News: The Peak

A summer holiday in the Ötztal has a lot to offer. But the following things should be on every list:

AREA 47:

Here surfers' hearts beat faster, tumble over obstacles or chill in a deck chair with a mountain view. But the wakeboard lake is only the beginning of Area 47, because it continues with a huge outdoor pool with fun things like blobbing air cushions, water slides, diving boards and various climbing possibilities. You can also book guided canyoning & rafting tours or visit the airy high ropes climbing garden under the motorway bridge. As we all know, life begins at the end of the comfort zone, and Area 47 is the place to push the limits.

PIBURGER SEE:

There are actually quite a few mountain lakes in the Ötztal, but only one in which the warm water temperatures invite you to swim extensively: Lake Piburg. Its water temperatures rise to up to 26 degrees in summer. It is located in the middle of a landscape conservation area above Oetz and has also made a name for itself on Instagram in recent years.

STUIBENFALL IN UMHAUSEN:

An all-natural air-conditioning facility is the Stuibenfall near Umhausen. With a drop of 159m, it is the highest waterfall in Tyrol. The finely atomised water drops provide cooling on hot summer days and have been scientifically proven to have a positive effect on health. You can either hike to the waterfall via a total of 728 steps over a platform system or seek direct rock contact on the via ferrata. The via ferrata is perfectly suitable for beginners and, thanks to additional steps and handholds, can be used by children as young as 10. Absolute highlight: the airy suspension bridge over the waterfall.

AQUA DOME LÄNGENFELD:

Whether it's the Ötztal herb infusion in the gorge sauna or the salt peeling in the steam bath - here you can really take a deep breath. A special eye-catcher: the three outdoor bowl pools from which you can enjoy the view of the mountains.

JAMES BOND IN SÖLDEN:

True 007 fans can enjoy a very special exhibition with original pieces from the Bond films at the top station of the Gaislachkogl at 3040m above sea level. The multimedia installation "007 ELEMENTS" shows scenes from Spectre as well as parts from the other 24 Bond films. It is even one of the few authorised Bond exhibitions worldwide! A must-see for film fans and anyone who wants to change their perspective.

Don't miss it: the ice Q restaurant next door was also a setting in Spectre and has been awarded two toques. 

TIMMELSJOCH HIGH ALPINE ROAD:

The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road leads over the 2509m high pass from Tyrol to the Passeier Valley in South Tyrol. It is not unusual to drive past metres of snow even in July. Along the way, a stop at the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum and the architecturally outstanding information stations is recommended. (The motorbike museum was completely destroyed by a major fire in January 2021. The private collection fell victim to the flames. The twin brothers Alban and Attila Scheiber are busy rebuilding. The plan is to open in autumn 2021).

MOUNTAINEERING VILLAGE VENT:

If you need a little more distance from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you've come to exactly the right place with your hiking boots. Alpine hikers, pleasure hikers, alpine hikers and art hikers - in Vent there is something for everyone. Wait a minute, art hikers? These are all those who hike along the art hiking trail to the beautiful, old Rofen farms. Along the way there are several stone sculptures from the ARTeVENT international sculpture symposium to marvel at.

Since last weekend we are finally back and have opened the Bike Republic Sölden for you.

17 natural trails, 11 well-maintained, sustainably built lines and signposted enduro routes are waiting to be ridden by our bikers again. The Bike Republic Sölden is more than just a bike park, it is the flowiest nation in the Alps. And everyone is welcome: whether trail beginner or enduro pro, touring rider or freerider. 

The spirit is peaceful, flowing and imbued with biking fun, and the infrastructure is simply exemplary: from the Bergbahnen Sölden, which provide the perfect uphill assistance, to the two pump tracks in the valley, from the bike wash to the bike shops and bike hotels. Until the beginning of October, these things will be at your disposal again and will hopefully experience a fitting farewell on the 1st weekend.

Did you already know? There is now more in your Ötztal holiday!

We are happy to provide you with the Ötztal Inside Guide, your personal travel companion for the Ötztal, at check-in. It offers everything you need for a top-organised, relaxed holiday - free of charge & conveniently on your smartphone. Whether activities and events during the travel period, bookable adventure offers, digital guest cards and tickets and much more. Already included is your Ötztal Inside Card with many attractive benefits such as backstage visits to regional producers, discounts on tickets, tours and courses as well as the unbeatable low-cost alpine safety upgrade. In addition, from the end of May to the beginning of October you can enjoy the premium upgrade included with us: with the Ötztal Inside Summer Card, from the second day of your stay you can also use all the summer highlights of the valley such as mountain railways, swimming pools, museums, leisure facilities, public transport and much more.

You can find more information at www.oetztal.com/inside.

On June 10, the time has finally come again and we can welcome you to our valley of 250 three-thousand-meter peaks and its 1,600 km of hiking trails and climbs for your summer vacation.

Those who prefer to explore the diversity (and 5 climate levels) of the Ötztal on two wheels can look forward to around 850 kilometers of mountain bike tours - as well as the new valley-wide bike path.

And with the Ötztal Inside Summer Card, which is included with us, you can expect numerous partially free benefits to make your vacation as relaxed as possible.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you with us.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Kaiserschmarrn is undisputedly one of the most popular desserts in Tyrol. Enjoying a delicious Kaiserschmarrn on a ski day is almost part of the tradition of a winter holiday. So that you don't have to do without this delicious dessert at home, here is a recipe for you to try out:

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
• a little milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 dash rum
• butter
• sultanas
• 1 tbsp sugar

For the topping:

• Plum roaster
• Icing sugar

Preparation

Mix the flour, vanilla sugar, milk and a pinch of salt with a whisk. Add 3 whole eggs to the smooth batter and add a dash of rum. Heat the butter in the pan, add the batter and top with sultanas. Cover the pan with a lid and fry the Schmarrn on both sides.

Break up the Schmarrn, sprinkle with sugar and let it caramelise slightly. Arrange the Kaiserschmarrn in the pan with the plum toast and icing sugar and serve.

In the current situation, announcements unfortunately do not always hold. Nevertheless, we would like to give you a preview of the planned opening dates.

April:
• Ötztal Cycle Path & Via Ferrata
• Ötztal Museums
• 07.04. AQUA DOME (if legally permitted)
• 30.04. AREA 47

May:
• Ötzi village and bird of prey park
• 21./22.05. Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road

June:
• 03.06. Mountain railways Hochoetz - Acherkogelbahn
• 19.06. Vent mountain railways
• 25.06. Gurgl mountain railways

July:
• 04.07. Bergbahnen Hochoetz - Ochsengartenbahn

Bye, bye cold winter days! Let the view of green mountain meadows warm you up. Instead of a sultry beach climate, fresh mountain air, exciting experiences and exercise in the great outdoors await you in Sölden. This summer with a special upgrade: Our Ötztal Inside Summer Card includes even more leisure offers and price advantages.

Ötztal Inside Summer Card - free mountain railways, admission to bathing lakes, AREA47 and Co.

Curious about the nation of bikers? The BIKE REPUBLIC SÖLDEN opens at the beginning of June. Natural trails and shaped lines in all levels of difficulty await you. Not only for pros. Families and beginners will also enjoy them: Warm up in the pump track and try your first tours with your bike guide.

To the Bike Republic

Temperatures up to +10 degrees, a closed snow cover and pure sunshine. The high winter in the Ötztal could not be more beautiful this week.

These days are perfect for exploring beautiful ski tours in the Ötztal Alps.

One of the most beautiful and widely visible tours is in the area of Obergurgl on the Schalfkogel (3,537 m).

A difficult and racy ski peak with a wonderful steep descent directly to the Gurgler Ferner.

The starting point is the Langtalereckhütte, from where you first descend into a deeply snow-covered gorge.

At the end, you reach the beginning of the Gurgler Ferner from where it goes up over the Kleinleitenferner to the summit of the Schalfkogel from where you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Dolomites, Zillertal, Ötztal, Stubai peaks, the Bernina group, etc.

To the other worthwhile ski tour destinations - ski tours in the Ötztal valley

Winter in the Ötztal has much more to offer than skiing and cross-country skiing. Winter hiking is at the top of the list of winter activities away from the ski resorts. Hike in the sun and only hear the soft crunching of the snow under your shoe soles. Breathe in the fresh, cool air and enjoy the day in the untouched winter landscape. Always with the snow-covered mountain peaks and the Kaiserschmarrn in the next mountain hut in mind. 

The Ötztal has 250 kilometres of winter hiking trails to offer, stretching from Haiming to Obergurgl - Hochgurgl and Vent.

Let yourself be surprised by the winter hiking possibilities during your next winter holiday with us and as a little insider tip, we can highly recommend the winter hiking trail from Untergurgl to Obergurgl all the way to the Zirmwald.

If you are looking for a day's rest and relaxation from skiing, the quiet side of Sölden with the Stallwiesalm is also a worthwhile destination in winter.

As one of the most rustic alpine pastures in the Ötztal with the additional feature of afternoon sun, the Stallwies' (1,850 m), as the Ötztalers call their alp, is a destination for the whole year.

That means: for every single day, because the Stallwies is open almost all year round. Locals also like to make a detour to the Stallwies. The house is already 350 years old.

This hiking route is a rewarding mountain hike in the Ötztal Alps in Tyrol.

From the Freizeit Arena Sölden it goes along the Granbichlstraße (Granbichl district) to the Windachtal valley. The forest road leads through sparse coniferous forest and with every meter of altitude the views of the opposite mountain range of the Geigenkamm become more exciting.

Gradually the forest thins out and opens up onto a wide alpine meadow with old huts made of dark wood. The one with the beautiful sun terrace is the Stallwies.

In winter you can go downhill on a sledge, which can be rented at the alpine hut or you can go back on foot.

From the coming 2020/21 winter season, there will be a new price system for the Sölden ski area. The online prices for the ski passes are no longer fixed, as was previously the case, but depend on the date of purchase and demand.

The new dynamic pricing model offers attractive prices (up to -20%) and rewards those who secure the desired ski passes early in advance in the online ticket shop.

By Christoph Berger-Schauer - https://www.lines-mag.at/fernar-trail-soelden/

Anyone who likes to ride alpine trails will have a hard time in Austria. Rarely are the fine trails high up in the mountains MTB tracks, you are fast in a grey area. If there's anything, it's usually a track suitable for the masses. Sölden now has a delicacy in its programme, Fernar Trail, which could advance to the top ranking of all technical trail riders.

The start is usually very impressive in Sölden: at 2,800 metres above sea level at the Tiefenbach glacier. This means that the Fernar Trail even trumps the Ollweite Line in terms of altitude. First of all: you should be a good cyclist and like technical riding when you start the trail after the Rosie-Mittermaier-Tunnel. Otherwise it will be a very, very long way down.

More than 900 meters of altitude difference in blocked terrain have to be conquered. Lots of rock, scree, narrow curves (some of them to move) and - at the latest when you cross the small bridge over the Petznerbach - a scenery to kneel down. Whoever complains that there is too much hype on Teäre Line & Co should look here. This is where the bike chaff separates from the biker wheat and you notice: slow, precise cycling in rough terrain is not good for many. But those who can and like it will feel immensely comfortable here. It's the kind of trail where you move at about the same speed as the hikers.

All photos (c) Rudi Wyhlidal