Rest in a popular alpine resort is not always noisy bars and discos, rich nightlife and crowded companies. Some go here to find peace and quiet in harmony with nature. When choosing ski tours to Austria for a family holiday, travelers most often prefer Stubai and Elmau. These cities are located in different parts of Tyrol, but they are united by a calm and measured atmosphere.

Stubai ski resort

The Stubaital valley has repeatedly received a higher rating from the ADAC Skiguide as the best place for active recreation with children. This resort area is located only 30 km from Innsbruck , it is easy to get here by ordering a transfer from the hotel or renting a car. However, you need to remember that in Austria, a special vignette is required to drive on the freeways.

Stubaital is divided into four main skiing areas:

• Neustift;
• Fulpmes;
• Meaders;
• Stubai Glacier.

The Stubai Glacier is probably the most interesting and beautiful place in the Alps. The glacier lies at altitudes from 1,721 m to 3,212 m, which is why local residents often call it the “roof of Tyrol”. The Stubai Valley boasts another amazing natural phenomenon: the so-called Spiny Glacier Ridge, consisting of 71 peaks above 3,000 m.

Resort infrastructure

The snow covers of the Stubai Glacier, which are resistant to any weather changes, allow tourists to ski on its tracks all year round. The altitude at which the resort areas of Neustift, Fulpmes and Meeders are located starts from 960 m, so the ski season here lasts from December to April.

The total area of ​​the resort is about 205 hectares, the total length of the trails is 108 km, of which:

• 13 blue tracks (for beginners) – 32 km;
• 7 red tracks (for an average level of training) – 25 km;
• 3 black tracks (for professionals) – 7 km.

The tracks passing through virgin snow have a length of about 36 km. The largest of them is 10 km long, and the height difference on it is 1,500 m. At an altitude of 3,332 m, the Ski Carousel track is located, which goes around the top of the Schaufelspitz mountain.

More relaxed slopes for family recreation are located at the Big Family Sky Camp ski club area. On the territory of the family camp there is a snow park, a kindergarten, a zoo, as well as a large slope Big Family Fun, which is suitable not only for children, but also for people aged 50+.

Tourists are lifted to different heights by 4 conveyor belts and 25 lifts:

• 10 bagels;
• 7 armchairs;
• 6 carriages;
• 2 gondolas.

In the valley of the glacier there are more than 6,000 different places for recreation, from five-star hotels to modest family farms away from noisy party places. The majority of visitors to the Stubaital Valley prefer to stay in the small, cozy town of Neustift. Big Family Stubai hotels are ideal for holidays with children. There is a special children’s menu, children’s chairs in the restaurant, colorful bed linen, interesting gifts for small visitors and a special game room in each hotel. In addition, some hotels offer their customers a free visit to the ski camp.

The schools of the Stubai resort area offer skiing and snowboarding lessons for children and adults.

In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, the Stubai resort can offer its guests other various entertainment. For example, hiking on special trails, night skiing with torches, winter freeride on mountain bikes, ice climbing and much more. The observation deck, located at an altitude of 3,210 m, which offers a wonderful view of the valleys of Tyrol, is still popular with tourists. In addition, it is interesting to visit the ice grotto with a length of about 200 m.

An exciting detective quest “In Search of Treasures” will be organized for visitors to the ice grotto

Stubaital Valley: satisfaction guaranteed

Height remains one of the important points when choosing a place to ski. It is at altitudes of more than 2,000 m above sea level that even in the most capricious winters, snow will remain snow, and not incomprehensible slush under skis.

One of such resorts that fully meets the specified requirements is the Stubai Valley. The entrance to the valley is only 15 km from the capital of Tyrol, the city of Innsbruck. Most likely, you can get here on the A13 autobahn, which leads to the Brenner pass, you just need to keep in mind that on the way you will have to pay a toll on the Europa bridge. The valley goes to the right of the autobahn immediately after the bridge and stretches for 35 kilometers deep into the Stubai Alps. There are 80 glaciers and 109 three-thousand-meter glaciers around, the highest and most famous of which is Mount Zuckerhütl with a height of 3,507 meters. The Stubai Glacier is located at the very end of a dead-end valley and is the largest glaciated skiing area in Austria, with a season from October to June. The total length of descents, if considered along the slope line, is 62 km (104 km of effective use of the length of the track), of which simple “blue” – 21 (36) km, medium difficulty “red” – 14 (25) km, difficult ” black “- 5 (9) km,

Actually, this is a combined descent – along route #7 along the Daunferner mountain, through the Gamsgarten “clearing” at an altitude of 2,620 m and further down, along the off-piste route #14 Wilde Grub’n. The resort administration considers this route difficult and strongly recommends using the services of an instructor or guide. In bad weather – the advice is very good, but who in bad weather decides to rush on Wilde Grub’n?

By the way, about the weather. Even in case of strong wind, the lifts on the glacier do not turn off. Here, the choice is yours – to freeze and ride, or to sit in the Eisgrat restaurant at an altitude of 2900 m, sipping a beer and watching the snow and fog drifting outside. By God, the second option is much better than the first – once, during my next ascent on the Eisjoch 6-chair rope, a gust of wind was so strong that it lifted the protective cap and unfolded the chair at 30 degrees. The feelings were very strong, but everything worked out. I was also surprised by the large number of children at Gamsgarten, in the children’s park, who were indifferent to both snow and wind. However, in addition to the BIG Family Ski-Camp with a children’s playground, as well as the BIG Family Boardercross snowboard cross track, there is a children’s restaurant and a kindergarten where the little ones can hide from the weather.

In addition to the longest descent, the Stubai Glacier skiing area also has the steepest track, which leads from Daunjoch, 1.8 (3.1) km long, with a maximum gradient of 60%. What is not a test for those who like to tickle their nerves?

All tracks on the Stubai Glacier are served by a total of 26 cable cars of almost all types, with a total capacity of 36,000 people per hour. However, despite the presence of two powerful parallel ropes at the bottom, there are often queues in the season to climb the glacier. But the glacier has an alternative – small ski centers scattered throughout the valley.

The main villages of the Stubai Valley where tourists prefer to settle are Neustift, Fulpmes, Telfes, Miders and Schönberg. The closest to the glacier is Neustift. He is the most famous and visited. Near Neustift there is a local skiing area Elfer, very small, which is perfect for those who came to Stubai with small children. The heights here are small – the cable cars, including one gondola and three cable cars, rise to 1,800 m above sea level. The main attractions of this village are the church of St. George – the second largest in the Austrian Tyrol and the farmer’s market, which is open every Friday.

Another popular town is Fulpmes and the Schlick2000 skiing region. It is larger and higher than Elfer: there are several tracks with a total length of 15 km, starting from a height of 2240 m, which can be reached with the help of three chair ropes, one gondola lift and a couple of cable cars. A very good alternative to the glacier – in case of severe frosts. And riding in the fog on the tracks passing through the spruce forest is much more comfortable than on the glacier fields. In addition to the groomed slopes, Schlik2000 has its own snow park SPS 2000. In addition, Fulpmes has two nice churches: the main church of St. Vitus and the church of St. Margarita in the nearby town of Medrac.

Since this year, Fulpmes has become even more attractive for tourists – it was here that the StuBay Aqua Center was built with a total area of ​​5,000 square meters, with a 25-meter swimming pool, water attractions and saunas in the indoor part, as well as a 400 square meter sports pool with temperature water 26 degrees and sports grounds – in an open area.

You can visit the StuBay aqua center from 9.50 euros for a 2-hour stay in the pool, to 25.50 euros for a whole day of relaxation both in the pool and in the sauna complex.

Another ski center of the Stubai Valley is located near the town of Meeders. Although it would probably be wrong to call it a ski resort – there is only one track here. The Serles center is more suitable for fans of cross-country skiing, located on a sunny plateau at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,600 m above sea level. In the town itself, you can go to the bowling alley and swim in the outdoor pool.

As soon as the first snow falls on the glacier, and until the end of the winter season, entertainment activities begin in the Stubai Valley. The atmosphere of fun on the Stubai Glacier is created by the skiing Oktoberfest, as well as the opening of the season with the festival “Moreboards Stubai Zoo Premiere” in the snow park. In addition, before the opening of the winter season, non-glacier resorts host traditional “Winteropening” events, as well as regular night shows in the Schlick 2000 skating area and near the Sonnenbergbahn lift in Meeders. You can test and rent sports equipment during the “SportScheck Gletscher Testival”, which takes place on the Stubai Glacier. Camps “SAAC Lawinencamps”, avalanche safety training “SPORT OKAY” and the camp “Powder Department Freeride Camp” on the glacier will be interesting for fans of off-piste skiing. Gourmets will be able to appreciate the evening of delicacies “Dine & Wine” on the glacier or buy homemade products at the regularly organized Neustift Farmers’ Market. Surprises await guests during the “Snow Holiday” of the BIG Family Club on the Stubai Glacier and at a children’s party with the mysterious character BIG Ron in the Schlick 2000 skating area.

Snow kingdom on the Stubai glacier

The ski season is already over and everyone is looking forward to summer. But for those who feel like they haven’t really skied this year, we have some advice. In the Austrian Alps, there are several glacier centers with an extended season or that are open all year round.

This time we are heading to the snow kingdom on the Stubai Glacier in the Tyrolean Alps. The resort is a 45-minute drive from Innsbruck. You will bypass Innsbruck on the south-eastern highway, as soon as the signs for Italy start to appear, turn to the Stubaital valley , where a toll gate awaits you (for travel), so prepare 3 euros or a credit card. Then you only have to walk along a pleasant valley through small tourist villages, and after a 30-minute drive you will find yourself at the lower station of the new 3S Eisgrat cable car, i.e. directly under the glacier. The possibility of parking, considering the many cars going up, seems unlimited. But there is no need to be afraid, the resort is well prepared for the onslaught of enthusiastic skiers, and people will disperse here.

The new 3S Eisgrat cable car, leading from the valley, is 4.7 km long and will take you from a height of 1,695 m to 2,900 m in just 11 minutes. One cabin will accommodate 24 people in their comfortable seats and 8 people standing at the same time. From the rear parking lot there is another classic cabin of the Gamsgarten cable car, the terminus of which is a little lower. There are large restaurants at the end stations of both cable cars.

Stubai Glacier Ski Resortis the largest glacier resort in Austria. There are 20 lifts (anchors, seats for two, six and eight people and cable car cabins). The complex is located on 5 glaciers, so it has incredible potential for further possible expansion. The surface of the glacier in places has an impressive width, and the narrow strips of ski slopes on them look almost comical. That’s why many people here go off the tracks and safely enjoy the freedom of movement also in the space near them. Because in these places you can also ski well, thanks to the natural snow (snow cannons are very rare here, only in the lower parts of the resort). In the resort, among the sharp peaks of the mountains, there are many kilometers of red and blue ski tracks. Judging by the map, there is also one black ski slope here, but this track is overrated. Thanks to the moderate slopes of the tracks, the complex is also suitable for families, even children under 10 years old do not need to buy any season tickets. The resort guarantees snow from October to June, prices for ski passes are stable throughout the season.

Above the upper station of the Schaufeljoch cable car is the impressive observation platform Top of Tyrol, which is a must-see. Metal steps and ski boots are not the best combination, but it is recommended. The site offers a view of the resort and distant surroundings from a height of 3210 m. The distinct peaks of the surrounding mountains in good weather bring many impressions. Directly below the site on the southern slope is the large Stubai Zoo snow park, which is full of large bridges and other opportunities for adrenaline junkies. In general, this complex is also suitable for freestyle fans, who will definitely like it here.

Enjoy great skiing in the spring too!