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It’s no secret that Austria, which has hosted two Winter Olympics, is one of the world’s best destinations for skiing. However, Innsbruck probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of skiing in Austria, since it’s one of the country’s largest cities and the capital of the state of Tyrol. Yet, the Innsbruck region offers so much more than just the urban center. Dotting the surrounding mountains, towns, and valleys are stunning landscapes, world-class ski resorts, and extraordinary adventures that are unique to the region. What’s more, the SKI plus CITY Pass, which connects Innsbruck to several renowned nearby ski destinations, makes it easy for travelers to experience the best of both the city and the region’s ski resorts. Let our guide show you how to pair a one-of-a-kind Austrian ski trip with a vibrant urban getaway.
Get to Know the Innsbruck Region
Innsbruck, which is surrounded by towering mountains, is considered by some as the “Capital of the Alps.” It makes for a unique alpine-urban landscape like no other city. One moment you could be walking the historic cobblestone streets of the Old Town, admiring the iconic Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), and moments later be overlooking the city from Austria’s largest nature park, Karwendel, accessible by cable car right from the city center. You’ll find a little bit of it all in Innsbruck: Colorful houses that line the river, historic architecture that dates back hundreds of years, incredible museums and galleries, and an abundance of great restaurants and cafes.
But while most people think of the city itself when they think of Innsbruck, the region is home to 40 towns and villages that are full of unique adventures, especially during the winter. Go ice skating at Baggersee Lake or skate under the dome in Telfs at the Ice Sport Arena. Speed down the exciting toboggan runs at Rangger Köpfl or Kühtai, or for a slower pace, strap on snowshoes to experience the serene winter wonderland of Sellrain Valley. As night falls, ride the cable car up to the Seegrube for a one-of-a-kind alpine dining experience above the glittering lights of the Inn Valley—or spend the night at Kühtai’s extraordinary igloo village, a hotel, restaurant, and bar sculpted entirely from ice and snow. These are just a few of the unforgettable winter adventures that await in the Innsbruck region.
The SKI Plus CITY Pass Is the Best of Both Worlds
For skiers and riders visiting the Innsbruck region, there’s no better way to experience both the city and the nearby ski resorts than with the SKI plus CITY Pass. This unique pass bundles access to 12 ski areas with 23 additional attractions in and around Innsbruck. It’s built for travelers who want the best of both worlds—urban culture and alpine adventure—all in one trip.
The skiing access of the pass covers everything from beginner-friendly slopes at Patscherkofel and Rangger Köpfl to family-friendly terrain at Kühtai and Muttereralm. It also includes freeride playgrounds like Axamer Lizum’s Golden Roofpark and the snow-guaranteed Stubai Glacier with its 40 miles (65 kilometers) of slopes. Navigating between the ski resorts and Innsbruck is part of the package, too. The SKI plus CITY Pass includes travel on the buses that run to all 12 ski areas, as well as access to the hop-on hop-off Sightseer bus that makes stops at Innsbruck’s top attractions.
Beyond the snow, the SKI plus CITY Pass opens the door to 23 urban experiences across the city of Innsbruck. Those include access to the Golden Roof Museum, City Tower, Hofburg Imperial Palace, Tirol Panorama Museum, Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium, and a one-off admission to the StuBay indoor pool facility, which is the perfect way to unwind after a day of skiing. Whether you want to explore Innsbruck’s history, dig into local culture, or just want a change of pace after a day on the slopes, the pass makes the city just as accessible and fun as the mountains.
Indy Pass Holders Enjoy Added Benefits
The SKI plus CITY Pass network is a major benefit for Indy Pass holders traveling to Austria. Passholders receive two total days of skiing, which can be redeemed across any of the 12 resorts in the Innsbruck region. To use the benefit, head to the Innsbruck Tourist Office at Burggraben or the ticket window of any participating resort (with the exception of Nordkette). When you process your first day, you’ll be issued two lift tickets to use on consecutive days. Along with access to the slopes, passholders gain the full suite of perks, including regional ski buses, local transit, and discounts to many of the area’s cultural attractions.
Plan Your Trip
- Getting to Innsbruck. Innsbruck Airport (INN), located just minutes from the city center, is the largest airport in Western Austria. While this is the easiest and most direct way to get there, the city is also well connected by rail, with many European train routes stopping in Innsbruck.
- Getting around. Innsbruck is a very walkable city. It’s also easy to get around by bike, bus, or train. As previously mentioned, the SKI plus CITY pass includes travel on ski buses that run to all 12 ski areas and access to the hop-on hop-off Sightseer bus.
- Where to purchase the SKI plus CITY pass. The SKI plus CITY Pass is available for purchase from ticket offices at participating lifts and cable cars, as well as distribution partners like local hotels. Prices vary depending on age and how many days you plan to use the pass. Find out more and see prices here.
Hero image: Skifahren Kühtai | Skiing Kühtai| © Innsbruck Tourismus / Eye5 – Jonas Schwarzwälder
August 15, 2026
