Austria is a land-locked country located in Central Europe. It has nine provinces and is also home to the beautiful Alps. In addition, the country is blessed with many forests, valleys, lakes and rivers that are just waiting to be explored.

While Austria sees maximum tourists during winter who come here to ski and take part in other winter sports, it is also considered to be a year-round travel destination.

If you are planning a visit to the country, you should know what to expect in terms of weather and climate. The country has four distinct seasons, namely spring, summer, autumn and winter. The summers are warm but it can get cool at nights. It usually rains during this time but the showers last for a short while. The winters are sunny and nearly every year it snows covering the mountains and the cities in a white carpet. The winters are quite cold, but certain parts of the country have warm dry winds. Make sure you carry appropriate clothing for the season.

Austria is a haven for those who love old architecture and culture. It is home to Stephansdom, or Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Goldene Dachl in Innsbruck, Melk Abbey and Loos Haus. It is also the country that gave the world composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss Jr., Johann Strauss Sr., and Johannes Brahms.

Because of the mountainous terrain, the most popular activities in the country are skiing in winter and hiking. There are many resorts that are located on the foothills of the Alps that cater to the visiting skiing community. There are ample opportunities for cross country skiing across the country. Austria has thousands of kilometers of hiking trails and you can use them to explore the Alps. You are bound to be taken up by the panoramic views as you hike.

Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe rich in history and culture. The population of Austria is over 8 million who reside in an area covering 88,872 square kilometers. As with the most of modern day Europe, Austria’s currency is the Euro. Its capital is Vienna and has around 1.7 million inhabitants, other well popular tourist destinations for visitors include Salzburg and the various ski resorts.

Vienna has a rich history of culture and architecture which is guaranteed to keep visitors intrigued for their entire vacation. Whilst staying in a Vienna bed and breakfast accommodation, visitors can encroach into the city and explore its architectural genius which boasts a wide variety of styles and influences such as classicist and art nouveau with a nice blend of modern buildings. Vienna is also a hub for its long standing tradition in the fields of music, theater and opera, the Burgtheater is in particular a great attraction for theater lovers. Vienna is also well known for its opera houses where classical concerts take place throughout the year, it really is a privilege to attend one of these spectacular concerts. Many flamboyant Viennese balls take place in the city; in particular the State Opera building hosts the official annual ball. Vienna also has numerous museums for visitors to enjoy, devoting themselves to fine art, architecture, culture, music or even individuals. Staying in a Vienna apartment rental building in the heart of the city is a big advantage for tourists.

Salzburg is another beautiful Austrian city boasting some of the best examples of baroque architecture in the world. It is well known for its stunning setting as it is overlooked by the towering Alps. Throughout the city there are cultural, historical and architectural sights to visit, not to mention the variety of museums and interesting locations. Salzburg bed and breakfast accommodations make visitors feel at home in this fantastic city.

If sight seeing and city vacations are not your thing, don’t worry as Austria has some of Europe’s best ski resorts. Thousands of tourists every year take to the slopes and stay in nearby locations such as Zell am See. This aspect of Austria gives them a whole new look and two sides to a great country. Zell am See cabin rentals and Zell am See bed and breakfast accommodations make you feel at home so you can get on and enjoy your skiing.

Austria is a great European destination that is particularly popular during the winter months. If you love skiing and other winter sports you will find plenty to keep you occupied. There is also a lot more to be found in the country than just snow. Here are a few of the best places to visit in Austria.

Vienna is one of the most visited cities in Europe and most visitors fall in love with the place. It is situated on the river Danube and all around the city is the most beautiful Wachau region and the Vienna woods. The city is packed with historical buildings and museums. It has been the birth place of some important figures including Sigmund Freud and even Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Innsbruck is most popular during the winter months, but it also attracts many people during the summer months as well. It was the host of the winter Olympics twice, and is due to host the first youth winter Olympics in 2012. Tourism is the most important source of income for the locals and it has been their charm and friendliness that has been a big reason why so many people keeping on returning here for holidays. The city itself is full of attractive buildings.

Salzburg is known as the city of churches, and is the fourth largest urban area in Austria. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and this was the home of Mozart. The city is located in the middle of the Alpine region. If you have seen the film The Sound of Music then quite a few of the scenes took part in this city. It is no surprise because this is a city that will pull at your heart strings because of its beauty.

Eisriesenwelt Caves is located about 40 km away from Salzburg and here you will see a natural limestone ice cave. This is actually the largest ice cave in the world, and is 42 km in length. The cave is only open between May and October and you are not allowed to take photographs inside. The trip around the caves takes over an hour and be sure to dress warmly because it gets cold.

Graz in another UNESCO world heritage site and is also a university city. It is considered the cultural capital of Europe in 2003 and for this reason alone it is worth a visit. As you can imagine with it being a cultural capital there are plenty of artistic delights to be had. The old town has over a 1,000 historical buildings and if you bring your camera you are sure to soon have a sore clicking finger. The city has been influenced by many of the surrounding culture so you will see Italian, Balkan, and central Europe influences.

Grossglockner Alpine Road is a journey that will completely take your breath away, and this is a road used by 50 million people each year as they admire the spectacular view available.

A lot of courageous sportsmen get on with their snowboards in full action. The best places for skiing in Austria come out to be in the regions of St Christoph, Zurs, Lech and also St Anton. Various beautiful resorts present there include Gosau, Lingenau, Oetz, Langenfeld, Imst and many more. Another destination for skiing is also Alberg circus specially made for ski vacations. Alberg and St Anton are very popular and famous not only in Austria but all over the globe.

These destinations are always ready to provide a thrilling adventure to all the skiers. These are liked a lot by almost every snow boarder present there. Not only do these provide fun to skiers but are very well known for their boutiques and wonderful cafes. These boutiques and cafes are entertaining to all during the day time. Not only this, the St Anton works during the night as well. It has wonderful discos which are open till late nights. Austria does not lack behind in providing you with some relaxation.

If going out in full flow for a lot of fun is not your choice then you can choose St Christoph, a destination close to a very entertaining St Anton. The relaxing in St Christoph is pleasant mostly because it is located above the sea levels and that to as high as 1800 metres. It is well known for this feature it exhibits. If you are just a beginner in skiing then Austria does not leave you far too. A famous destination Lech supports all the Austria’s ski resorts and it is especially for beginners and the ones at intermediate level. The open slopes in this region are as big as 180 kilo meters and tended pistes grab away 260 kilometers. We can surely say the Lech provides a huge variety for everyone.

A grand opening ceremony is held at this place indicating the start of the very famous ski season in the whole of Austria. The other destination famous in Austria during the ski season is Zurs. Here the whole season of ski is filled with a lot of enthusiastic firework, a lot of music and great fun. The one specialty left of the famous Alberg circus for ski in Austria is the variety of tastes this place provides for every type of athlete present in Austria. It fulfills to all the needs of everyone from the very beginners to professionals. It has various routes leading from cross-country for all the treks and snowboarders in addition to the general and regular skiing stretches present downhill.

Thus everything and the great importance of skiing in Austria and the fun of celebrating this here can be noted by knowing that Austria ranks second in this great sport. The skiing crowd has evidently increased in Austria and now the country is one of the world’s most popular and in a mass of fashionable European ski destinations. In addition, other highly attractive ski resorts of Austria include Biberwier, Ehrwald-Zugspitz, Mieders-Stubaital, Langenfeld, Lermoos-Zugspitz, Mutters, Imst, Brixen im Thale, Axamer-Lizum, St Leonhard, Gosau and many, many more.

Majestic castles and tiny wooden houses nestle among the hills, forests and peaks grayed by the snow, quiet towns and picturesque villages scattered at the bottom of the Alps. This is Austria, a country with spectacular scenery, as a description of Roman fairy atmosphere, with one of the oldest cultures and civilizations of Europe. Vienna, capital of the country, means Schubert, Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven and last but not least waltzes, which consist of hundreds of years of Viennese atmosphere.

Above all it Vienna means history, a real open air museum and above all a place of overwhelming brilliance, a city of gardens and squares. You will find here parks full of green and the first zoo in the world, but also many art galleries and monuments registered on the UNESCO heritage, architectural jewels. Austria is one of the favorite european destinations for holidays, being a perfect host for the many tourists coming here.

Country’s capital Vienna, a city filled with history, is one of the favorite destinations for art and culture lovers, which fed spiritually countless artists, musicians and poets. Here unfolds numerous music festivals and first week of the beginning of each year, is organized the famous balls of Vienna where only those who know the steps of waltz have acess. A walk along the splendid boulevards of Vienna will open a window to the old monarchy of Habsburg. You will see Otto Wagner Post Office Building, Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna State Opera, Imperial Palace, Museum of Art and Natural History, Parliament, the Burg Theater, the University and the Exchange building.

At Karlsplatz you are surrounded by trees, birds and colorful flowers to delight your senses and you can not notice the Viennese spirituality that is present at St. Stephen Church, a true architectural gem. The first road you’ll have to take in Vienna is through the Schonbrunn Palace, built as a replica of the Palace of Versailles and the most beautiful baroque palace in Europe, under UNESCO heritage. Schonbrunn is hosting the first zoo in the world, but also many art galleries. If you want to visit the Prater, Vienna’s logo or just want to enjoy the city with the view from 200 feet high, it is best to get in the huge Wheel, where you’ll enjoy a real satisfaction and feel that you really are in Vienna.

This is one of the most visited points of Vienna’s attractions being open all year round. But the city’s charm lies not only in matters related to the past. It is a place in step with time, where if you don’t feel like going to a concert at the opera, you can choose to go to a punk concert or to take a stroll in the wonderful city park.

Not only Gothic churches and Baroque buildings in Vienna are famous, but also Viennese coffee houses with a long history, famous for their distinction and of course the delicious apple strudel, chocolate cakes and last but not least for the Mozart candies. After an overview of the main tourist attraction, you can relax in an extended shopping tour in a variety of stores and shopping centers.

Austria is renowned also for its many ski areas and winter sports, providing facilities for both professionals and beginners. Extended trails, perfectly prepared, both for professional skiers and for beginners, modern cable installations, Apres Ski bars with an unforgettable atmosphere, are just some of dozens of reasons why Austria is considered a true Mecca of skiers.

And if you do not like skiing you can always opt for a sleigh ride, a snow-mobile race, snowboarding, skating, hockey and even ice climbing walls, both for beginners and for advanced. Also to be mentioned is the Salzburg ski region and especially the Europe-Sportregion, with resorts such Zell am See and Kaprun and well known Kitzsteinhorn peak. In Carinthia you can choose between a holiday in Nassfeld Sonnenalpe, or at Bad Kleinkirchheim to the Mölltaler glacier or to Heiligenblut.

In Styria you’ll find famous ski regions such Schladming and Dachstein-Tauern, where numerous international competitions are organized, but also quiet resorts located to the base of the slopes and equipped with ultramodern spas. Between Arlberg and Kitzbühel in Tirol, known as the Heart of the Alps, you can find the renowned resorts Kitzbühel, Lech, Zürs si St. Anton.

Austria is a place for all mountain lovers, regardless of age or nationality: families, groups of friends, athletes or lovers, offering services for all tastes. Ski and snowboard schools offer courses with different degrees of complexity at reasonable rates, and the teachers are young and communicative but also very good professionals. Children have great chance to learn to ski in a pleasant way, almost playing. After hours spent on the trail, you can enjoy a glass of mulled wine in Apres Ski bars, or you can choose to spend the evening at one of the restaurants, cafes, pubs or bars, in each resort.

Whether you want to delight your senses enjoying the culinary delights of traditional Austrian cuisine, whether you want to spend the summer in the mountains in a beautiful natural environment, or to enjoy the ski slopes in winter Austria awaits you.

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Are you planning to make a trip to Europe soon? If so, here are just five of dozens of great reasons to visit Austria, a country overflowing with culture and spectacular scenery.

1. The Capital of Classical Music

Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, Beethoven – these are just some of the famous classical composers who were born or lived in Austria, particularly Vienna, which is why it comes as no surprise that Vienna has earned the designation of being the world’s Capital of Classical Music. Here, you can listen to their compositions played by one of the world’s best orchestras, the Vienna Philharmonic, the same orchestra they once collaborated with, or easily watch a world-class opera.

Aside from Vienna’s concert halls, you can also listen to classical music while watching the Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School perform dressage at one of the halls of the Hofburg Palace when you visit Austria, or attend mass at its medieval chapel on a Sunday to hear the angelic voices of the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir. There are many classical music festivals all over Austria, too, like the Mozart Festival in Salzburg, the Bregenz Festival and the Schubert Festival in Voralberg.

Indeed, you won’t find a shortage of classical music in Vienna or anywhere in Austria when you come visit. You can hear other types of music, though, especially if you attend one of the sparkling balls held during the months of January and February. These months are considered Austria’s ball season so dress up, put on your dancing shoes and have a ball. Don’t worry about having to go home at midnight since the balls last until dawn and don’t fret, too, if you don’t know how to dance. There is no shortage of dancing schools in Austria, either. After all, Austria is not just the cradle of classical music, but also the birthplace of the waltz.

2. The Austrian Alps

Austria also has its share of natural attractions, mainly the Austrian Alps. Located in upper Austria, this sparkling mountain range offers breathtaking views of diverse natural landscapes from snow-capped mountains to sweeping valleys and glittering lakes, and is also a great spot for various sports and recreational activities such as hiking, hang-gliding, cycling and kayaking in summer and skiing in winter. There are also many charming villages you can visit where you can learn yodelling from the locals, and don’t forget to make a stop in the Tirol Valley, particularly Innsbruck, one of the most attractive cities in Austria.

3. Architectural Gems

Aside from its natural attractions, you will see many man-made wonders when you visit Austria, which include medieval grand palaces like the Hofburg Imperial Palace and Schonbrunn Palace, where the Habsburgs once lived, the Belvedere Palace and Arstetten Castle, as well as cutting-edge modern architecture like the Kunsthaus Graz and the stations on the Tirol railway. You will also find many interesting monasteries, like the St. Peter Abbey in Salzburg. In fact, Salzburg has many fascinating examples of Baroque architecture for you to enjoy.

4. The Sound of Music

The Baroque gems in its World Heritage Old Town are not the only reason why tourists come to Salzburg, though. In fact, a large percentage of tourists visit Austria and Salzburg, in particular, to retrace the steps of the Von Trapp family from the well-loved Sound of Music film and musical. Take a picture in front of the Mirabell Gardens where the famous Do-re-mi scene was filmed, take a stroll on the banks of the lake of Leopoldskron Castle, then visit the Nonnberg Abbey, one of the oldest abbeys in Austria where Maria was a novice. Don’t forget to drop by the Mondsee Church as well, where Maria and Captain von Trapp got married in the film, or the village of St. Gilgen where Maria sings her first lines.

5. Austrian Cuisine

Crisp apple strudel is an Austrian delicacy mentioned in ‘The Sound of Music’, and is easy to find in restaurants once you visit Austria. Indeed, Austrian cuisine may not be one of the most popular in the world, but it definitely has its own distinct great taste with Italian, German and Hungarian influences. Aside from apple strudel, other notable Austrian specialties include tafelspitz (boiled beef served with apple sauce), kaiserschmarrn (fluffy pancakes), sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot filling) and Linzertorte (red currant pie), considered the oldest cake in the world. For drinks, enjoy a glass of excellent Austrian wine or a cup of Viennese coffee or hot chocolate.

In all of Austria few cities compare to Salzburg when it comes to beauty, history, and grandeur. The gorgeous landscape overlooking the Alps has made an impression on countless people and the incredible baroque era architecture makes Salzburg both pristine and fascinating to look at. The famed musical “The Sound of Music” was set in Salzburg and anybody who has seen Julie Andrews running in front of those glorious mountains already knows just how incredible the natural beauty of Salzburg’s area is.

With just over two hundred thousand people residing in Salzburg, the city is not too crowded yet just large enough to command all the amenities that city life provides. Chief among these is the much-loved Salzburg Festival. This music-themed celebration regularly draws thousands to the city each summer. Unlike other festivals, this huge event goes on for over a month as concerts and dramatic performances enthrall citizens and tourists alike with its grandeur and scale. The Salzburg Easter Festival is another big attraction, though on a smaller scale than the Salzburg Festival. Each Easter, thousands of people gather to pay homage to the resurrection of Christ and many of them complement the festival with a visit to the much adored Nonnberg Abbey, one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries still standing.

Though Salzburg’s natural and man-made beauty is well documented, perhaps the best indication of its power to inspire brilliance in the arts is made evident by the vast amount of world-famous individuals who were born in the city. The classical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg and he regularly visited his hometown to revel in its splendor. He and his entire family are buried in a private plot in the city and his many fans visit the site each year to pay homage to his brilliance. Also available to Mozart fans is the composer’s birthplace. This site has been wisely preserved by the Salzburg city council and it looks much the same today as it did when Wolfgang was but a pup. The famed Maria Von Trapp also called Salzburg home until the Nazi invasion and her story is the basis for The Sound of Music. Theodor Herzl, Thomas Bernhard, Franz Gruber, and many more famous composers, artists, and writers were born in Salzburg as well.

Salzburg recently attempted to become the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics but it ended up placing second behind Vancouver. Vancouver’s beauty notwithstanding, it is a great loss to athletes around the world that they won’t be able to compete for the gold in one of the most gorgeous cities on the face of the planet. This loss shouldn’t be seen as too big a blow, though, since Olympic host cities typically have to revamp their infrastructure in order to accommodate a large audience and massive media coverage. Perhaps it is better to keep Salzburg’s perfect set-up intact instead of tinkering with what is easily one of the most perfectly constructed cities ever built in terms of both historical importance and brilliant craftsmanship.

Austria is one of the countries in Europe having a rich and dramatic history, and its landscapes are dotted with historical landmarks such as medieval fortresses, castles, churches, etc. Moreover, Austria is also home to many great people from composers to military leaders, from poets to musicians. Because of this, you can indeed expect a fantastic vacation should you go and visit this place, so here are ten great places to go to in Austria:

1.) Hofburg Imperial Palace

The Hofburg Imperial Palace was built during the late 13th century and still stands today as a testament to the power and wealth of this mighty political family. In this palace, you will find the offices of the President of Austria, the countries international convention center, the famous Spanish Riding School and its Lipizzan stallions. There are also museums that are open to the public.

2.) Grossglockner Alpine Road

The Grossglockner alpine road is one of the most visited alpine roads in the continent. It ends in the highest mountain in Austria where its largest glacier is also located. In fact, since the mid 1930’s, this famous road has been visited by over 50 million people eager to see its spectacular views.

3.) Carnutinum Archaeological Museum

Carnutinum was once the most important of Roman towns in the Alps. It was founded sometime during the 6th century AD and has seen about 5000 inhabitants under the Roman Empire. Today, this town houses the largest collection of Roman artifacts ranging from Roman jewelry, roman arms and coins, landmarks such as amphitheatres and baths as well as other religious objects from the Roman religion of Mithras worship.

4.) Eisriesenwelt Caves

The Eisriesenwelt caves showcase extraordinary rock and ice formations, majestic towers and columns and even an underground glacier and waterfall. It was discovered sometime during the late 1870’s by Anton Posselt and since then has attracted thousands of tourists from all around the world. Today, it is considered as one of the largest ice cave in the world.

5.) Graz

The Graz is perhaps the most famous center for culture, architecture and art. In fact, it was been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the historical value of the place. Here, tourists will also get to experience the vibrant nightlife that Gratz is well known for.

6.) Salzburg

Salzburg is well known for its number of churches. In fact, it is also named as the Rome of the North because of this. Aside from this, Salzburg is also known for its old streets, festivals, the Mirabell Palace, the hohensalzburg Fortress and the Mozarteum.

7.) Innsbruck

Innsbruck is well known as a vacation destination in winter. This is because the place is situated between two imposing mountainsides ideal for winter sports such as snowboarding and skiing. Not only that, Innsbruck is also a popular tourist destination even in the summer months because it is ideal for mountaineering and ecotours.

8.) Vienna

Vienna is one of the greatest and most historic cities in Western Europe. It is birthplace of Austria’s most famous rulers and some of the most famous composers of classical music. Vienna also boasts of such tourist destinations as St Stephen’s Cathedral and Vienna Woods.

9.) The Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future is called the Ars Electronica. This museum is also well known for its stunning collection of modern technology. As such, this has become a tourist spot.

10.) Hohe Tauern National Park

One of the last natural wilderness areas in Europe, this park is well known for its flora and fauna. Here you will see animals such as Mountain goats, ibex, chamois, a wide variety of birds, sheep, etc. You also get to enjoy nature at its finest with your loved ones.

Kitzbuhel, Austria, for our American friends, is the Vail or Aspen of Europe, but with a twist. Situated in the Austrian Alps, it is at once a pricey ski resort town and an old, medieval hamlet with a fairytale charm and cobblestone alleys lined with brightly painted storefronts and trendy little boutiques and cafes, where the promenading crowd dons furs rather than ski wear. It is a place, particularly its walled town center, that lends itself to walking around and lingering, soaking up an ambiance that is both quaint and upscale.

But if you are visiting Kitzbuhel for the first time and wish to take in the sights, here are the city’s ‘Top 7′ attractions.

1. Bergahnmuseum

The Bergahnmuseum, or the cable car museum, is located at the world-famous 2 mile-long (3.5 km) Hahnenkamm Ski Run in Kitzbuhel, on the top station of the gondola lift. It has exhibits documenting the history and technology of ski lift construction. For ski buffs, the museum also offers a simulated run down the Streif ski racecourse. The museum is open daily.

2. Heimatmuseum

The most interesting thing about the Heimatmuseum is that it is housed in the city’s oldest structure, a restored 13th-century home. The museum is devoted to the history of Kitzbuhel and has displays of old photographs, mining tools and other artifacts. Museum admission is 6.50 euros each, and the museum is open daily except Sunday.

3. Bauernhausmuseum (Hinterobernau)

Bauernhausmuseum, also known as the Hinterobernau Farmhouse Museum, is located just to the north of town on Romerweg. It offers visitors a peek at a traditional 16th-century farmhouse, fully furnished and equipped, just as it would have been 400 years ago. The museum is open daily from June to September, and by appointment during winter.

4. Pfarrkirche

Pfarrkirche, situated on a knoll just north of the town center, is a delightful 15th century church. It’s well worth a visit, if only to see its Baroque interior. The church is open daily.

5. Wildpark Tirol

Wildpark Tirol, a wildlife park of sorts, is situated along the road to the Jochberg Tor, just 4 km (2.5 miles) outside the Kitzbuhel city limits. The centerpiece of the park is a walking trail that winds its way through enclosures of yaks, lynx, deer, boars, ibex, marmots, ducks and other birds and beasts. The park is open year-round.

6. St. Johann

A bustling yet charming Tyrolean village in a stunning alpine setting, St. Johann is situated just around the Kitzbuhelerhorn Mountain from Kitzbuhel. The chief attractions here are the lovely, two-towered, onion-domed parish church, Maria Himmelfahrt, that dates from 1723; the village’s tiny market square dominated by a wall of frescoed houses; and the ski area where the main lift, the Harschbichl gondola, climbs the mountain from a St. Johann residential area.

7. Soll

The Tyrolean village of Soll, also a stone’s throw from Kitzbuhel, offers a worthwhile detour. The village clusters around its Rococo-style 1765 landmark church, perched on a hill in the center of town, overlooking a lively pedestrian area with shops and restaurants. Soll’s principal draws, however, are its labyrinth of walking trails, more than 700 kilometers of them, and SkiWelt, Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, with 250 km of groomed runs and 93 lifts. Another highlight here is a walk through Hexenwald, or Witch’s Forest, and up the mountain to the summit of Hohe Salve, where you can visit Salven Chapel, the highest chapel in Austria at 1829 meters, and also enjoy panoramic views of 70 alpine peaks.

Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol region has a rich skiing pedigree, having twice hosted the winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. Innsbruck itself is not a ski resort; it’s a city sat in the mountains that is surrounded by eight smallish ski areas, most of which are less than an hour’s drive away.

The closest ski area to Innsbruck is Seegrube Nordkette, the slopes and lifts of which can be seen from the city centre. The area offers some steep terrain (it claims to have one of the steepest pisted runs in Europe) and the large cable car will quickly whisk you up from 575m to 2255m in just a few minutes.

Axamer Lizum is one of the most renowned in the area, approximately a 45 minute drive from Innsbruck. Though small, the terrain is steep and offers plenty of backcountry opportunities for the adventurous. Especially ideal for freestyle skiers and snowboarders there is a terrain park with rails and a half pipe. In terms of après ski, there’s not a lot going on in Axamer Lizum aside from a couple of small on-slope restaurants where a hearty platter of Wiener schnitzel can be devoured. There is also a small tepee at the base of the slope serving steaming mugs of gluwein – an ideal way to round off a day on the slopes. Those looking for a night on the tiles should either head to the nearby village of Axams, or back to base in Innsbruck.

Though they are not linked together via a single lift system, taken collectively, the Innsbruck area offers over 200 trials covering over 300 miles of terrain, most of which take less than an hour to reach from Innsbruck. It is possible to use public transport to reach the ski areas, but as car hire in Austria is reasonably priced, you’re better off getting your own wheels, which enables you to be much more flexible about when and where you go.

The small, local nature of the ski areas means there is a real rustic charm and a friendly hospitable environment to the skiing here – something which has been lost in the bigger and more famous mountain resorts of the world. Most of the ski areas are close to small alpine villages, dotted with timber chalets, which represent the traditional Alpine lifestyle that has changed very little over centuries.

If you’re looking for a ski-in, ski-out snow holiday, don’t bother with Innsbruck. But if you want a ski trip that offers the excitement and services of a city, with the variety and choice and authenticity of a number of small, local ski areas, then a road trip around the Innsbruck area is an ideal winter holiday.