Imagine hiking up a mountain under a full moon with fresh snow under your feet, breaking through the tree line and feeling that warm glow of sunrise hitting your face. Riding a sleigh pulled by huskies in a winter wonderland, cross- country skiing through villages nestled in the Austrian Alps, tobogganing down a mountain at sunset, swimming in a frozen lake or ski-touring up a mountain and descending through the trees. Imagine ending your day in a rejuvenating thermal spa before dinner and a well-earned sleep, to wake up and do it all over again. Welcome to winter holidays in Austria!
As a lover of adventure, I’m always looking for ways to bring adventure into travel and everyday life. Working in partnership with Visit Austria, we designed my dream solo trip which gave me the opportunity to explore everything the Austrian Alps has to offer, things you might not think of doing on a ski holiday… I’m excited to share my adventures with you and I hope something here inspires you in some way!
Skiing + Exploring the city
Innsbruck
Using the Ski Plus City Card that gives you access to 13 ski resorts with night skiing and tobogganing, public transport, 22 sight-seeing opportunities including museums, the zoo, cycle tours and 3 swimming pools. I did my best to pack in as much action as I could in 24 hours in Innsbruck! I skied two resorts, explored the city and took the Nordkette cable car up to 2,344m for unbeatable views at the ‘Top of Innsbruck’. All with time to enjoy a delicious dinner of Schnitzel and Apple Strudel with a stein of local beer at Weisses Rössl. What a day!
Nordic Biathlon
Ötztal
Upon arrival at the Aqua Dome Hotel in Ötztal, I could have spent my entire time enjoying the spa and stunning views from my hotel room, however, adventure calls and I went straight out into the mountains for my Nordic Biathlon challenge! I met mountain guide Martin from Alpinzeit who helped me transform from ‘Bambi on ice’ to cross-country skier in an hour! Cross country skiing is full body workout as you delicately shift your weight from one ski to the next. I wasn’t too keen on the shooting element of a Nordic Biathlon, but after giving it a go, not only was it fun but I was also quite good at it!
Backcountry Ski-Touring Adventure
The next day I met mountain guide Vitus from Alpinzeit who took me on an incredible adventure. Using skins on the bottom of our skis, we ski-toured up the mountain for three hours – a massive workout and a really mindful way to experience the mountains with the movement of ski touring. We ascended through the forest arriving to jaw-dropping views in every direction. After having lunch at the top, it was time to descend. This was a real challenge for me as it pushed my backcountry skiing ability and I fell over many times, which was both exhausting and a steep learning curve! Vitus and Martin are fantastic guides and not only did I feel safe with them, but we had a lot of fun. Please note I never ski off piste or go ski touring without relevant safety equipment and someone who knows the area.
After these amazing days adventuring in the Austrian Alps, I couldn’t wait to enjoy the Aqua Dome thermal spa and the stunning views from my hotel room.
Tobogganing
St. Johann in Tirol
When designing my trip with the team at Visit Austria, I asked if we could please include tobogganing in the itinerary as it is so much fun! I was 30 years old when I first took a toboggan ride down a mountain with a group of friends in Austria (on a different trip) and from then onwards, it’s something I aim to do every time I return. To make it more of a challenge for me, I was instructed to hike up the mountain hauling my toboggan behind me, before enjoying the exhilarating descent. It was Friday afternoon when I began my hike from St Johann in Tirol and soon working up a sweat, found myself delayering as I gained height. Other people joined me on the same mission and I was so intrigued that this seemed to a common pastime. When I arrived at the top of the run, two hours after setting off, I found the people who had passed me at the local restaurant drinking beer and schnapps before taking the ride back down the mountain! What a life. The downhill was as much fun as I anticipated and I loved every second of it.
St Johann in Tirol is a lovely resort that feels perfect for families or those wanting a quieter experience. I had a wonderful day skiing on my own and eating delicious Austrian food.
Freeride Skiing
Zell am See Kaprun
When I first laid eyes on Zell am See Kaprun, I felt I might move here. Two of my favourite things in the world are mountains and water and I am a very happy lady when I get the chance to enjoy both. Zell am See is a mountain resort surrounding a big lake in the middle of the valley. On a summer day you could ski on the glacier in the morning and take a boat on the lake in the afternoon. Dream life! Although the lake was frozen when I was there, so no boats, but let me tell you what I did get up to…
I met Michi a mountain guide from Ski Schule who took me under his wing for a day of ski tuition on and off-piste in the mighty Kitzsteinhorn resort. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the expert guidance of the guides on this trip which helped me develop into a more competent and confident skier. Michi and I had a lot of fun skiing in powder and ended the day enjoying Austrian après ski.
Winter Yoga and Ice swimming
I met Monika on one of the most beautiful mornings I have ever been privy to. Clear blue skies and glorious sunshine melting frost on the trees, meant that the sky was glistening, almost as if someone had scattered glitter into the air. The world in all its glory made a perfect backdrop for the activities Monika and I had planned. She took me up the mountain and after a short walk we came to a clearing overlooking the lake and the Kitzsteinhorn resort where I was skiing the day before. She guided me through a gentle yoga practice which was both a challenge to keep my balance in the snow, and an experience I will never forget. In contrast to the last few days of adventure, this was the relaxation and zen my body and mind needed.
After yoga we went down to the lake for some cold water swimming! We weren’t expecting the lake to be completely frozen so we found a stick to break the ice and gently ventured in. Still only mid morning, there was a layer of misty cloud above the lake with the mountains that make Zell am See what it is, towering above. Absolutely breath-takingly beautiful.
I stayed at Hotel ACTIVE a wonderful family run hotel with delicious food and a hammock outside my room overlooking the mountains. The perfect place to enjoy afternoon sunshine before dinner and bed.
Husky Sleigh Ride
St. Johann in Salzburg
Transporting me right into the heart of nature on a magical day when the snow didn’t stop falling, was a husky sleigh ride in St. Johann in Salzburg. Huskies have a real energy about them when they are in a pack and geed up by the prospect of pulling a sleigh. Curious, friendly creatures – they will want to say hello and sniff you. A great family activity and a chance to sit back and relax as you are transported through the forest snuggled into reindeer skins.
I stayed at Berghof, Alpendorf which had a wonderful spa and friendly staff who left a little Valentine’s Day gift of chocolates in my room with a welcome card.
Sunrise Snowshoe Adventure
Altenmarkt – Zauchensee
It was raining heavily in the valley and I thought our adventure may be called off, but as arranged Tomi from Mountain Sports Guide was outside at the crack of dawn ready to take me into the mountains. As we drove up the valley to our starting point, we passed through the dense clouds covering Altenmarkt – Zauchensee and what we found was another breath-taking mountain scene. The full moon illuminated fresh snowfall and a cold, bright night.
We strapped our feet into the snowshoes and began creating fresh tracks in the light, fluffy snow. We meandered through the forest occasionally spotting animal tracks alongside us. The world was quiet, calm and majestic. We took our time making our way to the top of the mountain, snow-shoeing is a deeply methodical activity open to all fitness abilities. It’s basically like walking, but so much easier with this piece of kit designed to help you glide over the surface of the snow rather than sinking into it with each step. After an hour we stopped for a quick snack break and I turned to admire the pink skies behind me, a sign that sunrise was on its way. As we took our final steps onto the top of the mountain, the sun was now big and bright in the sky filtering through trees laden with fresh snowfall and the world was glistening in the way only a bluebird day in the mountains can.
I stayed at Pension Bliem, a wonderful family run hotel with the most gorgeous cat called ‘Jimmy-Blue’ who I had many cuddles with. I spent the afternoon relaxing at the local leisure centre Erlebnis-Therme Amadé which has an amazing thermal spa with steam rooms, indoor and outdoor saunas of different temperatures, a heated outdoor pool and cold plunge. Lying in the pool oozing with steam and gazing at the mountains in the afternoon sunlight was a real treat – but be prepared – no swimwear allowed, everyone is naked!!
Salzburg
To complete my trip in the Austrian Alps and begin my homeward journey, I stayed for two nights in Salzburg. I enjoyed walking around the city, looking for the perfect Dirndl and catching up on some rest after an epic adventure. There’s nothing quite like watching the world go by from a café and taking some time to reflect on what’s just happened. What an incredible trip it was from Innsbruck to Salzburg; trying new activities, having new adventures and challenging myself. Austria has captured my heart once more and I will forever look back on this trip with the fondest of memories. I can’t believe how much I packed into my time here and feel so fortunate for this experience.
Thank you Visit Austria!
