innsbruck snow report
Snow report date: 10/3/10
| Last Snow | Valley | Mountain | Lifts Open | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07.03.10 | 0cm | 135cm | 5 of 5 | cloudy |
innsbruck skiing
The big news for skiing above Innsbruck is that access has been much improved by the building of a new funicular railway starting just near the Imperial Palace at the Congress Center in the centre of the city. The lifts to the Hungerburg and the Nordkette have now both been modernised, and the historically important top station has been renovated.
The official opening of the new system is scheduled for November 2007 and the company operating the ski area claim that only 25 minutes is needed to go from Innsbruck city centre to an altitude of 2330 metres.
Innsbruck's skiing is reached either by the Hungerburg mountain railway, or via bus or car to the Hungerburg area (parking is limited and access is via steep and narrow roads). The Nordkettenbahn cable car continues to the Seegrube at 1905 metres altitude.
The cable car building exits onto what looks like a mountain hut terrace, with plenty of non-skiers enjoying the sunny views across the valley to the Patscherkofel in good weather.
The extremely short lift off to the left is mainly used by snowboarders for their Skylinepark area, although there is a shared run behind the main pipe which can be used by early intermediate skiers.
Otherwise it's a case of red, black or ski routes, as there is nothing else that is suitable for the more nervous skier.
The run dropping directly from the terrace (the Kasermandl) is an easyish short black which links to the base of the Seegrube chairlift for a return to the Seegrube. A red run leads from behind the building to the same spot.
Above the Seegrube the two famous couloirs of the Hafelekar ((the Karrine and the Seilbahnrinne) are easily visible. Signs at the Hafelekar lift reassuringly point out that sections of both the off-piste ski routes are extremely steep and that falls can be fatal in bad conditions. Access to the Karrinne is via a somewhat exposed walk along the mountain ridge.
Under the base of the Seegrube chairlift, two lengthy red runs through the trees lead to the bottom of the cable car and the Hungerburg area.
It should be noted that the Nordkette is very popular with ski tourers, thus there are often ski tracks leading outside the marked ski area. However, the Nordkette off-piste can be extremely dangerous in high avalanche risk conditions and the utmost of care and attention should (as always) be taken when unfamiliar with the area - especially with regard to areas closed by the lift company.
innsbruck skiing photos
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