If the thought of firing a rifle, upscale fine dining, wearing a tuxedo, and having your vodka martinis‘ shaken, not stirred has you humming the James Bond Theme Song… these winter adventures in the mountains of Tirol may channel the inner Bond in you. Have you got what it takes to be James Bond?
1. Line Up a Target: Biathlon
This will get your heart racing. Secret agents always hit the bullseye, though. And they know how to ski fast and shoot straight: Biathlon is the only sport that involves ski wax and bullets. In “Spectre”, the new James Bond Film, not only bullets are flying but explosions are echoing throughout the otherwise peaceful village of Obertilliach, East Tirol. (Photo: Tirol Werbung)
And finally, he jumps off a cliff face, releasing a snowkite to float him to safety… No matter what physical challenge presents itself to Bond—he bosses it every single time. Snowkiting will elevate your winter experience to all new heights. All you need is the wind, a snowkite, skis or snowboard, and an attitude for fun! (Photo: Snowkite Achensee)
Be the type of man who can woo a lady in minutes: What better idea for a romantic date than to sled under the stars? Your gorgeous Bond girl holds on tight as you both whiz down the mountain on a sled at the speed of light. The world’s most famous spy himself would be surprised of how much fun you may have zooming down an illuminated track at night. (Photo: TVB Stubai Tirol/Andre Schönherr)
4. Terrain Parks – The Secret Training Facility For Aspiring Secret Agents
Analyse, encrypt, and uncover intelligence data at the secret training facility for aspiring secret agents, Tirol’s awesome terrain parks. Up and coming freestylers and seasoned experts alike are using secret codes like “Cork 7”, “Rodeo” or “Switch 540 Japan”. Probably the only man capable of deciphering these codes is named Bond. James Bond. (Photo: Michael Gams)
There are on-mountain places in Tirol that have just the right amount of style to accommodate James (and whoever he might like to bring back to his suite). Plan to spend some bucks and enjoy a romantic dinner at the fine dining restaurant before going to sleep. You’ll find mountaintop lodging to be an unforgettable and unique experience and, yes, even an adventure. (Photo: Wedelhütte)
Ice caves that are visited by large numbers of people are perfect spots for an international secret agent, with lots of covert little chambers of ice for Bond to retreat to. By the way, murder happens very rarely here as ice preserves bodies just a little too well. The most famous example is ‘Oetzi, the Ice Man’. (Photo: Michael Gams)
Although it has been proven time and again that Bond will drink anywhere, when in Tirol, he should opt for somewhere sophisticated to get sloshed—somewhere like the beautiful Igloo Bar. Your drink will stay cold down to the last sip and you’ll have things under control. We’re not saying that downing a martini will make you smart and stylish like Bond, but hey—it couldn’t hurt. (Photo: Michael Gams)
It takes a certain calibre of man to bring James Bond to life. If 007 finds himself stranded in the wilderness with no means of transport, he harnesses those four-legged creatures that are commonly referred to as “man’s best friend.” The world’s greatest super-spy swaps fast cars for sled dogs with a breeze. And he looks good while doing it. (Photo: TVB Pillerseetal)
9. Chasing the Vision of James Bond at the Winter Festival Erl
As a man of the world, Bond does not look out of place in the world’s most exclusive opera houses, or sitting behind the wheel of a flashy motor. Imagine trying to get lost in the escapist world of espionage at the superb state-of-the-art Festival House—whose darkly gleaming façade suggests secrets, or a tyrannical villain, are hidden within. (Photo: Tiroler Festspiele Erl / Peter Kitzbichler)
The ice Q mountaintop restaurant, a shadow ice-cube of a building with walls of sheer glass, was used for filming Spectre. Tucking into multiple courses of exquisite, surprising cuisine in the midst of the magnificent Alps, you will wonder if Daniel Craig has had one heck of a dining experience here, too. As is compulsory in any snowbound Bond setting, there are snowmobiles. (Photo: Ötztal Tourismus / Rudi Wyhlidal)
Spectacular buildings can be found atop Tirol’s highest mountains—visit these 12 buildings and be Bond for the day.
When he is not working, Michael Gams is out exploring this beautiful country, hiking, mountain biking, freeriding and ski touring to the most beautiful spots in Tirol.
Tirol's huts are already hard at work preparing for the summer season 2022. We have put together a list of places which open in late spring or early summer to welcome walkers, hikers and mountain bikers. Scroll down to find out more.
"Our Spa is Nature Itself": The Alpengasthof Praxmar
7 min reading time
Luis Melmer and his family run the Alpengasthof Praxmar, a stately mountain guesthouse located in the Lüsenstal Valley south of Innsbruck. Far from the noise and stress of the city, it is an alpine haven where people come to get away from it all.
The Healing Power of Water: Tirol’s Best Kneipp Water Therapy Facilities
6 min reading time
There’s much more to water than just drinking it. From finding sleep to waking up, from skin tightening to stimulating circulation – Sebastian Kneipp, father of modern hydrotherapy, has created over hundred useful techniques to combat a variety of diseases and blemishes: hydrotherapy can have refreshing, soothing, calming and harmonizing effects. Here we have rounded up Tirol’s best Kneipp water therapy facilities.
Final Fling: Ten Tips for Stag and Hen Dos in Tirol
5 min reading time
One last night of partying with your friends – that is what stag nights and hen dos are all about. Located in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Tirol is a great destination for all kinds of fun, action and adventure. Check out our tips for the ultimate final fling before tying the knot.
Sure, skiing is a big part of winter here in Tirol. But I also like to try other winter activities away from the pistes with my kids. Here are a few ideas on what to see and do on holiday beyond the ski slopes.
Never heard of “Karrinne” and “Kofel”? Well, neither had I before moving to Innsbruck a few years ago. I have explored Innsbruck’s ski resorts for one day, so here’s everything you need to know about getting your ski fix in Tirol’s capital. Including a solid bet for a quick in-and-out powder mission.
Our reporter has spent her life avoiding the cold. While others head out into the mountains, she prefers to cuddle up at home with a good book and a hot water bottle. Now the time has finally come to try something new and leave that famous comfort zone behind. But can you really learn to love to cold?
Kartitsch: Stress-Free Winter Walking in East Tirol
10 min reading time
Winter sports are all about thrills, spills and adrenaline, right? Wrong. Wolfgang Westermeier and friends headed to Kartitsch in East Tirol for a weekend of winter walking. Far from the bright lights and loud music of many ski resorts, they rediscovered winter in its most authentic and original form.
What is old, what is new? What is foreign, what is familiar? It's all a question of perspective. Seldom do we stop and marvel at the things we have grown up with – landscapes, traditions, buildings. To rediscover the fascination of the familiar, what we need is a fresh pair of eyes. We invited a photographer to Tirol to capture on camera a place he had never seen before. Could his view of the region change the way we see our home?
Think of Kitzbühel and you conjure up ski pioneers, cat-suited ski racers and designer and fur-clad celebrities. A legend in its own right, Kitzbühel is the playground of the Rich and Famous, set against a backdrop of jagged and rugged mountains. It is where majestic mountain scenery can mean anything from glorious peaks to beautiful people and larger-than-life characters.
