You do have to look for it in this spring-like winter: Snow. On our first trip to Tyrol this year, it had not quite arrived yet, whereas this time, it was almost set to leave again in the 13°C sunshine we enjoyed. I am talking 13th of February here – right in the “middle of winter”, as you would say. So what is happening in the land of snow, the Austrian mountain republic?
“Up there at the Nordkette mountains, they will host an igloo party tonight. That’s what’s happening!”
My charming Tyrolean friend Bianca, who lives in Innsbruck, laughs while she stretches out into the pleasant, warm air on her deck terrace. So – an igloo party up at the mountainside! Sounds good right? “Ah, to be honest, I am just fed up talking about the weather. It is what it is?! Warm or cold enough for skiing it is, and the igloo party won’t melt away just yet.” She wears an irresistible grin, and we both laugh. I really enjoy spending some good old girlie time with her. A little later, we take the Hungerburgbahn mountain cable car high above the city of Innsbruck, its sprawled out houses huddling against the towering and protective mountain chain. What a beautiful sight. I am enjoying it each time I come to visit Innsbruck from the lowlands in the east of Austria.
Arrival in Innsbruck: Right at the beginning, we are met by an unusually warm and strong Föhn wind howling through the Inn valley, pushing the snow even further up the mountainside. The swans in this picture seem quite chilled-out about it, though.
Off we go for a first walk through the old town of Innsbruck …
… which, as we recommend, should be followed by a visit to 360° bar offering gorgeous views across the city of Innsbruck & surroundings.
At nighttime, it’s igloo snow party time – whoop whoop! I have never experienced anything quite like this – and really enjoy myself.
Our ski resort choice for the weekend is a place named “Muttereralm”. Only 10 minutes away from the city of Innsbruck, it offers great slopes for carving & boarding!
I love my board. Seriously, I do. High up at the slopes, carving in blissful powder snow. My moments of Flow. Full of endorphins. Serotonins. Just what they are called. 😉 And once I find my perfect slope – not too steep, not too flat – then I must go sliding, carving, rushing down. I love the feeling. It is irresistible. And you?
The advantage of the Muttereralm ski resort is that it offers a couple of really long slopes that despite many visitors never seem to be crowded enough for good carving & cruising fun. All the slopes we take are marked blue or red, comfy chair lifts or cable cars taking us back up the mountain. And oooh, the food at the hut. We could not resist. Would have bought enough for cooking back home. But then the waiters came round carrying amazing Kässpätzle & Kasspressknödel … (can you pronounce it yet? Or worse, resist them??). Nope.
Check this out. La pura vida!, no?
Hut life just how I LIKE it !! Counting calories is a total no-go in the fresh mountain air, after all we are exercising out here too. At least that’s what I keep telling myself since my teenage age 😀
If added to the good food are mountain vistas like these, then all you got to do is to be – and stay – happy. Our tip: The food here at the Muttereralm hut is served in generous, almost large portions, making for an excellent price value relationship.
Two happy winter girls: Thank you for the great days in Innsbruck, dear Bianca!
Skiing or snowboarding, you can enjoy wonderful views from the mountainside over the entire Inn valley and the city of Innsbruck.
Lots of families and young kiddies up here, too: Muttereralm is a good ski resort for families and beginners …
… a little resting in between on the chair lift …
… and digging in the beautiful Tyrolean Kaspressknödel. My eyes shut slightly, my mouth starts watering again when I pull up the memory of that moment, the tasty cheese, the mountain air, everything … Oh eating good food is simply DIVINE!
So how do I get there? The best and fastest way is by train. ÖBB Austrian Railways have put together a good offer …
… that is unbeatable, really. Let me tell you this: Since I can think, our winter & ski trips would always start with and end up in long car drives to and from the destination. Now, however, the super fast ÖBB Railjet is able to do St. Pölten (Lower Austria) – Innsbruck (Tyrol) in only 03:42 hours – punctual and very, very fast. Driving, there is no way you are going to make that distance in less than four hours, let alone more economically than the train. The “SparSchiene” offer starts at only € 24,- per person! We only decided rather late on taking this trip, so it was a little more expensive for us, but nevertheless. I think I will not go back to driving to Innsbruck. The train is just so much faster, cheaper and more comfortable!
Check out the comfort of the superfast Railjet ÖBB: I do not have a better recommendation for you to cover the distance between Vienna to Innsbruck, really.
Bye bye dear mountains … I will miss you. See you around next time (I hope)!