. ski travel : Stubai Valley: more than just skiing fun - 02 November 2012 - 13:34
Relaxing, tobogganing, paragliding, cross-country skiing and amazement at high altitude
Stubai Valley, 2012/2013: The Stubai valley is known for its sports and action-packed winter holidays, as well as for its skiing opportunities. If you are looking for something different, those in the know will tell you that the area offers other sporting activities, as well as lots of hidden idyllic and quiet corners: whether snowshoeing in the magical winter wonderland, tobogganing on 60 km tracks or paragliding over the snow-capped mountains. Besides 150 km of ski runs, the Stubai valley also offers numerous highlights. A secret tip: TOP OF TYROL is a summit platform located 3,210 m high on the Stubai glacier with a panoramic view of 109 peaks higher than three thousand metres.
Climb comfortably and descend speedily in Tyrol's biggest tobogganing arena
There are a total of 60 km of toboggan runs in the Stubai valley, with eleven routes in all degrees of difficulty- including four floodlit runs - for the finest tobogganing experience. Enough to tempt the most avid of skiers. Admittedly, 60 km of toboggan runs are nothing much in comparison to 150 km of tracks, but fun is guaranteed in Tyrol's largest tobogganing arena. Feel the cold wind on your face as you speed down the valley. What could be more wonderful than that? Actually, just one thing: the culinary delicacies offered in the idyllic huts. There you will be lured by hearty Speckknödel (Tyrolean bacon dumplings), delicious snacks, Kaiserschmarrn and other local specialties.
You can go up on foot or by cable car. If you prefer the more comfortable option, the Neustift gondolas will pick you up from the Elfer Lift, the Serles cable cars from Mieders and the Schlick 2000 gondola will await you at Fulpmes. The toboggan runs at Serles, the Elfer Lift and Schlick are romantically lit at night. During the day, wonderful walking trails will lure you through idyllic woods. The Gleins toboggan run in Schoenberg is open permanently, day and night.
The ruggedly romantic Oberbergtal is worth a visit for tobogganing: Auffangalm and Brandstattalm offer sledgers an easy route through beautiful scenery. Take a tip from us and visit Maria Waldrast, where the cultivated monastery will offer you a four kilometre stretch, illuminated throughout the night, with a view of the Wipp valley.
Snowshoeing - the wonders of nature
With snowshoes on your feet, hiking will be an unforgettable experience. Since your weight is spread over a bigger surface, your feet sink less in the snow. Snowshoers reach quiet and unspoilt places where they would normally sink down to their waists in snow. Trail in the snow, or better said, tracks, tell stories of the woods. The footprints of a mouse may suddenly stop. Was it caught by an eagle or did it vanish into its burrow? The paw marks of a hare are accompanied by signs of a playful hunting pursuit. Snowshoe hikers experience nature in a way that only ski tourers would enjoy. The only difference is that one of them aims to reach the peak and the other aims to enjoy the track. The nice thing about snowshoeing is that anyone can do it. Those who have little experience can join a tour and be shown spectacular places by qualified guides.
Cross-country skiing - following a track
This activity inspires winter sports fans of all ages, especially in the Stubai valley. The 130 km of cross-country ski trails in all levels of difficulty offer an all-round muscle work-out. This sport is all about enjoying the meditative effect of cross-country skiing, whilst doing something good for your health and enjoying the beauty of nature. The highlight of the Valley is the 45 km-long high-altitude trail that goes around the Serles at a height of 1,600 to 1,800 metres. Another skating trail ideal for high-altitude training can be found at the Stubai glacier in the Gamsgarten region. Even the Neustift valley trail, with a length of 56 kilometres including variants, is worth trying out and should be long enough. Those who are not yet familiar with the sport can borrow the cross-country equipment on-site. But be careful: guaranteed healthy addiction.
Paragliding - following the footsteps of the kings of the skies
Only eagles, the kings of the sky can fly so high, if not a little higher. Packed in thick layers of clothing, you will fly over the glittering winter world. The Stubai is known among paragliders far beyond the country's borders. Snowy mountain scenery, perfect thermals and good flight conditions are ideal for beginners and professionals alike. Take a tandem flight as a gift or holiday highlight and enjoy a pleasure flight over the majestic mountains of the Stubai Alps. Tandem flyers and professional paragliders, take advantage of the good conditions and fly almost daily from the mountain station of the Elfer Lift and Schlick 2000. The best flyers of the valley meet yearly during the Stubai Cup and fill the sky with colourful canopies.
Ice climbing - vertical tracks
The special discipline of alpine climbing requires a head for heights and a little coolness. Ice climbers can find a total of 12 locations in the Stubai where they can climb up frozen waters. Whether on the 20-metre high climbing tower at the mountain station of Gamsgarten at the Stubai Glacier or on the natural ice falls of the Grawa or the Pinnistal waterfalls, if you feel a certain tingling in your fingers when thinking about climbing the blue-frozen ice, you should definitely apply for an introductory course, held every Friday at the Stubai Glacier from 1 pm. The use of the ice climbing tower is free of charge; however, you need to know the proper safety techniques. Opening times: Middle December until the end of March.
Much more to do besides sport
Of course, the Stubai valley is a Mecca for sport lovers, on and off the perfectly laid trails. However, anyone wishing to get away from sports for a day is also in the right place. In particular, families with children will find that they are in the best hands. After all, in 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Stubai valley was awarded with the ADAC Skiguide Award as the TOP family ski area in the Alps, even away from the ski slopes.
You can experience the greatest happiness on earth saddled on a horse or sitting on a horse carriage. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered in Neustift/Milders through 88 km of specially cleared winter hiking trails extending throughout the Stubai valley, into snow-covered forests and past idyllic mountain pastures. Gliding over the ice at the skating spots in Fulpmes and Neustift and Schönberg is an experience that you should not miss. Swimming enthusiasts can swim in the Leisure Centre in Neustift and relax with the different wellness packages that the Valley has to offer. In the wild animal park in Neder you can observe tamed deer and roe deer at close quarters and with some luck even stroke them. Besides offering sporting opportunities, the climbing hall in Fulpmes, open from 4 pm to 10 pm., is also a pleasure for families with children. Family climbing is available every Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Of course, the Stubai valley also offers plenty of discreet nightlife opportunities.
THE STUBAI VALLEY – the most beautiful valley in the Alps
The Stubai Valley in the Tyrol is located only twenty minutes from the state capital of Innsbruck and is easily reached from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy via the Brenner motorway. The Stubai Valley is 35 km long and surrounded by 80 glaciers and 109 three-thousand-metre mountain peaks; its five main centres are Neustift, Fulpmes, Telfes, Mieders and Schönberg.
Stubai offers everything needed by children and adults for perfect ski enjoyment – this was the conclusion of the ADAC SkiGuide 2012 who awarded the Stubai Valley the title of “most family friendly ski area in the Alps” for the third time. The Stubai Glacier, Austria's largest glacier area which was voted top in the “snow safety” category by the online portal www.snow-online.de, offers 110 piste kilometres of ski enjoyment and snow safety from October to June. Optimally prepared pistes also await holidaymakers in the Schlick 2000 Ski Centre in Fulpmes, at the Serlesbahnen family ski area near Mieders and the Elferbergbahn in Neustift.
The Stubai Tirol tourist board gives information about current offers, dates and events on the website www.stubai.at. An online accommodation search helps you to find suitable lodgings for your holiday. You can also request information by telephone: +43 (0)501881-0 or via email at info@stubai.at. Stubai Touristik would be delighted to assist you in booking package deals, tel: +43(0)501881-171 or 172 and via email at stubaitouristik@stubai.at.
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