Innsbruck is a winter wonderland. The town is beautiful and comes alive in winter, with a certain charm that is somewhat difficult to describe without personally experiencing it. There are so many wonderful shops, restaurants, and bars……We loved Innsbruck and can’t recommend visiting in the winter enough!

Now, if you are visiting Innsbruck in winter, you probably are using it as a base to go skiing at one of the 12 ski resorts close enough for a day trip. In the research for our trip we found the existing materials to be somewhat confusing and inadequate, so the hope here is this guide will simplify the experience for you and get you on the slopes more quickly!

Table of Contents:

Why is Innsbruck a good base?

Innsbruck is a great base for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the sheer volume of ski resorts (12 in the Tyrol region) means you’ll have a ton of options for different resorts that are sure to appeal to everyone. Each resort offers something different – do you want 15 miles of easier runs? Family friendly amenities? “Off-piste” runs? Terrain parks? Apres-ski? Check and check. You will find exactly what you are looking for in at least one of the resorts around Innsbruck.

What we loved about staying in Innsbruck is you can try multiple different resorts during your trip depending on what you are looking for on that day! Or, if you find that you love a particular resort, by staying in Innsbruck you’ll be able to revisit any of the ski resorts of your choosing. This can be easily (and affordably!) achieved via the Ski+City Pass which gives you access to all 12 ski resorts in the region and access to discounts in the city of Innsbruck for $75 or less per day, with discounts for longer trips!

What the volume of resorts also means is that no one resort will ever be overly crowded – not like some resorts in the US with lines for lifts stretching for over 30 minutes! Despite skiing in Innsbruck during the most busy week of the year, we never waited more than 10 minutes for a lift.

The third great reason you should stay in Innsbruck for your Alps ski trip is that all of the ski resorts are accessible by public transportation from Innsbruck, or if you prefer faster and more direct access, you can easily take an Uber/taxi or drive to the ski resorts as well. All of the ski resorts are well connected to Innsbruck via bus and/or train, meaning you can take advantage of public transportation for cheap travel.

Finally, the best part about staying in Innsbruck for skiing is exactly that – the stay in Innsbruck! Innsbruck is such a great town to experience during the winter, with a myriad of delicious restaurants and charming streets. A stay in Innsbruck is bound to be an experience you won’t forget!

What ski resorts are near Innsbruck? (and how to get there by public transportation)

Nordkette

What is Nordkette known for?

Nordkette is an “in-city” ski resort, located just 20 minutes from Old Town Innsbruck. The best part about this resort is the proximity to Innsbruck itself, though it’s worthwhile to visit in its own right. Nordkette is definitely more for advanced skiers, with less than 1km of easy slopes. That said, the two main draws of Nordkette are Seegrube and Karrinne. Seegrube is a beautiful restaurant featuring unmatched views of Innsbruck and the region. Karrinne is a freeride descent that is one of the steepest in Europe at almost a 70% grade!

Who should visit Nordkette?

Advanced skiers – both freeride and terrain park skiers. Nordkette has a fantastic terrain park. Families are also welcome, though the resort is definitely geared towards more dare devil types.

How do I get to Nordkette?

Just walk! From Old Town Innsbruck walk to the Hungerburgbahn Valley Station and take the funicular and gondola up to the top! The convenience of Nordkette is unmatched.

Axamer Lizum

What is Axamer Lizum known for?

Axamer Lizum is perhaps most famous for hosting the 1964 and 1976 giant and downhill slaloms at the Winter Olympic Games. Today, Axamer Lizum is a great ski resort thanks to it’s 40km of downhill slopes and multiple restaurants/bars at the top of the lifts.

Who should visit Axamer Lizum?

With 75% of their 40km of slopes rated easy or intermediate, Axamer Lizum has a little something for everyone. This is one ski resort we visited ourselves and we had a lot of fun! The runs are long and challenging for all levels, and the restaurant at the top of the Hoadl lift offered a fantastic experience. We aren’t sure what was better – the skiing or the drinks at the top!

How do I get to Axamer Lizum?

The easiest and fastest way to get to Axamer Lizum is to Uber/Taxi (or drive if you’ve rented a car!). We Ubered and it took just 25 minutes. The other, cheaper option is to take bus 412 from the Innsbruck train station. The bus will take about 40 minutes, runs every half hour, and takes you directly to the bottom of the ski lift. Check this website for the most updated time table!

Stubaier Gletscher

What is Stubaier Gletscher known for?

“Simply High” is the motto of Stubaier Gletscher, and it’s easy to see why! Standing at almost 10,000 feet, Stubaier Gletscher offers guaranteed skiing from October-May. It is also Austria’s largest ski resort with 26 lifts, 33 downhill runs, and over 40 miles of slopes including the Daunhill run which is over 6 miles long and hits a 60% gradient!

Who should visit Stubaier Gletscher?

Everyone! Stubaier Gletscher is perfect for everyone, whether you are a beginner or expert, young or old, single or family. With 14 easy, 9 intermediate-advanced, and 6 freeride slopes, in addition to a terrain park and family fun area, you are sure to find something that is perfect for you. We personally visited this resort and loved every minute of it and couldn’t recommend Stubaier enough!

How do I get to Stubaier Gletscher?

Stubaier is a 45 minute drive from Innsbruck, so driving or Ubering/taxiing is definitely possible! If you want to take public transportation, take bus line 590 from the train station. Buses leave every 30 minutes, though it will likely take 1.5 hours or so and be very crowded (as it was for us!). There is also a “direct” ski bus that has several stops in Innsbruck, though our receptionist told us the pick up is not always on time, the size of the bus changes, and it may not come at all.

Schlick 2000

What is Schlick 2000 known for?

Schlick 2000 is a family resort with rustic Tyrolean charm in the numerous lodges and restaurants on the mountain. Featuring a snow guarantee, speed run, and 15 miles of slopes, Schlick 2000 is sure to have something for the whole family. This is another high quality resort very close to Innsbruck.

Who should visit Schlick 2000?

Families! There are 18 easy-intermediate runs, a world-class kid’s learning area, and with 9 restaurants and bars dotted around the slopes there is something for every member of the family regardless of skill level or desire.

How do I get to Schlick 2000?

Located just 20 minutes from Innsbruck, Schlick 2000 is yet another great candidate for people to drive themselves or catch a taxi. If you’d rather take public transportation, you can catch line 590 from the Innsbruck train station to Fulpmes village center, where you can then transfer to line 1 or 3 to the Schlick valley station.

Serlesbahnen Mieders

What is Serlesbahnen Mieders known for?

Serlesbahnen Mieders is a beginner’s paradise! Characterized by wide, easy to navigate slopes, Serlesbahnen’s stated goal is to be the resort for less serious skiers who want a pleasant experience. With a kid’s area located just off the valley station, this is a great small resort. With under 7 miles of slopes, this resort will not be a huge production like some of the other resorts in the area.

Who should visit Serlesbahnen Mieders?

Beginners and those wanting a leisurely experience! There are no difficult rated slopes, and there aren’t that many slopes in general (just 7 easy and 2 intermediate). If you are looking to get back on your skis, get on them for the first time, or just want a relaxing day on the snow, this is the resort for you.

How do I get to Serlesbahnen Mieders?

This is a very accessible resort from Innsbruck! From the main train station catch the 590a or 590b bus towards Stubai. After about 25 minutes you’ll come to the Mieders Serlesbahnen stop. Otherwise you can Uber or drive roughly 20 minutes from the train station straight to the resort.

Elferbahnen Neustift

What is Elferbahnen Neustift known for?

Elferbahnen Neustift, also located in the Stubai Valley, is another very small but quaint “resort.” Now, this certainly is not a big production with only 3 runs, none of which are particularly easy. However, Elferbahnen features two of the longest illuminated toboggan runs in Tyrol.

Who should visit Elferbahnen Neustift?

Elferbahnen is perfect for people who want to get away from crowds and hone their skills on challenging but reasonable slopes. Just be careful to ensure that all three runs are open or you might get bored going on the same one every time!

How do I get to Elferbahnen Neustift?

Just 20 minutes from Innsbruck, Elferbahnen Neustift is easily reachable via either car or Uber. For public transportation, this resort is also along the bus 590a/b route which runs 2-3 times an hour!

Kuhtai Ski Resort

What is Kuhtai Ski Resort known for?

Kuhtai is a fantastic resort that earned the Tyrolean slope quality seal for “uniformly marked and well-groomed ski slopes.” It is a true ski-in ski-out resort with access to the slopes from both the car parks and the on-site hotels. Featuring 30 miles of ski runs, 20 restaurants and bars, cross-country ski paths, toboggan runs, and night skiing 2 times per week (Wednesday and Saturday), Kuhtai has is sure to appeal to everyone.

Who should visit Kuhtai Ski Resort?

This is another resort that will appeal to individuals of all skill levels and persuasions. Kuhtai has a nice blend of slopes for all levels, and tops it off with fun family activities like the toboggan run and night ski. This is simply a fantastic resort that should be high on your list to visit.

How do I get to Kuhtai Ski Resort?

Similar to every other resort, the best way to get to Kuhtai is to drive or take an Uber ~40 minutes from Innsbruck. If you prefer public transportation then take bus line 4166 which leaves from the Innsbruck train station once an hour on the hour starting at 8am. The ride on the bus will take roughly an hour.

Hochoetz

What is Hochoetz known for?

Hochoetz is another fantastic family resort, featuring nearly 25 miles of excellent slopes, but the best part is that it is one of the 5 sunniest resorts in Austria with an average of 71 sunny days per year. The Widiversum is a family fun zone featuring small hills for youngsters, snow tubes, and a carousel that is active in winter! In addition there is a permanent race track and challenging slopes for all levels.

Who should visit Hochoetz?

This is another great resort for families thanks to the focus on kid friendly areas, but anyone can enjoy this resort thanks to the variety of runs for all levels. Thanks to Hochoetz being one of the sunniest resorts in Austria this is a great resort for skiers who want to maximize their chances of skiing with a view!

How do I get to Hochoetz?

Hochoetz is a bit trickier to get to, but the best way is probably to take the 4166 bus from Innsbruck to Kuhtai, then taking the free shuttle bus about 15 minutes over to Hochoetz. This is a bit further of a journey to get to Hochoetz than some of the other resorts on this list, but you can also drive or taxi about 45 minutes if you prefer making this still reasonable to do in a day.

Muttereralm

What is Muttereralm known for?

While on the smaller end of resorts near Innsbruck with just 10 miles of groomed slopes, Muttereralm offers a unique experience compared with many other ski areas. The most unique experience of skiing in Muttereralm is the slopes being flanked by forests on each side, offering a different experience than the wide open runs of many other areas. Muttereralm is nature-oriented and is known for having beautiful forest descents.

Who should visit Muttereralm?

Muttereralm is geared towards nature-lovers, families, and more beginner level skiers. All but one run are rated easy or intermediate, there are 2 toboggan runs, and a permanent snow bike track. Combined with the forest flanked slopes Muttereralm is great for families and skiers who want a smaller resort feel.

How do I get to Muttereralm?

In this case, public transportation is probably the best option as the ride is just 20 minutes on bus line 414. The drive is about 15 minutes, so taking a taxi will not save much time and will be more expensive.

Patscherkofel

What is Patscherkofel known for?

Known as Innsbruck’s local mountain, Patscherkofel is just a 10 minute drive from Innsbruck. Like many other resorts in the region, Patscherkofel features an Olympic Run that was part of the downhill competition in the 1964 and 1976 Olympics.

Who should visit Patscherkofel?

Patscherkofel has 12 miles of groomed slopes, featuring a variety of difficulties. The longer runs are more difficult, but the number of slopes is fairly equally distributed between the different levels. In addition to the Olympic downhill run, there are practice slopes, an area for kids, and and an ice skating rink. The combination of all these different amenities makes Patscherkofel a great option for families and skiers of all levels.

How do I get to Patscherkofel?

Patscherkofel is just a 10-15 drive from Innsbruck, making it very convenient for either an Uber or taxi. Alternatively, public transportation via Bus J from Innsbruck Maria-Theresien-Strasse will take 30 minutes and drops you off right at the valley station of the gondola.

Oberperfuss-Rangger Kopfl

What is Oberperfuss-Rangger Kopfl known for?

Rangger Kopfl is a family resort located just outside of Innsbruck, featuring wide slopes and great views of the Inn Valley. This resort has many kid friendly activities and amenities, with beautiful sun terraces for relaxing after some runs. The best part is this is a very affordable option, with prices hovering around $40 for the 2024-2025 season.

Who should visit Oberperfuss-Rangger Kopfl?

Families and skiers of all abilities. With all of the family friendly amenities, this resort is perfect for kids and parents! Featuring 5 miles of easy, 4 miles of intermediate, and over a mile of difficult slopes everyone will be sure to find something for them. Combined with the toboggan runs, you won’t leave this resort disappointed!

How do I get to Oberperfuss-Rangger Kopfl?

Rangger Kopfl is just 15 minutes from Innsbruck, so driving or Ubering is a great option for a day trip. If you prefer public transportation, you can catch Bus 461, 462, 463, or 464, each of which leaves from the Innsbruck train station and will take roughly 40 minutes to get to the resort. Thanks to the number of different lines you can take there are busses that leave often for convenience!

Glungezer

What is Glungezer known for?

Glungezer styles itself as an “ultra-modern” ski resort with a total of 10 slopes. The runs are mostly focused in the intermediate range, with 2 beginner and 1 advanced slope as well. However, Glungezer also has a great ski school so any level of skier will be welcome!

Who should visit Glungezer?

As a resort featuring mostly intermediate runs, Glungezer is best for people who are fairly good skiers that want to get away from some of the crowds of the other resorts. Those who are beginners and want to challenge themselves to get better would also do well here!

How do I get to Glungezer?

Once again, the two best ways to get to Glungezer are going to be to drive/Uber 20 minutes, or take the 540 bus line from the Innsbruck train station. The bus will take about 30 minutes and will drop you off right at the valley station of the resort.

What is the best way to get to the ski resorts?

This question depends on your comfortability with driving and your willingness to spend a bit more money. There are 3 ways to get to ski resorts near Innsbruck – 1) Take public transportation, 2) Uber/Taxi, 3) rent a car and drive yourself.

We’ve noted the bus lines that will take you to all the ski resorts above, but we highly recommend downloading the OBB Tickets app on your phone. This app is essential for travel within Austria as you can plan your routes, see when the next bus/train is, and buy your tickets all in one place. This is a game changer and will really help with figuring out the public transportation to and from the ski resorts!

If you are comfortable driving on mountain roads in potentially hazardous conditions then renting a car is the best way to get to the ski resorts, though it may be the most expensive option. The freedom to arrive and leave when you want is extremely convenient and can maximize your time on the slopes!

Ubering and taxiing are great options as well, though it is likely to be fairly expensive. It is much faster than the bus and more comfortable. We never waited long for an Uber to take us to the resort, but we did have a decent wait to come back to Innsbruck so plan ahead if you plan to Uber!

Should I buy lift tickets in advance?

If, like us, you are visiting during a busy period (i.e. the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day), you might be stressed about buying a lift ticket online in advance. While buying in advance might give you peace of mind, it’s not strictly necessary and lift tickets can be quickly and easily purchased on arrival at the ski resort of your choosing. We’d recommend at least waiting until you can see the weather outlook as having a clear day to ski is one of the best and most magical parts of skiing in the Alps.

What about renting gear?

When it comes to renting ski gear for your Austrian adventure, you have two options: renting in Innsbruck and keeping the gear throughout your trip, or renting on a daily basis at the ski resorts.

Most of the ski resorts will have a ski shop for rentals, though some of the smaller ones may not so double check the website we linked before going! The advantage of this method is that you don’t have to lug your ski gear with you back and forth to the resort, and if you have a break day in the middle of skiing then it could save you money to rent each individual day.

There are two drawbacks of renting at the resort. The first is that it takes a lot of time! On our trip renting at the resort took 30-45 minutes each time, which really ate into our day on the slopes. The second is that if you plan to ski for multiple days in a row, renting at the resort is likely to be more expensive.

Renting in Innsbruck and carrying the gear with you, however, will save you time and money – again assuming you are skiing multiple days in a row. While it might be annoying to lug your gear with you to the resort each day, it can be worth it depending on what you value most – convenience or efficiency.

Two things we wish we had done on our ski trip to Innsbruck

1) Ubered/Taxied/driven ourselves to the ski resorts

While having public transportation is certainly a nice option, the bus routes are generally quite long and add extra time and stress to your ski trip. For instance, the bus to Stubaier Gletscher took 1.5 hours and was packed. Leaving was no better as we weren’t sure if we would even make it on the bus due to the amount of people trying to cram on. While it’s important to note that we were there during New Years and this was likely the busiest time of the year, it still added unnecessary anxiety at the beginning and end of our ski days.

Instead, we would recommend either ubering or taxiing, or even renting a car if you are comfortable driving on snowy mountain roads. Yes, this is definitely quite a bit more expensive than the busses. However, our Uber to Axamer Lizum shaved over 30 minutes of travel time and was super convenient and comfortable. You’ll want to evaluate whether or not this financially makes sense depending on the ski resort you go to, but we personally had a great experience doing this for Axamer Lizum and will do it again when we make it back to Innsbruck to ski.

2) Rented gear in Innsbruck

This somewhat goes hand-in-hand with the first suggestion, as not dealing with lugging skis and gear on public buses makes this option much more palatable. Renting gear in Innsbruck before hitting the slopes is a great way to save time and (potentially) money. We’ll use our experiences as an anecdote – when we arrived at Stubaier Gletscher we spent almost 45 minutes trying to get our skis and snowboard, with a slightly faster experience at Axamer Lizum. As most of the ski lifts are only open until 4-4:30, that’s a lot of lost time either on the slopes or enjoying the apres ski.

Renting in Innsbruck once and then carrying your gear will surely save you time, and it will also likely save you money if you’ll be skiing multiple days. Keeping the same rentals over multiple days is cheaper than renting new skis each day. The only downside to this approach is if you take a break day in between skiing you would still be paying for that day, however in that case we’d still say the time savings will be more than worth it!

We hope you have a fantastic trip! Innsbruck is amazing, and skiing there is truly an incredible experience.