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The Austrian Tyrol region is the perfect destination for anyone seeking to combine skiing with hearty food and myriad outdoor activities, all set against a backdrop of spectacular, untouched alpine beauty.
For those looking to visit in the winter, it boasts over 80 ski areas, with options for every level of ability and age, as well as a number of winter festivals and events. In the summer, you get the best of both worlds, as countless trails for hiking and mountain-biking are open to those seeking some brisk exercise in the great outdoors, while the high altitude and glacier setting of some of the ski resorts make longer seasons (and even year-round skiing) an enticing option. Whatever the season, the scenery is jaw-droppingly beautiful and the food and culture endlessly fascinating.
The Austrian part of Tyrol is made up of 5 main regions: Außerfern, Oberland and Unterland, Innsbruck, and East Tirol. Its permanent population sits at around 750,000, with its largest city, Innsbruck, home to around 150,000 people.
Tyrol’s 12,650 square kilometres are mostly uninhabitable due to the unforgiving terrain, while over a quarter of the province is given over to a nature reserve.
The everyday language is German, although in the tourist areas you will find a high proficiency of English.
Although the climate is alpine, and very chilly in winter, a combination of low air pollution and high altitude can mean that one can burn easily – so pack sunscreen!
Ski season traditionally begins in December. However, there are some resorts that bring the opening forward a few weeks. The season ends around Easter time, although the resorts at higher altitudes often stay open into May.
There are a number of events that take place to mark the opening and closing of the ski season, as well as music events, such as Snowbomber in Mayrhofen and the unmissable GauderFest in Zell am Ziller.
If you want to make the most of hiking the lakes and valleys or to take part in other summer outdoor activities, then May-October is the time to visit. Early Autumn also sees the harvest and a number of traditional events centred around the descent of the cattle from the high pastures to the valleys, which are worth catching.
The main airport into Tyrol is Innsbruck. Flights into Innsbruck can be purchased from a number of airlines, with routes out of several UK cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, as well many others throughout Europe, including Dublin (requiring a stop in the UK) and Frankfurt.
Those flying from US cities such as New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago and LA will need to transfer in order to reach Innsbruck.
Another option would be to fly into one of the other nearby airports, such as Salzburg or Munich and then take a connecting train, bus or car, so as to enjoy the spectacular scenery on offer. A train journey from either Munich or Salzburg to Innsbruck would take around 2.5 hours. Those travelling from Munich might choose the slightly slower but more scenic route via Garmisch-Partenkirchen in order to take in some breath-taking vistas along the way.
Moving around in the Tyrol region can be a little tricky, given the topographical challenges you might face. Cable cars – many of which are used in ski resorts – make up a network that is used to ferry people between the towns. There are also local intercity buses and trains, but by far the most efficient and liberating way to travel is with a hire car. Just be aware that in Winter some of the routes may be closed – so always check with an up-to-date journey-planner before setting off.
Otzi the iceman, the famous 3000-year-old preserved mummy, was found in the ice in Tyrol’s Otzal Alps, on the border between Austria and Italy.
Tyrol has over 600 3000m+ peaks.
Scenes from the Bond movie Spectre were filmed near Sölden in Tyrol.
If someone buys a round of drinks in Tyrol then it is polite to wait for that person to drink first.
A special beer is brewed every year for the GauderFest folk festival in the Zillertal Valley, with a staggering 7.8% alcohol content – that’s one way to get the party started!
The famous ‘Arlberg technique’ which revolutionised ski instruction first introduced in… wait for it… Arlberg, Tyrol in the 1920s by Hannes Schneider, who these days is regarded as the father of modern skiing.
