La Stubai valley (in German Stubaital) is located in the region of Austrian Tyrol, crossed by the river Ruetz. It is a 40 km long valley a short distance from Innsbruck. Before the town of Fulpmes, the villages lie on terraces on the river or on both sides of it; from Fulpmes onwards these terraces unite to create the base of the valley. Other municipalities in the valley include Schonberg im Stubaital, Mieders, Telfes, Fulpnes and Neustift im Stubaital.
At the end of Stubai valley is the glacier of the same name, the largest glacier ski area in theAustria (in German known as Stubai Glacier). It is an exciting area that guarantees abundant snow in addition to an offer that is truly suitable for everyone, including snowpark and gourmet cuisine for the discerning palate (here is the highest awarded restaurant in the Alps, the Schaufelspitz restaurant). Children and non-skiers alike will enjoy a wonderful day visiting the ice cave, which is located 30 meters below the piste near the Eisgrat mountain station.
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Ski holidays in Stubai
One of the top favorite destinations for a ski holiday. The ideal place for winter sports lovers is undoubtedly the Stubai Glacier, located at the bottom of an incredibly beautiful valley and considered the largest in the whole of Austria.
Stubai is able to satisfy any kind of skier, from the less experienced to the great professionals, and which involves the practice of multiple disciplines, from alpine skiing to snowboarding, through tobogganing and simple snowshoeing. On some routes it is even possible to complete incredible slalom trials by taking advantage of the free timing service, as happens on the Daunferner track.
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Stubaital ski resorts
I 4 ski resorts in the Stubai Valley (Stubaital) extend for kilometers along the Alpine mountain range of the same name, subsection of the Rhaetian Alps, which is located exactly between Italy and Austria, about 40 kilometers from Innsbruck.
There are 114 ski lifts in the area and they take visitors over 3200 meters in height. The largest and most famous area is that of Stubaier Gletscher, which literally translated means Stubai Glacier.
The ski area Stubai Glacier it is made up of 34 runs equally divided into 11 blue runs, 7 red runs and 3 black runs, served by 26 lifts including cable cars, ski lifts and chair lifts, the most modern of which is the Rotadl chair lift, equipped with 8 heated seats. The altitude of the Stubaier Glacier guarantees natural snow from October to June and the ski offer is really suitable for everyone, including the most experienced skiers, who can descend a good 10 kilometers from the Wildspitz mountain station, located at 3210 meters above sea level, to the valley station which is located at 1750 meters .
The other districts of the valley are smaller than that of the glacier but offer interesting diversions for those who want to spend holidays in the snow in this locality.
- The first is silt 2000, a large ski area mainly suitable families, wide slopes exposed to the sun, as well as huts and refuges for refreshment after a day spent in the snow. It is the best destination for those with children.
- The district of Elfer (Elferbahnen) instead it is known as the Tyrolean mountain to go sledding, but it is also a ski area for demanding skiers, and its steep slopes make it the ideal area for paragliding enthusiasts as well.
- Finally, for skiing with the family, there is nothing better than a visit to the Serlesbahnen, where they also find night sleigh rides, walks to do with snowshoes and winter hiking at the foot of the Serles massif.
In short, it is not a simple ski area but a valley able to offer different areas where to do different activities on the snow.
Snowpark
Stubai is excellent not only for piste skiers but also for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Thanks to the presence of modern and fun snow parks, the most important? Surely it is Stubai Zoo. This is positioned exactly at the level of the Gaisskarferner slope, from which it is possible to enjoy naturalistic glimpses of rare beauty. The Stubai glacier snow park is one of the largest in Austria and one of the most exclusive in the world.
In addition to the large snow park where professionals from all over the world ride, at the gamsgarten chairlift, there is the BIG Family Slopestyle. A snow park for beginners who want to start facing the first obstacles and the first simple jumps, structures within the reach of those who begin to face the magical world of freestyle.
Freeride
Even if the entire Stubai valley offers several points where you can practice freeriding, the glacier is certainly the best destination for lovers of off-piste and fresh snow. It's easy to understand that snow never fails here, it arrives in the early autumn months and abounds until the early summer months, but there is another feature that makes the Stubai glacier a wonderful place for freeriding: its extension.
It is difficult to find skiable glaciers as extensive as the Stubai one, here, in addition to the many slopes, there are 9 tracks indicated for freeride, unbeaten routes and dedicated to the more adventurous skiers. From an altitude of 3000 to the start of the lifts 1600 metres
Spas
Once the skis are stored, it is possible to have fun in a thousand and one ways. The valley is full of attractions starting from the numerous wellness centers, such as the Stubay structure, where you can find 3 indoor swimming pools, various saunas, slides, a Turkish bath, steam cabins and whirlpool tubs, in which to immerse yourself to regenerate spirit and body.
For families with children
The slopes of the Stubai valley are also suitable for family holidays, with offers that even include the possibility of skiing free for children under 10 years. At the disposal of the little ones there is also a dedicated ski school, the Big Family area, the kindergarten, the children's restaurant and many other tailor-made activities for the very young guests.
The offers are not limited to the ski pass, there are numerous holiday offers well-prepared accommodation facilities in welcoming families. L'special welcome for families with children starting from the rooms, to the play areas, baby sitting services on and off the snow, meals for children. Not to mention the ancillary but equally important services such as free public transport and important discounts at the various refuges in the area.
What to do for those who don't ski
Tobogganing
Those looking for sheer fun can then storm the 12 dedicated slopes sled lovers, many of which are also illuminated at night and distributed over wells 43 kilometers, to form the largest toboggan complex in Austria.
Cave in the glacier
Unmissable then the so-called “Ice Cave”, over 30 meters deep and located near the Eisgrat station in the heart of the Stubai Glacier. The creation of the cave was possible thanks to the collaboration with the scholars of the University of Innsbruck, the latter a city of incredible charm and certainly worth a visit.
Snow excursions
Snow excursions allow you to calmly explore the entire snowy area of the Stubai Alps and immerse yourself in the unspoiled nature of this vast Austrian area. There are several destinations, with various routes suitable for all ages. Excursions often lead to huts, shelters and typical restaurants of the area, where you can taste the classic cheeses and cured meats, dumplings, various types of goulash, kaiserschmarrn, donuts and excellent strudels in the warmth of a stube while it is snowing outside…
- Snowshoeing on the glacier
With ski resorts you reach the Eisgrat mountain station where a path on the snow to be done with snowshoes starts, about 300 meters in altitude and 45 of walking with snowshoes you reach the Gamsgarten station. From the gamsgarten station you can continue as far as the Bodele Hutte refuge, the route offers a total of 2 hours of walking between the round trips immersed in the fresh snow, the ice and the imposing rock walls of the Stubai Glacier.
- Snowshoeing in the valley
Glacier snowshoeing is just one of the many offered by the great Stubai Valley. Schlick 2000 allows you to take different routes that take you up to medium altitudes with the ski lifts and allow you to access fabulous itineraries towards the pastures and huts of the area. Even in the valley there are several paths to do even without snowshoes (depending on the amount of snow on the ground) that lead to the discovery of the alpine villages of Stubai.
Ice climbing
Climbing enthusiasts can test their skills on the 20m high ice tower. Open from December to May, it is available upon request with an introductory course for the less experienced.
Cost of the holiday
A holiday in stubai costs about the same as a holiday in any average ski resort in South Tyrol. The price of the daily ski pass at the glacier is around 50 euros per person, while if you opt for one of the smaller ski resorts the price goes down. You can also buy the ski pass which gives access to the whole valley but in that case the price obviously increases.
It should be emphasized that the price of the ski pass remains unchanged during the winter season, so if 50 euros may seem a lot for a day of skiing in November, it is not so if we consider that the price remains the same around Christmas, a time when in Italy prices skyrocket.
The accommodation facilities are of excellent quality and this allows you to find excellent accommodation even in 3-star hotels or better still in B&Bs and holiday apartments, saving quite a bit but without giving up anything.
Also important are the discounts for those staying more than 2 nights, discounts that do not only concern the ski pass but which also allow you to obtain advantages at refuges and restaurants in the area. The free transport with the valley buses is a further option to save money, also considering the more than 40km of the valley.
Instead, attention should be paid to the cost of lunches and dinners in refuges especially in the glacier, it is always good to look at the price list before ordering to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The beauty of the area, the modern facilities and the numerous services make Stubai one of the best ski areas in terms of quality/price ratio.
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