Skiing In Innsbruck: The Most Beautiful Ski Areas (Overview & Photo Spots)

Skiing in Innsbruck brings a unique experience. The city is ​​surrounded by mountains and ski areas, and if you don’t want to choose between city life and skiing, this is the place for you. Some experience it as a short weekend break, some as a business trip, and for some people, it’s their whole life. In this article, you will find all the important information about the ski areas around Innsbruck, how to get there, which are the most beautiful ski locations, and we will also give you our best tips for a perfect ski holiday in Innsbruck.

How many ski areas are available in Innsbruck?

There are 13 ski areas around Innsbruck, all of which can be reached within 45 minutes by car. You can reach almost every ski area in Tyrol (around 80 of them) under a 1.5-hour drive. This diversity is unique in the world! From city life to the ski area, this can easily be done in half a day. The locals often do this before or after work or school/university as skiing is part of their life.

List of ski areas Innsbruck

• Kühtai ski area: 2,020m – 2,520m – 24 lifts – 84 km of slopes
• Axamer Lizum ski area: 1,585m – 2,340m – 10 lifts – 43 km of slopes
• Ski area “Hausberg” Patscherkofel: 1,010m – 2,250 m – 6 lifts – 18 km of slopes
• Family ski area Muttereralm: 950m – 1,850m – 6 lifts – 19.1 km of slopes
• Nordkette ski area: 860m – 2,334m – 6 lifts – 6.2 km of slopes
• Oberperfuss ski area: 851m – 1,939m – 4 lifts – 17 km of slopes
• Schlick 2000 ski area: 1,000m – 2,240m – 10 lifts – 24 km of slopes
• Stubai Glacier ski area: 1,750m – 3,210m – 28 lifts – 51 km of slopes

Other ski areas nearby:

• Seefeld-Rosshütte ski area
• Glungezer ski area
• Elferlifte Stubaital ski area
• Berger Alm ski area
• Hochoetz ski area
• Serlesbahnen ski area

Beginner ski lifts

• Rinn children’s area
• Grünberg lift children’s area
• Sonnberg lift in Gries

Arrival: How do I get there from Innsbruck?

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You have 3 options to get to the ski areas around Innsbruck.

1. With your own car. Simply use your navigation system or map service such as Google Maps and let yourself be guided to the ski area of ​​your choice. There are enough parking spaces everywhere (with the exception of the Nordkette).
2. By taxi: the most expensive but probably the most convenient option. If you are in a particularly hurry, use a taxi. Transport service providers such as Uber are not available in Innsbruck. But actually, if you come here, just use the bus or a car as all locals do – and you are fine.
3. With local public transport: All buses and trams to the Innsbruck ski areas are free (with the exception of the train to Seefeld, bus/tram to the Stubai Valley) for winter sports enthusiasts.

We recommend the “SmartRide” app from Verkehrsverbund Tirol or the website www.vvt.at with live data and footpath descriptions.

Which ski areas are easy to reach near Innsbruck Airport?

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You can reach the Nordkette ski area very quickly near Innsbruck Airport. It is about 15 minutes by car or taxi to the Hungerburg gondola up to the Seegrube. It is around 25 minutes by bus.

Bus from Innsbruck airport to the ski area: Take the “F” bus from the airport to the city (the airport is the final stop, so you cannot go in the wrong direction). Get off at the Universität/Klinik stop. Go a few steps back to the Innbrücke – turn right here and walk along the river to the city center. You are at this point 4 minutes away from the market square. Here you can take a picture of the famous colorful houses. Cross the street and get on the Marktplatz bus stop in the direction of Hungerburg/Nordkette. After about 20 minutes, you are right at the cable car to the Nordkette.

Alternatively, take bus F to Anichstrasse/Rathausgalerien (use Google Maps) and go to the Hungerburgbahn Station Congress. Here you start right in the center of the ski area.

Both variants take about 40 minutes.

Tip: Bus rides are free for winter sports enthusiasts!

Recommendation: We recommend the “SmartRide” app from Verkehrsverbund Tirol or the website www.vvt.at with live data and footpath descriptions.

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The 3 best ski areas around Innsbruck – our recommendations

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Our favorite ski areas in Innsbruck are the Nordkette (directly in the city), the Axamer Lizum (25 minutes away by car or 40 minutes by bus), and the Stubai Glacier.

Here are all the details you need.

#1 Nordkette ski area

Steep and high, right above the city center

The ski area on the Nordkette is unique. Directly from the city center, it takes only 20 minutes by funicular and gondola to the snow-covered Karwendel Mountains. The piste area is very small compared to many other areas in the Alps, but it is consistently very steep and it has many options in a confined space.

As soon as fresh snow is reported, the freeriders fight for a place in the first gondola. The Seegrube offers beginner ski courses and is the number one playground on the freestyle and freeride scenes. With freshly played music at the Cloud9 snow bar, you can enjoy the view and the show of the freestylers from a deck chair.

#2 Axamer Lizum ski area

Diverse area in the Tyrolean Dolomites

Probably the most varied ski area around Innsbruck was twice the venue for the alpine competitions at the Olympic Games (1964 and 1976). Every Innsbrucker has his favorite ski area – and we recommend the Axamer Lizum. The slopes come in many sizes and difficulties, and there are many touring options, as well.

Up on the Hoadl you can enjoy the fabulous view of the Kalkkögel and the Sellrain. You can stop at the Dohlennest, Birgitzköpflhaus, or the Sunnalm. This mixture makes the Lizum one of the best ski destinations in the area.

#3 Stubai Glacier ski area

Glacier ski area with a view of the Dolomites

The most popular glacier area in the Alps is the Stubai Glacier. The slopes are enjoyable and very broad in choice, the lifts are modern, and the snow conditions are often ideal thanks to the altitude.

Promising ski tours in spring and a world-class snow park are always reason enough for experienced Innsbruckers to take the 35-minute drive or an hour-and-a-half bus ride from the center of Innsbruck.

Which is the most beautiful family ski area in Innsbruck?

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Family ski areas are characterized by their tranquility and they tend to be smaller. This means that the youngest family members are not overwhelmed by a large variety of overcrowded slopes.

In our opinion, the best family ski areas in Innsbruck are the Muttereralm ski area and the Rangger Köpfl ski area.

In the Muttereralm, there are basically 2 long slopes, one of which is moderately steep and more suitable for better skiers (Götzner slope). The slope to Mutters is consistently flat and in the upper area, there is a very flat beginners’ area with an extra lift and safety precautions. It also has some smaller obstacles that invite children to play and have fun.

The Rangger Köpfl ski area consists of just one slope with a few branches. Here the author himself helped out as a ski instructor during the holidays. The upper part is ideal for beginners, the lower part, the valley run, is more demanding. Another plus here is the beautiful view over the Inn Valley.

Both ski areas are also inexpensive, therefore kind to the holiday budget. In both ski areas, there are daily beginner and children’s ski courses at the local ski schools. They are also not exaggerated in terms of price and make a skiing holiday easier for parents. They allow some relaxation and give them time to go skiing themselves.

Boredom on winter vacation? Discover the most beautiful places around Innsbruck at a photo workshop and capture your memories with beautiful pictures. There are group courses and individual courses.

Where is snow most reliable in Innsbruck?

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If snow reliability is very important to you, then the high-altitude areas of the Kühtai and the Stubai Glacier are a good choice. The Kühtai area starts at around 2000m above sea level and also has artificial snow-making systems. The season here lasts from late November to early May.

The Stubai Glacier is even higher and goes up to 3200m. The ski season here is from mid/late October to June.

All ski areas around Innsbruck (with the exception of the Nordkette) have extensive artificial snow-making systems and have a snow guarantee.

Which glacier ski areas are located near Innsbruck?

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The closest area is the Stubai Glacier – about 30 minutes by car from Innsbruck city center. The Sölden glacier ski area, the Pitztal Glacier, the Hintertux Glacier, and the Kaunertal Glacier can also be reached in about 1.5 hours by car (about 100 minutes).

Bonus tip! Photo hikes around Innsbruck

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There are numerous hiking tours around Innsbruck’s local mountains with great views of the Inn Valley and Innsbruck. In our opinion, the best way to explore Innsbruck as a photographer is the unique perspective from the mountains.

This is it for our list of ski areas and slopes around Innsbruck. What are your favorite spots? Which do you find the most beautiful?