After a long winter of skiing, spring is a time to take things a little easier. A morning on the slopes is followed by a lazy lunch in the sunshine before it’s time to retire to a deckchair and work on that tan in the afternoon.
Tirol is home to many towns, from the sizeable Kufstein and Schwaz to tiny Rattenberg (population 459, Austria’s smallest town). When it comes to cities, Innsbruck is the big daddy with a population of around 130,000 and numerous cultural attractions.
As the temperatures rise, it’s time to get those hiking boots out of the cellar to head out and explore. Swap the gym for the great outdoors this spring and discover the pleasure of spring walking and hiking in the fresh mountain air.
Many ski resorts in Tirol hold large concerts at the end of the season featuring international artists who rock the mountains under the warm spring sun. Not to be missed!
Spring is a wonderful time of year to get out on your road bike and explore. There are few feelings quite as good as whizzing along with the wind in your hair as the warm spring sun beats down and you enjoy the views of the snow-capped peaks in the distance.
There are plenty of huts in Tirol which open in spring, especially those located further down in the valley where the snow melts by April or May. A great place to experience a traditional meal and a traditionally warm welcome!
Figln – hard to pronounce but easy to do. This spring-only sport involves skiing off-piste in soft snow on super-short skis which make turning (and falling!) easier. A classic sport that has been practised here in Tirol for hundreds of years.
Everyone talks about Tirol’s 3,000-metre mountains, but what about their smaller cousins – the 1,000-metre mountains? Spring is a particularly good time of year to give these peaks a visit and enjoy the experience of standing atop a snow-free summit in April or May.
Tirol is home to many long-distance cycle routes taking riders of all ages and fitness levels into the heart of the mountains – a great way to experience the landscape at a slower pace.
Between February and early May, the Brentenjoch mountain near Kufstein is covered in a sea of snow roses. A must for all nature lovers visiting the region in spring.
Spring offers a wonderfully diverse range of options – up in the mountains it is still winter, while down in the valley you can swap your jacket for a T-shirt. This means you can choose your own personal preference when it comes to destinations. If you want to continue the ski season then the glacier ski resorts and some other ski resorts open until Easter offer plenty of good conditions on the slopes. Families with children may want to book a ski course for kids while down in the valley there are plenty of days out and activities for youngsters. For couples we have city breaks and romantic accommodation.
The best spring activities in the valley include easy walks in the sun and relaxing bike rides.
The best spring activities in the mountains include glacier skiing as well as skiing in other resorts further down which are nevertheless open until spring – ideal for skiing in the morning followed by sunbathing in the afternoon.
You should definitely visit a closing concert in the ski resorts in spring. At the end of the season, many ski resorts organise large concerts on the slopes which can be attended free of charge with a valid ski ticket.
In Tirol's towns large and small, an Easter market is a must in spring. Around the Easter markets with their typical Tirolean products and handicrafts there are usually also all kinds of open-air concerts and culinary delicacies to sample.
Check out our event calendar for a list of all events going on in Tirol this spring.
The weather in Tirol in spring can be pretty much anything, depending on how high up you are. In March, it can still be below zero in the evenings and early mornings in the valley, while the thermometer then climbs to around 10° C during the day. In May, it is often up to 20° C in the valley during the day. Nevertheless, it cools down more in the mountains at night than in the lowlands. So even for a holiday in the valley with good weather prospects, you should definitely pack a warm jacket. You can check the current weather in Tirol here.
Snow roses are probably the most well-known flowers announcing the arrival of spring. On the Brentenjoch mountain above the town of Kufstein they bloom from February until early May. This walk gives visitors a great opportunity to see this wonderful natural spectacle. A further botanical highlight are the crocuses which can be found in huge numbers on a walk through the Gschlößtal Valley or the Ködnitztal Valley.
Yes. In fact, skiing and snowboarding are some of our favourite spring activities. The Tirolean glaciers offer excellent conditions on the pistes well into spring.
Spring is a time for getting out and exploring. Here are some of our favourite sights and activities:
Click here for a list of the top 15 things to see and do in Tirol.
Our best spring walks lead through beautifully sunny areas such as the Pfundser Tschey, Leutasch and the crocus-filled meadows of the Ködnitztal Valley at the foot of Austria’s highest mountain, the Großglockner. Ambitious walkers and hikers can head up to one of the huts open in spring or climb the summit of a snow-free mountain over 1,000 metres in altitude. When it comes to cycling, we recommend staying down in the warm valley and making the most of our best cycle routes.
