Blog
Categories
© Tirol Werbung / Rodler Ilvy
Food & Drink
© Bert Heinzelmeier
People
© Tirol Werbung / Aichner Bernhard
Arts & Culture
© Tirol Werbung / Moore Casey
Recommendations
© Tirol Werbung / Herbig Hans
Family
© Tirol Werbung / Schwarz Jens
Bits & Pieces
© Tirol Werbung / Neusser Peter
Sports
Jagdhausalmen Alpine Pastures, Defereggen, East Tirol, Austria, Europe
Specials

My Top 5 Ski Towns in Tirol

Updated on 22.01.2024 in Recommendations

Inneralpbach

As a passionate skier, I have my favourite ski resorts all across Tirol, depending on month and snow conditions. However, my favourites not only deliver the adventures that skiers want, but also have a certain small-town appeal, a sense of history, and the laid-back vibe that brought downhillers there in the first place. In short, I definitely value ski town ambience. To me, there needs to be a legit town with locals, restaurants, and jaw-dropping scenery doesn’t hurt. And of course, there’s the skiing. All of the spots on this list have more than just amazing skiing—they are about embracing a lifestyle. These are my 5 favourite spots in Tirol:

1. Kitzbühel
Why? The Alps’ premiere destination for celebrity skiers, Kitzbühel’s combination of world-class skiing, world-class hobnobbing and world-watch-out party spirit makes it an unbeatable winter destination. And did I mention it’s beautiful? Kitzbühel is a medieval town with cobble-stoned streets and a quaint cluster of high-end fashion boutiques, cafés and restaurants – for picture perfect you can’t get much better. I love strolling around the historic old town for top-notch window-shopping—and don’t miss a stop at Café Praxmair.

The Old Town of Kitzbühel with buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th century.The Old Town of Kitzbühel with buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th century.

2. St. Anton
Why? It’s got that old ski town charm: Ambling down the pedestrianized main street of St. Anton just makes you feel good. I love that place for its old world charm and modern-day amenities. There is an awesome local vibe of true diehard skiers here and amazing contemporary architecture. But the thing that separates St. Anton from the rest of Tirol’s grade-A mountains is that it has, rather impossibly, managed to retain all of its soul and heritage as the Birthplace of Alpine Skiing. This is ski town life at its best.

The first ski club was founded in St. Anton in 1901; in the 1930ies, famous ski films were shot here on Location.The first ski club was founded in St. Anton in 1901; in the 1930ies, famous ski films were shot here on Location.

3. Alpbach
Why? A tidy collection of dark wooden chalets with red and green painted shutters and the Alps as a stunning backdrop, Alpbach is easily the country’s most gorgeous ski town. The epitome of an idyllic chocolate box village, it’s everything you imagine a Tirol ski town to be. Situated on a sunny plateau, the style of architecture here is uniform—and the scene is serene. Ski vacationers in search of beauty and seclusion are never disappointed at Alpbach.

All buildings of Alpbach have to be furnished in timber – a scene little changed through the centuries.All buildings of Alpbach have to be furnished in timber – a scene little changed through the centuries.

4. Seefeld
Why? No best-of list would be complete without Seefeld. It has one of the best downtowns in the country, with a cosmopolitan allure and a commanding mountain setting. Ice-skaters and cross country skiers alongside fur-clad Italian ladies and downhill skiers all living large on the bustling and lively, walkable town center. Here the vibe is more sociable and chic, the scenery more sublime, the air crispier and cleaner. Ever-present, the awe-inspiring beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges captivates.

SeefeldSeefeld

5. Innsbruck
Why? Tirol’s lovely capital is the ski capital of ski country—and a sight to behold. Typically teeming with visitors from many continents, the historic downtown is a warren of sights and attractions, all surrounded by the jagged rock spires of Nordkette Range stabbing thousands of feet into the sky. It’s one of the few places on Earth where you can walk out of a hip upscale store and one block later bump into a skier or snowboarder on his way to Nordkette (seriously, keep an eye out, they’re all over the place on snow days). By the way: I still crane my neck to get a glimpse of the craggy peaks each day—a cosmopolitan place surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery—is there anything else you could possibly ask for?

View of Inn River Bridge at the gateway to Innsbruck’s historic old town.View of Inn River Bridge at the gateway to Innsbruck’s historic old town.

World traveller, lover of new experiences, and Tirol aficionado Eckard Speckbacher is out exploring the hidden attractions. He offers insight into places and destinations that are less well known, along with restaurant and hotel recommendations.

Last article from Eckard
Langlaufen_Seefeld_Tirol_0488
Updated on 19.02.2024 in Recommendations
Tips for a Day in Seefeld
6 min reading time
Kitzbuehel_2016_0099
Updated on 15.01.2024 in Recommendations
Tips for a Ski Day in Kitzbühel
5 min reading time
Updated on 12.05.2023 in Sports
Tirol Mountains: 10 Must-See Peaks
5 min reading time
Flower-filled meadow in the Hohe Tauern National Park, © Hohe Tauern National Park
Updated on 02.05.2023 in Bits & Pieces
Identifiying Alpine Wild Flowers in Tirol
5 min reading time
Kaunertal Valley has long been the playground of hip snowboarders—and this apartment serves as a stylish basecamp.
Updated on 20.01.2023 in Recommendations
10 Only-in-Tirol Places to Stay
4 min reading time
Frau Naschberger from Reith im Alpbachtal with a pair of her homemade "Doggln" slippers.
Updated on 12.12.2022 in Bits & Pieces
Great Gift Ideas – Top 16 Things to Buy in Tirol
8 min reading time
Goldenes Dachl.
, © Tirol Werbung / George Marshall
Updated on 10.06.2021 in Recommendations
What to see in Innsbruck
3 min reading time
Am Achensee
Updated on 31.01.2019 in Sports
My Top 5 Tirol bike routes for leisure cyclists
3 min reading time
Wildschoenau Oberau
Updated on 01.10.2018 in Food & Drink
Wildschönau Region: Awesome Places to Stay and Dine
7 min reading time
All articles from Eckard
1 comment available
Write comment

Keep reading

Go up

Is your inbox in need of a holiday?

Then subscribe to our weekly newsletter full of exclusive holiday tips from Tirol!