Where Snow Meets Sun – My Favourite Slopeside Patios in Tirol
1. Hohe Mut Alm, Obergurgl
I have to admit it: Although Hohe Mut Alm in Obergurgl has been among my favourite on-mountain restaurants for years, I only recently discovered their slopeside deck chairs beneath the huge outdoor patio. A perfect place to soak up the sun!
2. ice Q, Sölden
The mountain restaurant at the top of Gaislachkogl Mountain featured as a futurist private clinic in the Bond movie SPECTRE. I wonder if Daniel Craig had some time to catch the rays in the snow during filming here at Sölden Ski Resort? Bond would most certainly have approved.
View this post on Instagram *Anzeige Lunchtime at @iceq_soelden ?❄️ @soelden.official #Sölden #HotSpotderAlpen #SLDN #iceQ #fashionpost #fashioninspo #fashionlover A post shared by ᗪEᔕIᖇEE (@about.desiree) on Jan 17, 2019 at 1:26am PST
3. Feelgood Stops, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
The expansive Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Ski Resort boasts 19 slopeside Feelgood Stops for taking a break from the slopes. They have been set up at particularly beautiful spots throughout the ski resort and are wonderful to make the most of the sunshine in between runs.
4. Verwallstube, St. Anton
Verwallstube is the mountain restaurant where Princess Caroline of Monaco has lunch while skiing the vast Arlberg Ski Resort. Which comes as no surprise to me: Spectacular panoramic views from the beautiful outdoor patio are matched only by the food that is to die for (with executive chef Bernhard Neuhold’s fish soup as their specialty!), and the service is impeccable.
5. Videralp, Ischgl
In Ischgl, the mountains seem just that bit bigger, the skies seem just that bit bluer and the ski lodges that bit more inviting. My recommendation here goes to Videralp. Warm and cozy inside, the huge sun drenched patio boasts plenty of benches and deckchairs so put your skis aside and enjoy the afternoon!
6. Sonnbühel, Kitzbühel
Soak up the sun at Sonnbühel Mountain Inn – the name says it all: Translating to ‘sunny hill’, this the ideal sunny afternoon lunch spot at Kitzbühel Ski Resort.
7. Granatalm, Mayrhofen
Another hotspot at Mayrhofen Ski Resort is Granatalm, where the views are priceless and the food is exceptional. Their amazingly flavourful and crispy rotisserie chicken is a must try!
8. Kristallhütte, Hochzillertal
Kristall Hut is truly a unique spot to celebrate the day at Hochzillertal Ski Resort. Once I sit down on one of their coveted daybeds on the exterior expansive deck, I always find it hard to leave this sun trap whilst surrounded by the glorious vista…
9. Seegrube, Innsbruck
And last but not least my best-loved sunny spot in my hometown: Seegrube at Innsbruck Nordkette Ski Resort. At “Cloud 9” Igloo Bar you are really sitting in the front row seat in the Alps. Located on the sunny side, this ski in-ski out sun terrace is in goggle tan heaven and the ultimate location for a quick refresher drink or a relaxed afternoon of lounge music. Overlooking Innsbruck, glistening white glaciers and Inntal and Wipptal Valleys, you’ll be totally immersed in unforgettable panoramic views before riding the Nordkette gondolas back to town (which only takes 30 minutes).
Of course, Tirol’s ski resorts boast many more slopeside patios, which provide that coveted combination of great energy and sun exposure, within an easy stagger from the slopes. As half the fun of patio season is in the R&D – „research and discovery“ – I would love to hear your personal favourites!
Dazzling lights and beautiful cityscapes: Ines Mayerl loves the exciting, fast-paced big city life. But no matter how far she may travel, she always returns home to escape to the mountains, to discover stylish, new cafés in Innsbruck and to hit the slopes.
