Cross Country Skiing and Winter Walking in Austria
Trip Details
- Location: Tyrol, Leutasch Valley, Austria
- Length: 8 days
- Grade: beginner to expert; skating and classic
- Accommodations: Hotel
- Group size: 5 – 12
- Dates: February 21 – 28, 2010
- Land Cost (US$): $2,495
Skiing and Hiking Trip Summary
Situated just northwest of Innsbruck on the German-Bavarian border, the beautiful Austrian village of Obern in the Leutasch Valley will be our base for this 8-day tour. The Leutasch valley, surrounded by the beautiful Wetterstein and Karwendal Mountains and dominated by Hohe Munde of the Mieminger range is one of the premier cross-country ski areas in all of Europe. Host to cross country ski events for both the ‘56 and ‘76 Winter Olympic Games, the valley now embraces 262 kilometers of groomed and tracked ski trails for both skating and classic. There are also 143 kilometers of walking trails, which are groomed and maintained for winter use, making this a fantastic area for non-skiers or walkers as well.
This tranquil winter setting of classic Tyrolean farmhouses, rich forests and beautiful alpine scenery blanketed with snow, is an idyllic location for a cross-country ski vacation. Beginners will be very content with the long open stretches of flat terrain, intermediates will enjoy the nearby gentle hills, and experts will find plenty of challenge including the nearby 25-kilometer Olympic Loop. Whether we ski down through the fairytale-like woods and meadows of the Gaistal Valley, along the broad and pastoral Leutascher Ache, or through the Hochmoos hills to the Olympic resort town of Seefeld, you will be stunned by the mountain scenery and the endless skiing opportunities. Located all along the trails are cafes and restaurants where you can relax, watch the others skiers go by, have a strudel and an excellent cup of coffee, or a cup of gluewein, a warm spiced wine popular with the Austrians!
The Leutaschtal is unique in that it is primarily for cross-country skiing. With only one ski lift for downhill skiers, the valley remains rural, peaceful and quiet.
At the end of the day we will return to the hotel located right near the ski trail. This family-run, 4-star hotel offers all the amenities to ensure a great trip. After a day of skiing, relaxing in the sauna or solarium can thaw out chilled bones and soothe sore muscles. The hotel makes each guest feel welcome and offers genuine hospitality in a relaxed, friendly manner that makes it hard to leave at the end of our stay.
Itinerary
Day 1: Independent travel to the hotel in Leutasch, about 30 minutes by train or taxi from the Innsbruck Airport. Welcome dinner.
- One morning during the week there will be an opportunity for a short clinic or mini lesson. Each evening we will discuss options for the next day. We will offer a morning and an afternoon guided ski, or an all-day route where we stop for lunch at a restaurant or enjoy a picnic along the trail. There are numerous ski loops in and around the area. Those listed below are just a few of the many options we may ski as a group, or you may choose to ski on your own or with others. It is often possible to use the bus to shorten your ski and return to the hotel, or just stop at one of the many outdoor decks and take in the view!
Day 2: For those who are renting equipment, we begin skiing from the nearby village of Weidach. Heading northeast from Weidach, we follow the stream of Leutascher Ache as it meanders its way through the Unterleutasch. Passing through broad snow-covered fields guarded by mural decorated farmhouses, then edging the valley through rich woodlands, we finally emerge at Gasthof Zur Brucke for lunch. Here we can enjoy a hot bowl of Goulash soup or a slice of warm apple strudel. We then cross to the other side of the valley and loop our way back home.
Day 3: Leaving the hotel heading back in the direction of Weidach, we will be skiing through the hamlets of the Leutasch Valley; Klamm, Obern, Kirkplatzl, and Plaik. In the afternoon, we can explore the woods of the Bichlwald trail as we ski near the base of the towering Hohe Munde(8,800’), which dominates this end of the valley.
Day 4: Free/Rest day. This is an opportunity to rest sore muscles, venture into Innsbruck, or maybe take advantage of some of the downhill skiing possibilities in the area.
Day 5: A more challenging ski will take us up the Gaistal Valley to the Gaistal Alm (conditions permitting). Though an uphill climb on the way there, the return is quite easy, as we glide back downhill to our hotel in time for our evening sleigh ride and Austrian buffet.
Day 6: Today we will head in the direction of Seefeld, skiing through Moos, Muggenmoos, Wildmoos, and the rich forests of the Hochmoos. Moos is German for moss, it is what kept the Leutasch Valley from being as developed as the valley near Seefeld, which had better farmland and more grazing area for the cows. After stopping for lunch at the Wildmoosalm restaurant, we can return to Leutasch by way of the Lottensee, or wind our way down into Seefeld to explore its cobblestone streets, window shop, or stop for an afternoon strudel at one of its many cafes. Then we are able to transfer back to Obern by bus.
Day 7: Skiing the Katzenloch Loipe (cross country ski trail), which brings us out to the high plateau above the Inn Valley, this run takes us though open meadows, by lively cafes and through the forests, back to the open valley of Obern.
Day 8: The trip will end at the hotel on the morning of the last day.
Non-Skiers: As well as excellent skiing for all abilities, there is a huge network of packed, easy and moderate walking trails. These trails often run parallel to the ski runs as well as wind though the woods. They, too, are well marked. For traction, they put down stones and sawdust. For best results, we have found that walkers use walking sticks and special ice traction cleats worn over boots. These special cleats can be purchased in the village. Note, though, that the walking options will not always be guided.
Note: Not all these options will be guided or offered due to weather, time or ability. The options and descriptions above are not a complete representation of the area. They merely help to describe what this great area has to offer. Again, the area is expertly groomed and marked and participants, regardless of ability, will be able to fully enjoy the valley.
Weather Note: The weather can be very fickle. Though we always have enough snow to ski on most all of the trails, please be prepared for some walking if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate and/or for a change in the daily itinerary.
Additional Information
Included
All accommodations with private bath, all buffet breakfasts, soup and dessert at lunch time as served at the hotel, all dinners, buses and trains included in guided ski options, ski pass, ski map, guides, great skiing, great memories!
Not Included
Air fare, transfer to or from the hotel on the first and last days, ski rentals and equipment, race fees if any, lunches other than what is served at the hotel, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to leaders/guides, items of personal nature.
Ski Rentals
Ski rentals are available and easily arranged. The additional cost is about $15 – $20 per day.
Luggage
This is a hotel-based trip. You are welcome to bring your own skis. Even though you will only need to carry a small day pack during the day, we recommend that you keep your luggage to a size that you can easily manage yourself, especially if you intend to bring skis.
Accommodations and Facilities
For this trip, we will be staying at a very comfortable hotel located at a quiet end of the Leutasch Valley in a small hamlet called Obern. The rooms are double occupancy with private baths. In the hotel, there is a small lounge area, a bar and a pleasant dining room. There is a sauna and indoor pool. The hotel is right on the entry point to several ski trails. Breakfast buffet and dinners are served at the hotel each night.
Travel
We recommend you fly directly into Innsbruck, which is only 30 minutes by train or taxi from the hotel in Leutasch. Munich is another choice for an arrival and departure city. This airport is about 3 hours away by train. There are also airport shuttles that run from the Munich and Innsbruck airports to Leutasch. Before buying your ticket please call us for more detailed travel information.
Who would like this trip?
This is one of our favorite trips. It’s a great trip for those looking for an active, but relaxing European winter vacation. The Leutasch valley is an almost fairytale-like setting with broad open snow covered fields dotted with small hamlets and old-world chalets. The area offers a variety of activities that appeal to wide range of ages and abilities, including cross country skiing, winter walking, sledding, and downhill skiing .
What makes this trip different
The mountain resort areas of Seefeld and Leutasch Austria offer the an amazingly extensive network of cross country ski, winter walker and rodel (sled) trails. The Alps take on a whole different feel in the winter when the mountains and villages are blanketed in snow. Taking part in an active European style winter vacation is wonderfully exhilarating yet peaceful, and worth experiencing.
Meeting point
Trip members will be on their own to get to our hotel in Leutasch. We will meet as a group at 6:30 pm at the hotel on day 1.
Ending Point
The trip will end at the hotel with breakfast on the last day.
For a more detailed itinerary that includes elevation gains, loss and distance, or to register please call.
