48 Hours in Hopfgarten, Austria

Combining some of the world’s best ski runs, with some of the world’s most stunning scenery, the village of Hopfgarten is the embodiment of the winter wonderland. Situated in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps, and right next to the ‘Wild Kaiser’ mountain range, the area boasts 250kms of interconnecting piste, fairytale Gasthofs and remarkable Austrian cuisine, providing the perfect setting for a winter getaway!

Hours 00.00 – 24.00

Morning

Start the day the Austrian way, with a strong coffee and a pastry. A great place for breakfast is Gasthof Rundell, and its only two minutes walk from the gondola station.

If a days skiing or boarding is what you are after, then grab your gear and make your way to the gondolas and head up the mountain to hit the slopes. Lift passes can be bought at the gondola station. If you require equipment and/or lessons, there are numerous stores in the gondola complex where you can find what you need. The ‘Wild Kaiser’ runs are all interlinked, and it is easy to ski from one village to the next. This is a great way to see many of the small villages surrounding Hopfgarten, and adds a little adventure to an already exciting day of ski. If this sounds like you be sure to ask one of the guides for the best routes and villages to visit.

For those who don’t want to hit the slopes, or the weather has closed the piste, go exploring in Hopfgarten. The massive church that dominates the village is a must see, as well as the traditional houses that have been present for over 500 years. For information on the village, as well as excursions be sure to visit the Tourismusverband (visitor information center), located off the main Hopfgarten car park. They can provide you with hiking and skiing maps, bus and train timetables, as well as tours to Innsbruck and other neighbouring cities. There are many scenic trips that they can advise and book for you, such as trips to waterfalls, glaciers, and many of the other natural wonders present in the Austrian Alps. Husky rides and Cross Country skiing are also available.

Visiting Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol, makes for a fantastic day trip. Trains regularly depart from Hopfgarten to Worglhauptbahnhof, and then to Innsbruck. The 50 minute train ride will take you through some of the best scenery that the region has to offer. The Innsbruck ‘old city’ is an amazing place, and full of history and great restaurants. Take a walk down the cobbled streets and see where the Austrian kings used to stand and view their subjects from the ‘Goldene Dachl’. There are hundreds of small stands and stores along the streets selling everything from gifts and souvenirs thought to paintings and sheet music made especially for you!

Afternoon

For those on the mountain, the Berggastofs (mountain gasthofs) are a great place to take in the view and some great food. From hearty goulash soups and schnitzels to Jagermeister and gluhwein, the gasthofs are the perfect place to warm up and relax before an afternoon of skiing or snowboarding, or wind down after a morning on the mountains.

For lunch in the village, dining in one of Hopfgarten’s many traditional gasthofs makes a perfect place to eat. Gasthof Oberbrau, located on the Martkgasse has many special dishes as well as a great wine cellar. Many gasthofs serve their own special dishes which have been passed on from generation to generation. Also, you can find a range of home made beer and schnapps at the gasthofs. The locals are fiercely proud of their home made liquor, and it is sure way to banish the winter chills!

From 12pm – 3pm, the vast majority of the stores in the village are closed. This is the perfect time to go for lunch. ‘Salvena’ is a great place to eat, and its located right next to the main car park. Once the shops have opened, there are plenty of traditional Austrian souvenirs to shop for. A Jagerhut (hunter’s hat) is a perfect, affordable souvenir from the Tyrol!

Evening

A must for everyone is the night time sleigh ride through the magical Penningberg forest, with a stop at a mountain Gasthof along the way. This is a very romantic trip, and provides a very traditional way of viewing the forest at night. Be sure to dress warm!

After a long day on the mountain, or exploring the Tyrol, a warm and inviting Gasthof with a hearty Austrian dinner is a perfect way to prepare for the evenings festivities. Here you can sample Tyrolean delicacies such as a Kasespatzle or a Tiroler Grostl. Alternatives to Austrian food can be found at ‘Eat n Beat’ on the Marktgasse. They have a great range of Mexican dishes as well as salads. There are plenty of Italian restaurants to found, serving excellent pizza and pasta.

Scattered around Hopfgarten are a number of bars and restaurants with traditional schnapps stands. These are the night time gathering places for all the visitors to Hopfgarten. Here you can sample a whole range of Austrian schnapps, as well as mingle with people from all over the world! These stands are the perfect place to have a drink and a chat with fellow skiers and snowboarders, and get to know some of the people who will be sharing the mountain with you.

Hopfgarten has a number of great venues for those looking for a night out. The Silver Bullet and Ambiente are fantastic bars and they regularly have planned events such as karaoke and theme parties. The Silver Bullet is an Australian themed bar and boasts a dart board and a pool table. Ambiente has a nice cocktail list, and is much more of a locals bar. It’s a great place to mingle with Austrians, and they relish to the opportunity to speak English with you. To party until morning, O2 is the place to go. All these bars are located on the Schmalzgasse.

Hours 24.00 – 48.00

Morning

Depending on what the weather brings, its time for breakfast and to get on those skis or snowboard and head back to the snow!

If you have an adventurous streak in you, give tandem paragliding a go. Rather than ski the mountains, jump off them, and enjoy the most remarkable views of the beautiful Austrian Alps.

Day-trippers may look further afield to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, or to Kitzbuhel, known as the ‘Monte Carlo’ of the Tyrol, famous for its gastronomic delights, casino and shopping. Kitzbuhel has one of the most famous ski runs in the world, and is home to the renowned Hahnenkamm ski race. Kitzbuhel is also home to some of the best shopping in the region for designer and luxury goods. Have a look at some of the jewellery made by the Faberge Company, or have lunch on the Vorderstadt or Hinterstadt, the two main streets of Kitzbuhel.

Afternoon

For those looking to branch out into other winter sports, give ice skating a try! The lake is situated at Salvenaland which is about 5 minutes from Hopfgarten, and has a massive rink to give this traditional sport a try on. Afterwards, you can have a drink and a snack at the gasthof right next to the lake.

If all the skiing and snowboarding has taken its toll on your body, head to the sauna! Saunas are aplenty in Hopfgarten, and are a perfect way to relieve those aches and pains.

Evening

For the final evening in Hopfgarten, head back up the mountain for a meal at one of the mountain gasthof. The views from the mountain allow you to view the lights of all the small villages around the ‘Wild Kaiser’ range, and you might be lucky enough to experience live, traditional Austrian music.