| Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol region has a rich skiing | | | | the tiles should either head to the nearby village of |
| pedigree, having twice hosted the winter Olympics in | | | | Axams, or back to base in Innsbruck. |
| 1964 and 1976. Innsbruck itself is not a ski resort; it's | | | | Though they are not linked together via a single lift |
| a city sat in the mountains that is surrounded by | | | | system, taken collectively, the Innsbruck area offers |
| eight smallish ski areas, most of which are less than | | | | over 200 trials covering over 300 miles of terrain, |
| an hour's drive away. | | | | most of which take less than an hour to reach from |
| The closest ski area to Innsbruck is Seegrube | | | | Innsbruck. It is possible to use public transport to |
| Nordkette, the slopes and lifts of which can be seen | | | | reach the ski areas, but as car hire in Austria is |
| from the city centre. The area offers some steep | | | | reasonably priced, you're better off getting your own |
| terrain (it claims to have one of the steepest pisted | | | | wheels, which enables you to be much more flexible |
| runs in Europe) and the large cable car will quickly | | | | about when and where you go. |
| whisk you up from 575m to 2255m in just a few | | | | The small, local nature of the ski areas means there |
| minutes. | | | | is a real rustic charm and a friendly hospitable |
| Axamer Lizum is one of the most renowned in the | | | | environment to the skiing here - something which has |
| area, approximately a 45 minute drive from | | | | been lost in the bigger and more famous mountain |
| Innsbruck. Though small, the terrain is steep and | | | | resorts of the world. Most of the ski areas are close |
| offers plenty of backcountry opportunities for the | | | | to small alpine villages, dotted with timber chalets, |
| adventurous. Especially ideal for freestyle skiers and | | | | which represent the traditional Alpine lifestyle that |
| snowboarders there is a terrain park with rails and a | | | | has changed very little over centuries. |
| half pipe. In terms of après ski, there's not a | | | | If you're looking for a ski-in, ski-out snow holiday, |
| lot going on in Axamer Lizum aside from a couple of | | | | don't bother with Innsbruck. But if you want a ski trip |
| small on-slope restaurants where a hearty platter of | | | | that offers the excitement and services of a city, |
| Wiener schnitzel can be devoured. There is also a | | | | with the variety and choice and authenticity of a |
| small tepee at the base of the slope serving | | | | number of small, local ski areas, then a road trip |
| steaming mugs of gluwein - an ideal way to round | | | | around the Innsbruck area is an ideal winter holiday. |
| off a day on the slopes. Those looking for a night on | | | | |