Cross country skiing in Austria

Austria is home to world class downhill ski resorts but speeding down the slopes is not the be all and end all of skiing vacations; and there are hundreds of cross country skiing tracks here if you prefer your winter vacations a little lower key. The Tyrol region, where our cross country ski vacations take place, is particularly well endowed when it comes to traditional mountain scenes, with snow dusted pine forests, towering mountains and fairytale villages all putting in an appearance.

Cross country skiing vacations are based out of traditional towns and villages, offering a more authentic slice of Alpine life, far away from the bling and crowds of manufactured ski resorts. And while you’ll be safe from the après ski crowd, it doesn’t mean it’s a hassle to get there. You can touch down in Innsbruck and be mountainside in just over an hour. Small group trips that include tuition and guides are the way to get the most from the mountains, learn a new skill and stay safe, and you’ll have a tour leader who’ll choose routes and activities according to conditions and forecasts.

You’ll be based in Achenkirch in Austria’s Tyrol region staying in a rustic, traditional hotel by the side of Achen Lake, in the Achen Valley, with wonderful views over the surrounding mountains. It’s a local institution when it comes to cross country skiing, and has been in business since 1875 – unsurprising given that there are more than 200km of cross country skiing tracks in and around the valley, with Achenkirch loipe (track) found directly opposite the hotel.

The joy of a cross country skiing vacation in Austria is that you won’t be stuck in a crowded, anonymous resort, but staying in a quiet mountain village at the heart of the Tyrol, so it’s a great opportunity to experience true Tyrolean hospitality. This includes heavy, calorie laden food, which is fine because you’ll be burning it all off on the trails. Favourite dishes include Tiroler Gröstl, made of roasted potatoes; speck and onions topped off with a fried egg; and Kasspatzen – soft egg noodles or dumplings covered in cheese and baked. When you return from outdoor adventures, cake, hot chocolate and boozy drinks are usually on offer, too.

The best time to go cross country skiing in Austria is from January to early March. At this time, here’s snow already on the ground and more can fall at any time, so there’s no need to rely on resorts that manufacture the fake stuff. Average daytime temperatures in the Tyrol at this time are around -5°C, with around eight to 10 hours of daylight and some periods of bright, sunny weather.