Winter in Tirol begins with bells, banging and bizarre beings roaming the streets. Every year at the start of December, the devilish “Krampus” strikes fear into the heart of children. This centuries-old tradition is today more popular than ever.

Making your own Advent wreath in the run-up to Christmas is a dearly held tradition in many Tirolean families – including mine. Every year my grandfather would go into the forest to collect branches from the bushy green fir trees and then weave them together into a wreath which would take pride of place at home. He passed on this tradition to my mother, who has been making Advent wreaths for all the family for as many years as I can remember. Last weekend I had a go for the first time at making my own wreath – under the watchful eye of my mother, of course! I think it turned out pretty well. Scroll down to judge for yourself. All I have to do now is buy four candles and wait for the first Sunday of Advent to arrive.

With 3,400 kilometers of ski runs, Tirol has some serious mileage on offer. Skiing and snowboarding come in many forms, and though every Tirol ski resort offers an amazing variety of terrain, each has its own flavour. If you fancy setting yourself a challenge or adding to your ski bucket list, check out these five runs below. Here, we uncover the steepest, the deepest, the longest, the most famous and the one that went down in history.

Everyone knows the feeling of burning thighs or tight back muscles at the end of a long ski day. Aches and pains such as these can put a downer on an otherwise enjoyable skiing experience. That is why it is important to get fit for skiing before you hit the slopes. This will not only make skiing more fun but also increase your performance on the piste and help prevent injuries.Christoph Ebenbichler, fitness coach at the Olympic Centre in Innsbruck, has put together the most important exercises to get you fit for skiing.

I am pretty discerning when it comes to hotels… How about you? How fortunate that Tirol boasts a great number of characterful places to stay for that true home-away-from-home feeling. Here I present the cream of the crop, farmstays with a difference: While they offer the pleasures of a beautiful old house, they also cater to our increased demands with upscale amenities and attitude.

Here in Tirol, as in many other places, November isn't exactly famous for its great weather. However, that makes it the ideal time of year to be indoors, out of the wind and rain, and enjoy a little peace and quiet before things get crazy in the run-up to Christmas. Here are some of our tips for spa breaks, concert experiences and museum visits in November.

“There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.” said Sylvia Plath, one of the most renowned and influential poets, novelists, and short story writers of the 20th century.

Winter time is sauna time! I'm not one of those fanatics who goes three times a week, but when the temperatures begin to drop and the snow falls there really is nothing quite like a steamy sauna to relax mind, body and soul. Here are a few of my favourite saunas and spas in Tirol.

What do murders, apples and bicycles have in common? The answer can be found in October, the all-rounder month. The Tirol Crime Fiction Festival brings together the stars of the crime writing scene, while harvest festivals taking place across the region give both visitors and locals alike the chance to sample some of the finest produce from Tirol. After all that hearty food, it is high time for a little outdoor activity – and the mild month of October provides the perfect conditions to enjoy some late-season sport before winter arrives.

Innsbruck is a great place to eat out. I have put together a list of my favourite restaurants both in the city and in the surrounding area where visitors are sure to find something to their taste. I have personally tested every eatery on the list – it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it! Let me know in the comments down below if you agree with my opinion. Bon appétit, or as we say here in Tirol: Mahlzeit!