Innsbruck: The 10 Most Beautiful Easy Ski Tours For Beginners (Locations, Tips & Tricks)
Innsbruck is a ski touring paradise, and it has something to offer to everybody – professionals, intermediate skiers, and beginners. Here we present you the most beautiful beginner-oriented ski tours around Innsbruck. In addition to the list of beginner ski destinations in open terrain, you will also get other essential information about these ski trips to alpine pastures, like difficulty levels and tour length.
From the city, you make your way to many top ski touring areas, such as the Sellrain, Karwendel, and Wipptal, or countless alpine pastures within half an hour. In this article you will find:
- Beginners ski touring in open terrain
- Ski tours in old/closed ski areas
- Extra useful tips
We have left out ski tours on ski slopes, as they are covered in other articles.
Beginner ski tours in the open terrain around Innsbruck
Tips for beginner ski tours near Innsbruck: These 5 destinations are easy to reach for a beginner and will take you to some truly magical places.
#1 Ski tour from the Sattele to the Feldringalm
Ski tour from the Sattele to the Feldringalm and over the Feldringer Boden to the Faltegartenköpfl has a fantastic ascent over the Feldringer Boden with wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding Sellrainer (Nedertaler). What follows are magnificent views down into the Inn Valley from the summit. It is an ideal ski tour for beginners, as it has almost zero risks of avalanches! A very rewarding stop is at the Feldringalm, as well.
Information on the ski tour in the folds garden köpfl
Difficulty: easy (level 1 of 5)
Length: 4.3km
Difference in altitude: 510m
Starting point: By car: Parking lot at the Sattele (chargeable, 1690m) – directly at the transition from Haiming (Haiminger Berg) to Kühtai (Ochsengarten). By bus, you go to the Ochsengarten stop.
Avalanche danger: Very low to none
#2 Ski touring trail Lampsenspitze
The Lampsenspitze is one of the most famous and popular ski touring peaks in Tyrol. Here beginners can learn their first steps and advanced skiers can practice acquired skills.
The ski trip to the Lampsenspitze is nice for beginners in the world of alpine skiing. For ambitious walkers, the tour is less exciting, but the landscape is beautiful and also ideally suited to introduce friends and acquaintances to the sport and to let them immerse themselves into your world.
Information about the Lampsenspitze ski touring trail
Difficulty: easy-medium (Level 2/5)
Length: 4.7km
Difference in altitude: 1200m
Starting point: parking lot and bus stop Issboden
Avalanche danger: In the lower section up to LWS 3 there are no problems, while the upper section will expand your avalanche knowledge with the information boards.
#3 Ski tour on the Wetterkreuzkogel (2,591 m)
This location is easy to reach by public transport and it leads to the Wörgetal in Sellrain and the Wetterkreuzkogel.
The ascent navigates through the characteristic and romantic mountain forest and the flat Wörgetal. After a big right bend, it steepens a bit towards the summit. With an avalanche warning level 3, caution is advised from here. The tour is a real classic and ideally suited for beginners with some experience.
Information ski tour Wetterkreuzkogel (Sellrain)
Difficulty: easy-medium (level 2/5)
Length: 5.3km
Difference in altitude: 890m
Avalanche danger: In the lower section up to avalanche – warning level 3 without any problems. In the upper section or on the peak ascent up to LWS 2 without any problems.
Tip: At the start, the mountain path (towards Issalm) can be a bit icy. Crampons are recommended here.
For our German-speaking readers:
Because public transport works so comparatively well for popular sports in the Tyrolean mountains, we have not only summarized the most beautiful sports options for you in our book Outdoor Guide but also described how to get there by public transport. For now, it is available in German:
#4 Ski tour from Axams to Axamer Kögele
The Axamer Kögele is located near the Axamer Lizum ski area and is a light, albeit long, ski tour alternative with a very easy downhill option.
This piste ski tour starts in Axams and leads to the Kögele. First, it goes over an old, moderately steep forest ski piste. From about half of the 1200 meters in altitude, the terrain becomes flatter. The view over the Inn valley is excellent. If you are unsure about the descent, you can easily cross into the Axamer Lizum ski area and ski down the slope. The bus takes you back to the starting point.
Information on the Axams-Axamer Kögele ski tour
Difficulty: easy-medium (level 2/5)
Starting point: Kögelestrasse Axams (upper part) – public (chargeable) car park. Bus line L1 to the Axamer Lizum ski area to Axams Hoadlstrasse stop. Here, go 50 meters downhill and climb up across the meadow at the parking lot along the street.
Length: 4.2km
Difference in altitude: 1200m
Danger of avalanches: After leaving the forest in the last section shortly before the summit, caution is advised at avalanche level 3. check: www.lawine.report
Are you coming to Innsbruck for a summer or winter holiday or a short trip? You should definitely read these articles:
#5 Easy ski tour to the Nösslachjoch (2231 m)
Ski tours from the motorway parking lot? It might sound strange, but that is precisely why the ski tour to the Nösslachjoch is so popular. From Innsbruck and a quick trip on the motorway, park at the rest area. Just 20 minutes after driving off you are staring at the wonderful alpine cultural landscape.
Those who time their tour well can enjoy wonderful firn on this south-east exposed ski tour. At Nösslachhütte (1607m) you should take a break and enjoy the view and the excellent food.
Ski touring beginners will also enjoy the simple, fairly flat, and light forest slopes from the hut.
If you are unsure during the descent, you may have some difficulties on the forest path – so give yourself enough time.
Information on the Nösslachjoch ski tour
Difficulty: easy (level 1/5)
Starting point: Nößlach, the parking lot at the A13 Brenner motorway exit with the same name
Length: 4.4km
Difference in altitude: 900m
Avalanche danger: Very low avalanche danger, you can easily do this tour up to level 3. If you stay in the woods, also level 4 is possible.
#6 Easy ski tour to the Birgitzer Alm/Birgitzköpfl
The ski tour to the Birgitzköpfl is a wonderful short alternative trip, which is also possible when there is a high risk of avalanches. It attracts with a stop in the rustic Birgitzer Alm. The descent over the flat slopes and the forest path is not really worthwhile for advanced skiers, but it is just right for beginners. In terms of landscape, the upper part from the hut is something we absolutely recommend. Overall, the tour is well suited for beginners who want to get used to the open ski area and want to practice without the risk of avalanches.
Information on the Birgitzer Alm/Birgitzköpfl ski tour
Difficulty: easy (level 1/5)
Length: 3km
Difference in altitude: 650m
Starting point: Gasthof Adelshof (bus stop) above Axams or about 400m further on at the next stop.
Avalanche danger: The risk is low, but still present. The path can be walked over at least as far as the hut at avalanche level 4.
#7 Easy ski tour to the Vennspitze (2,390 m)
A short, well-traveled ski tour leads to the Vennspitze to the panoramic summit near the Brenner Pass and with a view of Italy. You can get to the summit ridge quite easily through the fantastic, simple ski area. The last few meters to the ridge are a little steeper and only here you are faced with the risk of avalanches.
The last few meters along the ridge are covered mostly on foot, without skis. This ascent is worthwhile because the summit offers a remarkable panoramic views.
Information about ski tour to the Vennspitze
Difficulty: easy-medium (level 2/5)
Length: 3.2Km
Difference in altitude: 820m
Starting point: Padauner Sattel after the Steckholzer inn in the Valser Valley (chains are compulsory in snow and ice)
Danger of avalanches: Up to the tree line quite safe from avalanches, but above and especially from the ridge, caution is advised. At avalanche level 3, beginners should join an experienced ski tourer.
Ski tours in old/closed ski areas and former slopes
#8 Ski tour to the Sattelberg Alm
The ski tour on the Sattelberg Alm is a classic and can be reached very quickly by car. Ascent and descent lead directly from the car park over the old ski slope, always flat, to the Sattelbergalm. You can stop here or continue straight to the summit of the Sattelberg. From here the tour is significantly steeper – it leads along with an old ski lift on an old ski slope and a tree line. From here you turn around as an inexperienced ski tourer, but more experienced visitors can also climb up to the summit (hard and icy, with a higher risk of avalanches).
Absolute beginners should stick to the easy tour and turn around at the Sattelbergalm.
Information about ski tour Sattelberg Alm
Difficulty: very easy (level 1/5 to the Sattelbergalm)/easy-medium (level 2/5 to the summit)
Starting point: Gries am Brenner, car park below the motorway bridge (subject to charges)
Length: 2km / 4.7km
Difference in altitude: 350Hm / 925Hm
Avalanche danger: No avalanche danger up to the Sattelbergalm. Feasible to tour to the summit up to avalanche level 3 (note: choice of tracks from the tree line and above!)
#9 Ski tour on the Grünberg (1,497m) near Mieming
The disused Grünberglift has become a real treasure for touring enthusiasts. The former slope is mostly groomed and so this easy-to-cover destination is very popular. The tour is ideal for all beginners and those who struggle with off-road skiing and are looking for an avalanche-safe event.
Information about the Grünberg near Mieming ski tour
Difficulty: easy-medium (level 1/5)
Starting point: car park at the Grünberglift (1031m) near Mieming
Length: 2.4km
Difference in altitude: 470m
Avalanche danger: Fairly safe tour as the terrain is quite flat. Doable till avalanche danger 4.
#10 Ski tour to the Rauthütte (1,605m)
The ski tour to the Rauthhütte is a popular tour near Seefeld. The Rauthhütte not only serves the best Tyrolean hut food, but also offers ski touring beginners a mostly well-preserved descent along the old ski slopes. If you like to climb securely away from a ski area and are looking for an easy descent option, this is the right place for you. The wonderful view of the Seefeld plateau is also free.
Information ski tour to the Rauthütte
Difficulty: easy (level 1/5)
Starting point: Moos (chargeable parking lot, parking fee will be refunded if consumed in the Rauthhütte).
Length: 2km
Difference in altitude: 430m
Avalanche danger: low. If there is a risk of avalanches, the parking lot is usually closed or there are signs.
Ski tours by bus and train from Innsbruck
The following of the mentioned ski tours are particularly easy to reach by public transport:
- Axamer Kögele ski tour
- Wetterkreuzkogel ski tour
- Ski tour to the Birgitzer Alm/Birgitzköpfl
Useful tips for beginners
Entering the open mountains outside of the ski slopes is at your own risk, so you are responsible for yourself and you have to assess the risks and dangers!
We, therefore, recommend that you prepare yourself well:
- First go on a simple piste ski tour and get to know your equipment.
- You should also be able to ski safely in the open ski area.
- You should have the necessary avalanche emergency equipment.
- Know where you are and be able to communicate your position to the rescue service (call directly 140 for mountain rescue or 112 if first option does not work)
- You must be able to use your avalanche emergency equipment with avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.
- We recommend that you learn the basics in an avalanche course or with experienced ski tourers and practice them again and again.
Please always refer to the current avalanche situation report: https://lawine.report
Hi, i am Marius, i love exploring the mountains and nature. Friends say, i know the mountains better than most locals, but actually i get lost all the time while photographing ;). Read more about the Mountain Moments Team.
