Innsbruck: From City To Slopes In 20 Minutes -
Innsbruck ‘The Capital of the Alps' is one of the only cities in the world to offer skiing on its doorstep; from the city center it's just a 20-minute ride on the state-of-the art funicular up to the Nordpark - Seegrube ski area (860-2260 metres).
Nordpark-Seegrube is comprised mostly of reds runs with a few blacks so is best suited to intermediate to advanced skiers. Expert skiers will also find one of the steepest ski runs in Europe with a gradient of 70 percent. The Seegrube Snow Park (Nitro Pro Skyline Park) has a 120-metre-long superpipe and a slopestyle course, both with spectacular views of the city below.
There are 18 big-name resorts within an hour's drive of the city, including the nine resorts of the Innsbruck Olympia SkiWorld (Nordpark-Seegrube, Patscherkofel, Axamer Lizum, Kuhtai, Muttereralm, Rangger Kopfl, Glungezer, Schlick 2000, and Stubai Glacier) as well as the surrounding resorts of Seefeld, Kitzbuehel, St. Anton am Arlberg, Ischgl, Solden, Zillertal Arena, Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Kaltenbach-Hochfugen, and Serfaus Fiss Ladis.
The nine resorts of the Innsbruck Olympia SkiWorld are served by the city's ski shuttle buses. Skiers can hop on and off the ski shuttles free of charge with a valid ski pass or Club Innsbruck Card (free with accommodation). The shuttles pick skiers up from the majority of hotels around the city between Dec. 12 2009 and April 4. 2010. Resorts outside the Olympia SkiWorld are easily accessed by hire car.
With the wealth of skiing on offer, don't forget to take a stroll around Innsbruck's charming old town. Here you will uncover a labyrinth of alleyways, medieval architecture and pastel-painted houses. Here you'll also find the city's most characteristic landmark - the Golden Roof - in the central plaza. This Gothic and Baroque structure was built by Archduke Friedrich IV in the early 15th century.
Other architectural highlights include the grand Imperial Palace dating back to 1460; the two-towered front of the Parish Cathedral Saint Jacob; the Hofkirche with its memorial for Emperor Maximilian I; and the Pilgrimage Church of St Peter's and St Paul's with its lavish murals. Innsbruck also offers a vibrant après ski scene with plenty of lively streets bars, restaurants, casinos, and clubs. Alternatively, soak up the cultural surroundings with an evening opera or theatre performance.
The city is linked by a comprehensive tram and bus network. A 24-hour ticket costs just €3.40. Another option is the Sightseer Bus, which is free with the Innsbruck Card. Innsbruck's main train station also offers bus connections to the nearby villages and South Tyrol.
Innsbruck is easily accessible by car, train or air. The A12 autobahn network connects the city from east to west. Innsbruck's geographical location in the centre of Europe means flying time is fast wherever your origin. Direct daily flights, including no frill airlines, link Innsbruck with numerous European capitals. U.S visitors can fly non-stop to Munich which is a two-hour drive or train ride from Innsbruck. Express trains and international trains link all major European cities.
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