminated by the setting spring sun in your view, the day ends even more beautifully.

Music, markets and more: all around EasterTravellingto Innsbruck during Lent, you get to see a lot more in addition to the experiences on the mountain and in the city, ranging from customs to culture to arts and crafts. In many churches in the region, for example, so-called Easter tombs and Lenten cots are on display, in which the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus are depicted, sometimes very elaborately and with great attention to detail. An impressive example of this is the 18th century Lenten cot in the pilgrimage church of Götzens with its 250 painted paper figures. The Easter Festival promises productions of a somewhat different kind, which will once again captivate visitors with a colourful potpourri of exciting performances and presentations. Old and new music, dance, performance, film and art are on the varied programme of the multi-genre festival, which will take place this year from 24 March to 9 April. If, on the other hand, you are more in the mood for a stroll and a bit of shopping, you should not miss the Easter market in Innsbruck's old town. Located directly in front of the Goldenes Dachl, the more than 30 stalls offer all kinds of handicrafts, decorations and toys - and of course Easter eggs. The market is open from 31 March to 10 April.

Tip: environmentally friendly and relaxed with public transport to and through the regionBythe way, when travelling to the spring holiday in the alpine-urban region of Innsbruck, you can completely do without your own car, because the train is the best way to go. In addition to the tried and tested connections of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the WESTbahn also now makes a stop in the Tyrolean capital. The city is also well connected by train, bus and tram, so that even without your own vehicle you can be completely flexible - regardless of whether you are looking for skiing fun on the slopes, relaxing in the sun in a restaurant garden, cultural highlights in the old town or all of the above.

About Innsbruck TourismusInnsbruckTourismus is the official destination management organisation of theInnsbruckregion, which stretches from the Tyrolean capital across 40 towns in its surroundings - from the Inntal to the Mieminger Plateau via Kühtai to the Sellraintal. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays annually (as of 2019), the Innsbruck region is one of the largest tourism institutions in Austria and is a unique symbiosis of vibrant urban space and fascinating alpine mountains. Diverse city flair and sightseeing are only a breath away from the next cycling or hiking tour, the next skiing or winter hiking experience. The free Welcome Card guest card is the key to the boundless diversity of the region: with the free use of public transport, up and across numerous highlights can be experienced sustainably and comfortably. For the approximately 90 employees, the guest is at the centre of their thoughts and actions. Through their enthusiasm for the alpine-urban area, they convey to their guests what their own heart beats for, and thus prepare unforgettable holiday experiences in harmony with man and nature time and again. With a total of 12 tourism information sites, Innsbruck Tourism is close to its guests, in the middle of the action and with its finger on the pulse - a hub for authentic stories and personal impressions of local characters, which can be found on the popular blog and social channels under #myinnsbruck.